The Different NC Mountain Regions
The North Carolina mountains cover a lot of areas in western NC. Knowing about the different NC mountain regions is a must when it comes to visiting the area. Whether it’s a summer hiking trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, a trip to Chimney Rock State Park and Lake Lure, or a fall foliage expedition to the High Country, knowing the areas and where to go is a must.
The North Carolina mountains have one of the longest fall foliage seasons. The fall foliage season in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains can last as long as 5-6 weeks. There are a lot of different places one can go to see our fall foliage. Knowing when to go and where to go is crucial. And the mountains of North Carolina cover a lot of area in Western North Carolina. The GSMNP has over 522,000 acres in the park. The BRP is 469 miles long with a 45mph speed limit. Knowing the different regions and what attractions are in what regions will help one plan a better trip. To help those not familiar with the area, here is a short summary of the three main regions in the mountains of Western North Carolina and just some of their attractions.
The Great Smoky Mountains, The High Country and Asheville and The Foothills
NC Mountain Regions
The Appalachian Mountains are in the eastern United States and extended from Alabama to Canada. The Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina are both part of the larger Appalachian Mountains. The three regions of the mountainous section of North Carolina are the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee region; the Blue Ridge Mountains of the High Country; and the Blue Ridge Mountains at Asheville and the Foothills.
The Great Smoky Mountains and the GSM National Park are on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The High Country is the mountainous area north of Asheville (or I-40). The Foothills are the mountainous areas south of Asheville (or I-40).
The Great Smoky Mountains popular attractions include Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, Mt. LeConte, Cherokee, Bryson City, Fontana Dam, and the road referred to as The Tail of the Dragon. Of course, there is so much more to enjoy in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With all the varying elevations in the GSM peak colors during the fall foliage season takes place somewhere all during the month of October.
The High Country is the mountainous region north of Asheville. This region includes such cities and attractions such as Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, West Jefferson, Grandfather Mountain, the northern NC portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linn Cove Viaduct, and Mt. Mitchell. This area is also known for winter activities like snow skiing, snow tubing, and snowboarding.
Asheville and the Foothills are the mountainous regions around the city of Asheville and south of Asheville. Some of the attractions popular in this region include Biltmore Estate, the southern end of the BRP, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, DuPont State Park, Whiteside Mountain, Highlands, Cashiers, Nantahala National Forest, Black Mountain, and Brevard. This area also has a lot of nice waterfalls and scenic lakes.
Sections of Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is in North Carolina as well as Virginia. The parkway is 469 miles long. The parkway is marked by milepost (MP). The BRP begins at MP 0 in Front Royal, VA. Overlooks, visitor centers, campground and other stops are located between Milepost 0 and MP 215.0 in Virginia. The BRP crosses the NC/VA state line at MP216.9. The BRP in NC is from MP 217.5 to MP 469 in Cherokee just south of the GSMNP entrance. Overlooks, visitors centers, picnic areas, etc, are all marked in milepost. This makes it easy to locate any particular place one wants to get to on the 469 miles of the parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes close to Asheville. So part of the BRP is south of Asheville and part is north of Asheville. The city is a good reference point for planning a trip.
Popular BRP Milepost
Here are just some of the popular attractions on the parkway listed by their location and the milepost. Listed by regions: south of Asheville (Foothills); north of Asheville (The High Country) and in Virginia.
Linn Cove Viaduct Fall Foliage
BRP in the High Country north of Asheville and I-40
Here are just some of the popular areas; MP 382 Folk Art Center, MP 364.6 Craggy Gardens, MP 359.8 Balsam Gap Overlook, MP 329.8 View Table Rock, MP 316.4 Linville Falls, MP 306.6 Grandfather Mountain Overlook, MP 304.4 Linn Cove Viaduct, MP 302.8 Rough Ridge Overlook, MP 297.1 Julian Price Memorial Park, MP 294.1 Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, MP 289.8 Yadkin Valley Overlook, MP 266.8 View Mt. Jefferson, MP 258.6 New River State Park, MP 258.6 Northwest Trading Post, MP 241.1 Doughton Park, MP 233.7 Bullhead Mountain Overlook, and MP 217.5 Cumberland Knob.
BRP attractions in The Foothills south of Asheville or I-40
MP 393.8 French Broad Overlook, MP 403 Young Pisgah Ridge Tunnel, MP 403.6 Big Ridge Overlook, MP 407.6 Mount Pisgah Overlook and Trail Head, MP 408.6 Mount Pisgah, MP 410 Graveyard Fields Waterfalls, MP 411.9 View Cold Mountain, MP 417.0 View Looking Glass Rock, MP 418.8 Graveyard Fields and Loop Trail, MP 422.4 View Devil’s Courthouse Trail and Tunnel, MP 431.0 Haywood-Jackson Overlook, MP 431.4 Richland Balsam Overlook and Trail, MP 440.9 View Waynesville Overlook, MP 442.2 Balsam Gap Overlook, MP 451.2 Waterrock Knob and Trail, MP 468.4 View Oconaluftee River, MP 469.1 Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, NC.
Mabry Mill
BRP attractions in Virginia
MP 0 Shenandoah National Park, MP 5.8 Humpback Rocks, MP10.4 Rock Point Overlook, MP22.1 Bald Mountain Overlook, MP52.8 Bluff Mountain Overlook, MP59.7 Otter Creek Overlook, MP 86.0 Peaks of Otter, MP120.4 Roanoke Mountain, MP171.5 Chateau Morrisette Winery and Restaurant, MP176.1 Mabry Mill and restaurant, MP189.1 View Pilot Mountain, and MP213.0 Blue Ridge Music Center.
Biltmore Estate
Asheville, NC
Biltmore Estate is located in Asheville NC. Fall foliage color peaks in this area usually in late October due to the lower elevation. The elevation of Asheville is about 2,100 ft. The estate is not directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway. But it is easy to follow the signs and get there once you exit the parkway in the Asheville area. From the Blue Ridge Parkway take the US Highway 25 North exit; Biltmore is approximately 4 miles from the parkway.
Map of Western NC Moutain Region
Chimney Rock, NC 28720
Cherokee, NC
Boone, NC
Asheville, NC
