Scenic Drive #1: Beautiful Flowers of Craggy Gardens
Why go? Craggy Gardens is a wonderful place this time of year to take in the breathtaking views of the mountains bursting with the purple and pink blossoms of the rhododendron during June. Take along a picnic lunch to enjoy the cool, fresh mountain air.
Directions: From Asheville, go north on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 20 miles to milepost 367.6 or stop at milepost 364.6 at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center. It's a short steep hike to the 5,900 foot summit of Craggy Gardens, but the views are spectacular.
Scenic drive time: 50 minutes round-trip
Scenic Drive #2: River Views with French Broad Overview to Marshall
Why go? N.C. 251 was built along old Indian trading paths, which the Indians used to cross through the mountains to trading posts and villages in the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys. Over the years, the river cut away at the rock valley walls leaving a relatively flat river bed. For the Indians, and later the settlers, river beds were the easiest places to build paths, roads and railroads. Look for mountain laurel and other wildflowers as you drive.
Directions: Take U.S. 19-23 north out of Asheville. Take the Weaverville exit to begin a 14-mile scenic drive along the French Broad Overview by driving along U.S. 25-70 Bypass toward Marshall. The road winds along the French Broad River, which was named for the French who inhabited the region in the 18th century. Turn left at the first stoplight onto Monticello Road, which is also State Road 1727.
Follow Monticello Road for three miles through a rural residential area until it ends at N.C. 251. Turn right onto N.C. 251 near the town of Alexander. Continue on N.C. 251 after it meets with U.S. 25-70 Business until you come to Marshall. This little town is the seat of Madison County and was named for Chief Justice John Marshall in 1852. Stop in Marshall for lunch or have a picnic along the river. To return to Asheville, you can retrace your path along the French Broad Overview or follow US 25-70 Business until it reaches US 25-70 Bypass. Follow the bypass to U.S. 19-23 at Weaverville.
Scenic drive time: 1 hour round-trip
Scenic Drive #3: Soul of Music Riding Black Mountain Rag to Chimney Rock
Why go? You will follow the Black Mountain Rag, a scenic route named for an old fiddle tune about the dark green Lauada Firs that give the Black Mountains their name. In musical terms, a "rag" is a tune with multiple twists and curves up and down the scales. This scenic route twists and turns through the mountains like the music itself.
Directions: Take exit 64 off Interstate 40 at Black Mountain. Coming from Asheville, turn right off the exit ramp at Black Mountain and follow N.C. 9 south towards Bat Cave. The road winds along the Rocky Broad River, joining Hickory Nut Creek near the intersection of U.S. 64, U.S. 74 and N.C. 9 at Bat Cave. Turn left and follow N.C. 9/ U.S. 64 east.
You might want to stop for lunch in the town of Bat Cave, so called for a nearby cave inhabited by bats and other rare mammals, or you can continue on to Chimney Rock. At Chimney Rock Park, you can hike to the top of the Chimney overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure or down to the base of Hickory Nut Falls. Look for indian paint brush, galax, white irisette and other wildflowers. Return to Asheville via U.S. 74.
Scenic drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes round-trip
Scenic Drive #4: Climbing and Hiking at Graveyard Fields
Why go? To see Looking Glass Rock, a huge granite mountain that is popular with rock climbers, to enjoy some mountain hiking or have a picnic with an amazing view.
Directions: Head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Graveyard Fields at milepost 419. Along the way, stop at milepost 417 to view Milepost 418 offers an overlook of Graveyard Fields and the beautiful Yellowstone Falls. Here you can hike a 2.3-mile trail to the falls for a scenic lunch. From Graveyard Fields, continue on to Devil's Courtyard (milepost 422.4) for a more challenging 0.5 hike to the "Courthouse," which offers a 360-degree view of the mountains.
Scenic drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes round-trip
Scenic Drive #5: Cradle of Forestry & Looking Glass Rock
Why go? On this drive you will pass the Cradle of Forestry, which is a great place to stop and learn more about the birth of forestry in America. Several hiking trails are available on the property.
Directions: From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway south. At milepost 412, exit left onto Highway 276 south through Pisgah National Forest. Continue south on Highway 276. If you are interested in a hike, turn right at the fish hatchery and continue until you see the Looking Glass Rock trailhead and parking area on your left. This 3.1-mile trail is rated moderate and is marked by yellow blazes. Return to 276 south, passing the 85-foot Looking Glass Falls. You may want to stop for lunch at one of the many scenic picnic spots. The Pisgah Ranger Station, located further down Highway 276, can provide more information on activities in the area. Continue on 276 until you reach Highway 280. Follow 280 east back to Asheville. Exit to I-26 back into town.
Scenic drive time : 1 hour and 45 minutes round-trip
Scenic Drive #6: Watch Flowers Bloom on the Lake Tomahawk & Montreat Drive
Why go? This is a nice place for a picnic lunch and a stroll around the lake. Time your visit for early evening for a beautiful sight as a large patch of evening primrose begins to bloom before your eyes as the sun sets.
Directions: From Asheville take I-240 east to I-40 east. Take the Black Mountain exit (exit 64). Turn left on Highway 9. This road will turn into Broadway and Montreat Road. Follow Montreat Road about 2 miles. Shortly after you enter the Montreat Conference Center gates, you will see Lake Susan on your right. Stop at the Convention Center to pick up a map of hiking trails in the area.
Retrace your drive on Montreat Road until you see Laurel Circle Drive. Turn right and continue until you reach Lake Tomahawk.
Leave Lake Tomahawk on Laurel Circle Drive. Return to Asheville by taking Montreat Road back to I-40 west, to I-240 west.
Scenic drive time: 1 hour round-trip
Scenic Drive #7: Grandfather Mountain
Why go? View the native animal habitats, enjoy hiking and picnicking and test your courage on the Mile High Swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain.
Directions: From Asheville take I-40 to Highway 70 at the Old Fort exit. Continue east on 70 to 221 north. Take 221 to the Linville Falls area. Pass the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the intersection of 181 and 105, look for a billboard directing you to Grandfather Mountain.
Scenic drive time: Three hours
Scenic Drive #8: North Carolina Arboretum
Why go? Venture out to the North Carolina Arboretum for a calming day outdoors. Situated on 424-acres, the Arboretum is surrounded by the 6,000-plus acres of the Bent Creek Research and Demonstration Forest. Take a hike or bike along one of the nature trails, visit the state-of-the art Greenhouse complex or attend one of the educational programs and workshops.
Directions: From Interstate 26 east take exit 33. Go south on NC Highway 191 for about two miles and follow directional signs to the North Carolina Arboretum. Frederick Law Olmsted Way winds along Bent Creek to the Arboretum's core gardens. Throughout the spring and summer, the Arboretum is filled with various flowers, as well as blossoming shrubs and trees.
On your return trip access the Blue Ridge Parkway going north to Highway 74A. You may want to stop at the Folk Art Center before heading back into Asheville via I-240 West.
Scenic drive time: 45 minutes round-trip
Scenic Drive #9: Beaver Lake & Botanical Gardens
Why go? To see the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, a 10-acre nonprofit nature preserve dedicated to conserving and displaying the native flora of the Southern Appalachians.
Directions: From downtown Asheville, take I-240 east to Charlotte Street. Turn left on Charlotte Street and then left again on Edwin Place. Continue on Edwin until it turns into Kimberly Avenue past the stop light. At the end of Kimberly Avenue, turn left on Beaverdam Road and then right on Merrimon Avenue. Beaver Lake will be on your left. Stop here to enjoy the sanctuary and lake. From the lake turn right back onto Merrimon Avenue. Turn right on Weaver Boulevard to visit the Botanical Gardens, located next to the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Return to downtown Asheville on Merrimon Avenue.
Scenic drive time: 10 minutes round-trip
Scenic Drive #10: Hot Springs
Why go? Hot Springs, named for the hot mineral springs there, is a haven for those seeking outdoor adventure, healing and relaxation, a romantic getaway or family vacation.
Directions: From Asheville, follow U.S. Highway 19/23 north. Take the Marshall exit to U.S. Highway 25/70. Stay on 25/70 until the highway turns toward the left between Marshall and Hot Springs. Immediately before this turn look for a place to pull off the road on your left. Stop for a leisurely walk along the Laurel River Trail. This trail, which lies on a flat railroad bed, follows three miles of the Laurel River to the French Broad River. After your hike, you might want to go into Hot Springs for dinner or a soak in the mineral baths. To get to Hot Springs, get back on 25/70 and travel five miles. From Hot Springs, return on Highway 209 south to Highway 63 south.
Scenic drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes round-trip
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