Side Trips from the BRP

KYwoodsrider · 10-09-2012, 06:52 PM

Last fall I rode the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. This year I wanted to go back and spend some extra time at some of sites. Inmates also made recommendations on other places.
This is my set-up. 2007 DR650

I rode down from KY to one of the sites high on my list; Linville Falls. I stayed my first night in the campground. Very nice and family friendly

The next morning I took a few hours and hiked up to the falls. Well worth it

Around noon I headed down the parkway to my next stop, Mt Mitchell.

Here is the ranger station

They also have a resturant

Covered picnic areas

Nice views from some of the picnic tables

And the observation tower

Nice views from the tower

An inmate recommended a gravel section that runs from Ashville in the Powhatan Rec Area over to Hwy 276 near Brevard. Take hwy 191 towards Ashville off of the BRP. Take the 2nd left on Bent Creek Road. It is paved at first then turns to gravel. This is a big mountain bike area. The road climbs for several miles then crosses back under the BRP

From here it becomes a twisy mountain road for 15-20 miles and comes out on Hwy 276 a few miles south of the BRP. I would have to draw a track to get more specific. Its fairly remote and not a good place to make a mistake.

My next camp site was Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground just on the other side of the BRP on Hwy 276. I really enjoy camping there.

The next morning I headed back up 276, over the BRP, down 276 towards Brevard. Take the first FS road on the right. I think it is 459B. Lots of campsites and trail heads along the way.

It comes out across from the fish hatchery

The best place to fish must be just below the hatchery

Go west on the FS road to Parkway road. I think it is Hwy 215. It takes you back up to the BRP. Nice early fall colors.

Lots of this.

My next stop was an area I have wanted to ride for a long time. The Heintooga loop of the Balsam Mt area, Mile post 458 on the BRP.

It starts out as a narrow mountain road.

Then it desends into a nice creek section

My best picture of the trip.

The Heintooga drops you off in Cheerokee. From there I headed over to another of my favorite MC campgrounds, Iron Horse.

The next morning I headed out early, rode Hwy28 along Fontana Lake, rode the Dragon, and headed back to KY by 10:00am. It was rainy and foggy so no pictures.
If we have a break in the weather in mid November I might try and head back one more time before winter.

steveb126 · 10-09-2012, 07:08 PM

Great report. Thanks for sharing. I've rode those roads and some of the same spots are in my Sig link.

kitesurfer · 10-10-2012, 07:20 AM

LOVE THIS REPORT! I'M heading up to that area on friday. hope to ride one of those 2 dirt roads.

RonSavage · 10-10-2012, 07:48 AM

Nice report,and just in time.I'm headed up the BRPW Friday,then over to the Joyce Kilmer,Ironhorse area to finish out October.

joeybeats · 10-10-2012, 07:54 AM

Great report, indeed! Who wouldn't want to ride your exact tracks?! And those motorcycle campgrounds look awesome to me. Thanks for sharing. Joey

KYwoodsrider · 10-10-2012, 11:49 AM

Ride the Heintooga if you can. My undersatnding is that it is closed the end of Oct thru April

Laconic · 10-10-2012, 12:07 PM

Heintooga looks like a fun road, I'm going to have to ride it sometime.

10-09-2012, 06:52 PM	#1
KYwoodsrider ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2006 Location: central KY Oddometer: 205	Side Trips from the BRP Last fall I rode the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. This year I wanted to go back and spend some extra time at some of sites. Inmates also made recommendations on other places. This is my set-up. 2007 DR650 I rode down from KY to one of the sites high on my list; Linville Falls. I stayed my first night in the campground. Very nice and family friendly The next morning I took a few hours and hiked up to the falls. Well worth it Around noon I headed down the parkway to my next stop, Mt Mitchell. Here is the ranger station They also have a resturant Covered picnic areas Nice views from some of the picnic tables And the observation tower Nice views from the tower An inmate recommended a gravel section that runs from Ashville in the Powhatan Rec Area over to Hwy 276 near Brevard. Take hwy 191 towards Ashville off of the BRP. Take the 2nd left on Bent Creek Road. It is paved at first then turns to gravel. This is a big mountain bike area. The road climbs for several miles then crosses back under the BRP From here it becomes a twisy mountain road for 15-20 miles and comes out on Hwy 276 a few miles south of the BRP. I would have to draw a track to get more specific. Its fairly remote and not a good place to make a mistake. My next camp site was Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground just on the other side of the BRP on Hwy 276. I really enjoy camping there. The next morning I headed back up 276, over the BRP, down 276 towards Brevard. Take the first FS road on the right. I think it is 459B. Lots of campsites and trail heads along the way. It comes out across from the fish hatchery The best place to fish must be just below the hatchery Go west on the FS road to Parkway road. I think it is Hwy 215. It takes you back up to the BRP. Nice early fall colors. Lots of this. My next stop was an area I have wanted to ride for a long time. The Heintooga loop of the Balsam Mt area, Mile post 458 on the BRP. It starts out as a narrow mountain road. Then it desends into a nice creek section My best picture of the trip. The Heintooga drops you off in Cheerokee. From there I headed over to another of my favorite MC campgrounds, Iron Horse. The next morning I headed out early, rode Hwy28 along Fontana Lake, rode the Dragon, and headed back to KY by 10:00am. It was rainy and foggy so no pictures. If we have a break in the weather in mid November I might try and head back one more time before winter. KYwoodsrider screwed with this post 10-10-2012 at 05:26 PM

10-09-2012, 07:08 PM	#2
steveb126 Adventurer Anonymous Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Gerstenslagers Oddometer: 686	Great report. Thanks for sharing. I've rode those roads and some of the same spots are in my Sig link. __________________ I may not be much, but I'm all I think about. Wee & Wingabago Wanderings

10-10-2012, 07:20 AM	#3
kitesurfer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: JAX, FL Oddometer: 1,015	LOVE THIS REPORT! I'M heading up to that area on friday. hope to ride one of those 2 dirt roads. __________________ 2012 VSTROM ADV 650

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10-10-2012, 07:48 AM	#4
RonSavage adventure maker Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Cupcake,Ga. Oddometer: 64	Nice report,and just in time.I'm headed up the BRPW Friday,then over to the Joyce Kilmer,Ironhorse area to finish out October.

10-10-2012, 07:54 AM	#5
joeybeats Adventurer Joined: Oct 2012 Oddometer: 22	Great report, indeed! Who wouldn't want to ride your exact tracks?! And those motorcycle campgrounds look awesome to me. Thanks for sharing. Joey

10-10-2012, 11:49 AM	#6
KYwoodsrider ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2006 Location: central KY Oddometer: 205	Ride the Heintooga if you can. My undersatnding is that it is closed the end of Oct thru April

10-10-2012, 12:07 PM	#7
Laconic QuestionableBanterer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Moran Nation Oddometer: 10,531	Heintooga looks like a fun road, I'm going to have to ride it sometime.