Top 5 Blue Ridge Outdoor Escapes: Your Activity Guide
The Blue Ridge Mountains, so they’re really kind of a place that just calls to anyone wanting that outdoor fix, offering that escape from just about anything! They stretch, too, for what feels like a really long time, going through several states, and is that one spot packed with stuff to do, from easy hikes to those super challenging climbs. Figuring out just where to begin your outdoor adventure, well it can be a little tough, maybe even overwhelming! Don’t you worry, that’s because we’ve gathered what’s arguably the top 5 Blue Ridge outdoor activities that should offer something special for almost all outdoor people. Pack those boots, grab your camera, because we’re taking a detailed look!
1. Hiking the Appalachian Trail (A.T.)
Oh the A.T., now that is basically more than a trail; arguably, it’s an American adventure icon. The Blue Ridge section, seemingly winding its way through North Carolina and Virginia, might just showcase some that unforgettable, scenic beauty the range has! The trails actually vary quite a bit. Sections close to that Great Smoky Mountains kind of roll through these ancient, quiet forests, really covered with this green, thick canopy. Spots located in Virginia and further north could be pretty rocky and a bit harder! Actually, you don’t have to thru-hike that entire thing to see something pretty. The trails offer day trips to various outlooks that make those panoramic views accessible to nearly every level of experience.
Imagine, if you will, hiking to that McAfee Knob in Virginia, sometimes called one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail! It sticks out over that Catawba Valley. The panoramic views might make your heart feel like it is just about to beat right out of your chest! As a matter of fact, for someone looking at something closer to North Carolina, then Shining Rock Wilderness could offer up these views filled with diverse plant life along harder-to-travel trails. This actually caters more to people who aren’t all that easily winded!
Things to keep in mind: The trail itself could possibly change quite a bit depending on what time you hit it. Summers are rather popular, yet those fall months, oh the colors! Those draw big crowds. What’s great is, spring is great for wildflower views even if conditions might be a little bit damp! Regardless of when you get out there, packing that appropriate gear such as waterproof boots (very essential), layered clothing options that cover almost all possible situations will keep everyone feeling very comfy!
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2. Paddling Adventures on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Right, so the Blue Ridge Parkway basically connects loads of scenic rivers that, as a matter of fact, provides paddling places fit for various tastes. Maybe people like those leisurely canoe floats on calm waters or just maybe they want fast moving kayak action. What’s really cool, you will easily come across rental shops really close to popular water spots. So you don’t need to haul stuff around!
Take the New River for instance, possibly one of oldest rivers around. And so it ambles slowly right through wide areas surrounded by lush scenery! The Upper James River Water Trail in Virginia, right? It allows multi-day trips for keen people really craving an adventure and those amazing camping options directly alongside! Claytor Lake might actually offer those smooth waters right when it’s all calm; it is fantastic for stand-up paddleboarding and seeing some wildlife because it really teems with various birds as well as lots of critters living near water!
The lakes up high really should bring with them quick temperature shifts plus a pretty fierce sun at altitude so wearing sunblock and wearing things that shield you as well as things that wick away moisture might keep a paddle trip awesome for everyone who does this! What’s neat is lots of spots right alongside waterways have spots great picnicking, therefore, that entire outing is something special, mixing physical challenges as well as amazing eating!
Read our full review: Blue Ridge Parkway Paddling Full Review and Details
3. Scenic Drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway
That Blue Ridge Parkway, it is more than roads; that’s a trip all by itself that winds 469 miles through Virginia, as well as, right, North Carolina? It should take people past places they might take lots of photos. From the old Mabry Mill displaying that very cool snapshot relating to country living through to Waterrock Knob for really sweeping view. Basically, drives often take various overlooks each with its thing, whether or not that’s that view to wide open meadows, and sometimes that tight deep wood location.
You may find, that drive around fall, the colors really explode that pulls everyone who wants awesome pics! The place does often become extremely jam-packed! Consider, too it’s almost traveling around either during spring season after which things are starting getting flower heavy. Or get there when it’s closer towards winter and the place is quiet plus frosty and therefore beautiful too!
Things worth planning: Be certain cars, right? They actually handle those twists pretty decently! Have a look at that tank’s fill levels. What’s worth mentioning, those gas stops between various stretches become few, they’re far apart! Check that it always matters for weather forecast reports, what’s on and find stopping sites as they might turn the regular route directly something much, way fun and interesting!
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4. Rock Climbing and Bouldering Hotspots
If scrambling along stone may well get you stoked! Then your Blueridge region actually does feature places that climbers love which do challenge novices right through to pros. Possibly you might try that place called “Looking Glass Rock” within N.C.. And so you are greeted, actually there, basically, with things from these hard multi-pitch jobs to many that single ascent kind activities where someone might use various techniques which might make an adventure.
Grayson Highlands in Virginia, right? What is really something is that a trip right here is commonly really coupled by something a bit unusual because wild ponies live nearby where hikers regularly move over different areas; this spot should let those boulder obsessed folks do that super neat scramble type game as things will appear much greater than any basic hiking experience will.
It could probably make common sense basically getting with yourself the right set up before heading straight on to climb especially since spots usually have various grading; usually take notice what local reports could be basically so everything proceeds securely basically specifically while having to contend for steep spots or spots high on something dangerous like elevation shift dangers. The reward that results commonly is beyond compare and brings you beautiful valley spots!
Read our full review: Blue Ridge Mountains Climbing Full Review and Details
5. Exploring Waterfalls and Swimming Holes
Maybe no trek might possibly get over a trip without some super nice cascades along Blueridge regions coupled with cool dip points just so everyone gets to beat what hot atmosphere has planned? Waterfalls are like something almost alive, and always transforming; Looking near the Pisgah part around N. Carolina, you might, for example go by something cool such because Triple Falls right over Dupont state land territory which is commonly great for most anyone because terrain itself generally gives options which make trips that range short as they go over wide distances all round many level points near such falls itself! Really simple it is as a walk down it takes you where places appeared during films over decades! Just like neat picture sessions might well materialize here!
Up further, the southern bit from Virginia is having trails resulting straight at “Devil’s Bathtub;” But usually it needs several river crossing points hence ensure folks can proceed confidently particularly around seasons should current gains momentum since torrent events seem likely.
Keep often an eye always that any visit seems reasonable specifically while there seem points over stone that remain slippery from recent torrent actions over that section plus generally take swim shoes what have secure grips so people stand sure and steady. Getting near what sound beautiful from rushing waters then splashing cool refreshment could almost sound a great experience which only improves those connections through beautiful land scenery plus adventures over places where a bit physical engagement usually transforms memories for life’s timeline!
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