The Blue Ridge Parkway from Blowing Rock to Spruce Pine

The Grandfather of all Mountains

This page profiles a short, spectacular length of the amazing geological feature known as The Blue Ridge: the Grandfather Mountain section.

The crest is closely hugged by 67 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the US National Park Service's 469 mile scenic roadway. This includes the Linn Cove Viaduct, which preserves the delicate ecology by curving above it.

Like much of the Blue Ridge, the eastern, Atlantic face is incredibly rugged — but here this ruggedness extends an extra 2,000 feet into the sky. The Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain Park is well over 5200 feet high, yet is 700 feet below the mountain peak.

Grandfather Mountain Park describes itself as an environmental theme park. It's the worlds largest privately owned International Biosphere Reserve.

Adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 19th century tourist village of Blowing Rock hosts luxurious inns and restaurants.

Outside Blowing Rock, the late 19th century estate of denim king Moses Cone is now Moses Cone Park, a major stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Julian Price Park sits adjacent to Moses Cone Park, with wilder terraine and a lovely lake.

Another 19th century attraction, Linville Falls forms as the Linville River flows over the edge of the Blue Ridge. It, too, is now park of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Immediately downstream from the falls, the Linville Gorge Wilderness preserves this cliff-sided canyon and its unusual hoodoos and rock formations. It was the first National Wilderness Area in the East.

This Altapass Heritage Apple Orchard survives little changed from the late 19th century. It is adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is open to the public with a cafe, gift shop, monarch butterfly garden, and regular music performances.

The dramatic native rock balcony at Chestoa View forms one of the Blue Ridge Parkway's most popular overlooks.

Many waterfalls form along the Blue Ridge, including this one, close to the Blue Ridge Parkway.