Started as a Depression-era public works project, the Blue Ridge Parkway was
The first rural avenue in the United States. When it was finally completed, it was also the
longest: 469 miles of uninterrupted mountain roads linking Shenandoah National Park
Park in the north to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in the south. Tea
Blue Ridge Parkway is by far the most popular destination on the National
Park System – more than 19 million recreational visits per year. One of the
Explanations for its enduring popularity could be that Blue Ridge is also one of
America’s Most Dog-Friendly Destinations.
Designed for leisurely driving, the speed limit never exceeds 45 mph on the
Parking is allowed on the greenway and on the road on the shoulders throughout the entire path. Much of
the beautiful path is bordered by low stone walls. Sometimes the path is reduced to just
25 meters wide. You will never see a billboard and hardly any development.
Parks and recreation areas, several covering thousands of acres, appear roughly
every 30 miles, although most are in the Blue Ridge Mountains, all 355
kilometers that comprised the northern part of the route. The lowest wind of 114 miles
through the mighty Black Mountains, named for the dark green fir trees that cover
massive inclines and offer more limited opportunities to stretch your legs.
There is no reason for you and your dog to enjoy Blue Ridge solely through
the windows of your car. Dogs are allowed on the more than 100 varied trails along
Blue Ridge Parkway, ranging from easy rides through the valley to challenging hikes up the mountain.
summit walks. Travelers and canine hikers can spend a week driving in the
Parkway and barely tastes all of its treasures. And it’s no problem to slow down and
take as much time as you like on the trails – all nine are arranged on a first-come, first-served basis
Parkway campgrounds welcome dogs. You will find many of the inns and
restaurants in the small towns that line the Parkway to be dog-friendly, too.
Following the route from the north, an early highlight comes within the first ten
miles at Humpback Rocks, where the Greenstone Nature Trail leads to the
unusual shaped rocks. A strenuous climb accesses the Appalachian Trail in
another two miles. Canine hikers will look forward to Picos de Nutria, in the
vicinity of the highest mountains in the Virginia section of the Parkway, beginning
around the 75 mile mark. Three Mountains – Sharp Top (3,875 feet), Flat Top
(4,004 feet) and Harkening Hill (3,364 feet) including the Otter Peaks, a popular
hiking destination since colonial times, when Thomas Jefferson was a keen
visitor. The 4.4 mile trail to the Flat Top summit is level most of the way to
scrambled rocks provide athletic dogs with tail-wagging training.
Also at Peaks of Otter there is a quick loop walk that goes through
rhododendron and mountain laurel at Onion Mountain and the 1.6-mile loop of the
Fallingwater Falls National Scenic Byway. Both offer splendid views in return
for moderate effort. At the 167-mile mark comes Rocky Knob, with 15 miles of
trails through 4,800 acres. The main ride here is the 10.8-mile Craggy Rock
Castle Gorge National Recreation Trail. Just down the street is the picturesque Mabry Mill
featuring an easy, self-guided trail peppered with seasonal and interpretive exhibits
Demonstrations on rural Appalachian life. Mabry Mill, powered by water, is the most
landmark photographed on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The first dog walk after the Parkway crosses the Virginia state line into
North Carolina reaches Cumberland Knob at the 217.5 mile mark. A quick 15-
minute loop here leads to the knob and a more challenging 2 mile loop that traces
Gully Creek. Next up is 7,000-acre Doughton Park, the largest recreation area in
Blue Ridge Avenue. Over 30 miles of trails and a dog camp
are the main attractions here.
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is a popular stopping point to relax or
explorer. Many miles of horse and carriage trails lead out of the Historic Cone
Manor House and many more trails criss-cross at neighboring Julian Price Memorial
Park, which includes Price Lake, one of the few lakes along the Parkway. Even if
hiking is not on your itinerary when you get to this place you will want to stop and sit
on the Manor House lawn with your dog and enjoy the views. In another 10 miles
you cross the Linn Cove Viaduct, an engineering marvel that runs along the side of
grandfather mountain.
Ground was broken on the Blue Ridge Parkway on September 11, 1935 in
Cumberland Knob on the border between North Carolina and Virginia, near the midpoint of the
proposed route. By 1967, all but seven and a half of its 469 miles were complete.
The final stretch, up the rocky slopes of Grandfather Mountain, one of the
oldest mountains in the world, would not be completed until 1987. To complete the Parkway
without massive cut and fill in the fragile mountainside would require most
complicated concrete bridge ever built: the winding Linn Viaduct.
The Viaduct’s 12 bridges were built from the top down at a
4,100 foot elevation to eliminate the need for a pioneer road. In fact, the only
the trees felled throughout the project were those directly under the roadway.
The only construction on the ground was the drilling of seven permanent pillars on
What remains of the Viaduct?
The exposed rock was even covered to present stains from the epoxy of the concrete.
joining of the prefabricated sections. To further minimize intrusion into the mountain,
concrete mixes were stained with iron oxide to blend in with existing outcrops.
Trails lead to views below this engineering marvel and access the 13.5-mile
Tanawha Trail from Beacon Heights to Julian Price Park. You and the dog can choose
your way along an interpretive trail for up-close views of the viaduct.
One of the most anticipated attractions of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be next
Linville Gorge, one of the most remote places in Appalachia. without calling
The trails lead deep into the wild, but most canine hikers will stick to the main two.
hiking trails surrounding Linville Falls. Erwins View Trail is a sporty ride that takes
at four different vantage points of the plunging waters on your .8-mile journey. Plus
challenging is the walk on the opposite side of the water towards the gorge that
Descend through virgin hemlock forest via switchbacks to the water’s edge.
below the falls. This is a great place for a doggy dip.
South of Linville Falls, elevations rise and dog-walking opportunities
fade off. Craggy Pinnacle Trail at 364.4 miles is a narrow ridge trail that forms tunnels
through a purple rhododendron to the top of a hill that opens up into a veritable sea of trees. HAS
The second moderate trail here is the Craggy Gardens Nature Trail. Nearby, a branch
leads to Mount Mitchell. Your dog can make the last paved ascent to 6684-
foot of summit and stand on the highest point of land east of the Mississippi River.
The mountain was named after Dr. Elisha Mitchell, who fell to his death while trying to
shows the actual height of the peak.
The last major recreation area on the Parkway reaches south of Asheville in
Mount Pisgah, once part of the 125,000-acre Biltmore Estate owned by George W.
Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt directed trail building efforts on his vast property to
easy access for hunting and horse riding. It was the first major extension of
managed forest lands in America. The way to the summit views of Mount Pisgah (5,721
ft) is a tough 1.26 mile ascent. While not a top destination for dog owners,
you may want to make arrangements to visit the Biltmore Estate, the largest in the United States
Private house. Construction of the French Renaissance-style mansion began in
1889 and 250 rooms later completed in 1895. Entrance to Biltmore Estate
includes a self-guided tour of the unoccupied parts of the house, access to the
formal gardens and the Biltmore Estate winery.
The last gasps of the dog walk on the Blue Ridge Parkway before entering
Great Smoky Mountain National Park, where dogs are not allowed on the trails.
occur at Milepost 431 where Richard Balsam’s self-guided trail wanders through
the remains of a spruce forest at the highest point of the Parkway (6,047 feet)
and at Waterrock Knob at milepost 451.2. Here a mountain path leads to the knob and
its panoramic views of 4 Great Smokies states.
Allow three to five days to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway with your
dog, a distance that could be covered in six hours of driving on the interstate.
Even that may not be enough time. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wishing
turn around and do it all over again.