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Blue Ridge Parkway to Heintooga Ridge
Maintained roads
LOTS of scenic stops and easy drive
I topped off fuel at the Ingles on Skyland Dr in Asheville then took Skyland west to 191 north to jump on the Blue Ridge. From there you are limited to 45 mph but it is a good speed to enjoy rubbernecking the views. Pisgah Mountain picnic area is a good halfway spot.
Shortly after Hwy 19, look for the Balsam Mountain (not Black Balsam) turn and Heintooga Ridge Road on the right. This takes you to a picnic area at the border of the Blue Ridge Pkwy and Great Smoky Mountains NP. There is a Masonic monument here with stones from all over the world; from the Alamo to Antarctica. Continue down this road to Heintooga Round Bottom Rd, a 1 way gravel track through the forest. It will eventually turn back into a 2 way and later become asphalt again. When you come to a T intersection, go left and stay on it into Cherokee. A right at the next T (Acquoni Rd) will bring you immediately to another T which is 441. Take another right and you can either take it into the Smokies to Gatlinburg, or look for the sign to jump back on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you are using the Gazatteer, this area falls into the corners and you will need to jump onto 4 different pages. No 4×4 needed, unless your rear tire slips into a deep mud rut when you make room for a horse trailer to pass. Be aware of large hairy deer, ie elk. We saw 3 on the loop (one velvet bull and 2 cows) and another back on asphalt. Lots of turkey too.
Maintained roads
LOTS of scenic stops and easy drive
I topped off fuel at the Ingles on Skyland Dr in Asheville then took Skyland west to 191 north to jump on the Blue Ridge. From there you are limited to 45 mph but it is a good speed to enjoy rubbernecking the views. Pisgah Mountain picnic area is a good halfway spot.
Shortly after Hwy 19, look for the Balsam Mountain (not Black Balsam) turn and Heintooga Ridge Road on the right. This takes you to a picnic area at the border of the Blue Ridge Pkwy and Great Smoky Mountains NP. There is a Masonic monument here with stones from all over the world; from the Alamo to Antarctica. Continue down this road to Heintooga Round Bottom Rd, a 1 way gravel track through the forest. It will eventually turn back into a 2 way and later become asphalt again. When you come to a T intersection, go left and stay on it into Cherokee. A right at the next T (Acquoni Rd) will bring you immediately to another T which is 441. Take another right and you can either take it into the Smokies to Gatlinburg, or look for the sign to jump back on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you are using the Gazatteer, this area falls into the corners and you will need to jump onto 4 different pages. No 4×4 needed, unless your rear tire slips into a deep mud rut when you make room for a horse trailer to pass. Be aware of large hairy deer, ie elk. We saw 3 on the loop (one velvet bull and 2 cows) and another back on asphalt. Lots of turkey too.
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