The Parkway is paved from Rockfish Gap south for nearly 46 miles to U S 60. Three small bridges along this route are being constructed, but traffic is maintained with little inconvenience to the traveler.
The Parkway section south of the James River to Roanoke features the lowest point on Blue Ridge Parkway, 670 feet elevation, where it will cross the river, and Thunder Ridge, where it climbs to almost 4,000 feet. South a few miles are the famed Peaks of Otter. This spectacular section lies partly through the Jefferson National Forest.
The famous Appalachian Trail, making its way from Maine to Georgia, touches the Parkway at several points. For detailed information, write the Appalachian Trail Conference, 1916 Sunderland Place, NW., Washington 6, D. C.
Shenandoah National Park conserves a large section of the Virginia Blue Ridge (74 miles southwest of Washington, D. C.). Well known for the Skyline Drive, a road wholly within that park but connecting with the Blue Ridge Parkway at Rockfish Gap, Shenandoah also has many miles of developed foot trails and varied tourist accommodations. For complete information, address Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park, Luray, Va.
| Mile Post | Elevation | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Rockfish Gap-Junction Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive of Shenandoah National Park. | 1,909 |
| 6 | Humpback Rocks, craggy rock outcropping. Foot trail from parking area to the Rocks. | 3,210 |
| 15 | Sherando Lake (George Washington National Forest). Swimming, fishing, picnicking. Turn on VA-814 for 3½ miles. | 1,500 |
| 27 | Tye River Gap | 2,969 |
| 45.6 | U S 60 crossing. Parkway grade dead-ends 7 miles south. | 2,312 |
| 63.7 | Junction U S 501 and Parkway section southward | 670 |
| 74.7 | Thunder Ridge Parking Area. One minute walk to superb view of Arnolds Valley. | 3,485 |
| 76.7 | High point on the Parkway in Virginia. Apple Orchard Mountain (El. 4,229). Forest Service fire tower. | 3,950 |
| 80 | Purple rhododendron blooms early June. | |
| 83.8 | Wilkinson Gap. Foot trail to summit Flat Top Mountain takes 1¾ hours. Trail down south side of mountain to vicinity Big Spring on VA-43 (1 mile off Parkway) takes 1 hour. | 2,511 |
| 86 | Peaks of Otter. Sharp Top (El. 3,875). Flat Top (El. 4,001). Recreational area under development. Sightseeing bus trips to top of Sharp Top; sandwiches, soups, drinks, sold at bus station. VA-43 to Bedford. | |
| 90 | VA-43 to Buchanan. Parkway closed to south. ROANOKE (Magic City). Western Virginia’s largest city. Population 100,000. Parkway headquarters. | 1,000 |
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK TO ROANOKE, VA.
PKY-B. R. 7005-1
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Roanoke, Va.—North Carolina State Line
From Adney Gap (19 miles south of Roanoke by way of U S 221) the Parkway is paved south to the State Line and beyond to Deep Gap near Boone and Blowing Rock. This section of Parkway through lower Virginia is notable for its pictures of mountain farming. The Blue Ridge here is a high rolling plateau which breaks in a sharp escarpment toward the east and the lower Piedmont. The Parkway generally follows the crest, which is the water divide between Atlantic and Gulf drainage, affording occasional fine views over the low country. In other places the Parkway recedes into wooded and pastoral valleys of quiet charm.
| Mile Post | Elevation | |
|---|---|---|
| 136 | Adney Gap. Terminus 140 mile paved section to Deep Gap, N. C. | 2,690 |
| 144 | Devil’s Backbone Parking Overlook. Fine view over farming region. | 2,685 |
| 144.8 | Pine Spur Parking Overlook. Named for the white pine which is the tree depicted on Parkway emblem. | 2,703 |
| 150 | Magnificent flame azalea; blooms mid-May. | |
| 154.5 | Smart View, 500 acres, hiking trails, large picnic grounds, comfort stations, drinking water. The cabin home of T. T. Trail, immediately adjacent entrance road, is picturesque. Rim trail in this area is part of Appalachian Trail system. Smart View is center of Parkway’s dogwood bloom in early May. | 2,500 |
| 164 | Fine azalea show. Also mountain-laurel in late May. | |
| 165.2 | Tuggles Gap. VA-8, turn-off for Fairy Stone State Park 16 miles. Swimming, boating, picnicking. | 2,752 |
| 167 to 170 | Rocky Knob, 4,000 acres. Picnicking, camping, trailer sites, hiking, comfort stations, drinking water, fishing 5 miles of Rock Castle Creek. Foot trail from Saddle Parking Overlook (Mile 168) to summit of Rocky Knob (El. 3,570) takes 10 minutes, continues along rim to Grassy Knoll (Mile 170). Fine for flame azalea late in May. | 3,225 |
| 176.1 | Mabry Mill, grist and sawmill, wheelwright and blacksmith shops, illustrating typical mountain “industrial plant,” fascinating and ingenious. Buildings will later be opened for inspection. | 2,855 |
| 177.7 | Meadows of Dan. U S 58 longest east-west road across Virginia. Inquire locally about Lovers Leap and the Pinnacles of Dan. | 2,964 |
| 189.2 | Groundhog Mountain Parking Overlook, high point affording 360° view. Observation tower, simulating old tobacco barn. Examples of various types of old chestnut rail fences, such as snake, post and rail, and buck. | 3,030 |
| 189.9 | Puckett Cabin, home of Arlena Hawks Puckett, storied midwife of the local hills. | 2,850 |
| 199.5 | Fancy Gap. U S 52, where local products, such as cabbage, are gathered to be trucked down the mountains. | 2,920 |