Graveyard Ridge Trail and Mountains to Sea Trail Loop

When the weather is in your favor, these treeless mountain tops will have your jaw on the floor with layers upon layers of Blue Ridge Mountains. This hike can be done in one day, but with panoramic views at multiple points, you'll want to take your time along this link of trails. This ~10-mile loop, starting at one of Blue Ridge Parkway's most popular overlooks, Graveyard Fields Overlook, wind...

Graveyard Fields got it's name years ago from wind-thrown tree trunks that gave the appearance of a graveyard, until 1925 when an intense fire swept through the area, destroying the stumps. The forest has been recovering ever since. The parking area for Graveyard Fields is located at milepost 418.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, approximately 1 hour South of Asheville, NC. From the parking area yo...

Perched at milepost 418.3 at an elevation around 4,955 ft, East Fork Overlook offers one of the most striking panoramic views along this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The overlook looks out over the headwaters of the East Fork of the Pigeon River and surrounding ridgelines. What to Expect & Highlights You don’t have to hike to enjoy this — there’s a paved pull-off and viewing area...

Park at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook. After enjoying the view of Looking Glass Rock, gear up and head to the right side of the parking area (right side if your back is to the overlook). On the opposite side of the road you'll see a mile marker and a little trail to the left of the marker. Follow this trail for a mile and you'll arrive at Skinny Dip Falls! You can keep hiking up and around th...

The parking area for Black Balsam Knob is at mile marker 420.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's free to hike here. Take the Art Loeb Trail a half mile until you reach the knob. Along the way you will be walking almost entirely on the bald which is a very pleasant experience. You feel like you're dancing through meadows and you can see the mountains all around you. There are a couple of large ro...

Sam Knob Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Canton, North Carolina.