• The North Carolina Arboretum - This beautiful arboretum spans 400 acres and features cultivated gardens, an impressive Bonsai tree exhibit, and hiking trails through forests and mountains. A small café is available for a light meal or drink.

Visitors seeking easy or accessible walks through stunning gardens and trees should make this a priority.

• Bad Fork Valley Overlook - Traveling south from Asheville, this is the first overlook after ascending into the mountains. However, many more overlooks await.
• Beaver Dam Gap Overlook - Unlike most overlooks along the Parkway, which offer views in one direction, this spot on a ridgeline provides lovely views in both directions from the parking area.
• Mt. Pisgah Trailhead - Mt. Pisgah is easily visible from Asheville, and now there’s a chance to hike to its summit. The round-trip hike is about 4.5 miles or 7 kilometers, rated moderate to strenuous. The view is rewarding when the summit is not shrouded in clouds.
• Pisgah Inn - A touch of civilization before venturing further into the woods. Enjoy a meal at the restaurant or grab some food and snacks at the shop or wayside building.

Be sure to visit the observation deck and rocking chairs behind the restaurant for a marvelous mountain view.

• Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower - This hike is unique, following an old gravel road instead of a trail. It’s a moderate uphill hike ending at an old steel lookout tower, offering an outstanding view from the top. The hike is about a mile and a half round trip.
• Cradle of Forestry - This overlook is above the site of an old forestry school owned by the Vanderbilts. Today, the grove of trees remains vibrant.
• Cradle of Forestry in America - Discover the origins of forestry education at this charming museum. The interactive exhibits are a refreshing change for children, and everyone will appreciate the air-conditioning and history. The grounds feature easy, paved trails that pass the school’s buildings.
• Sliding Rock - This gently-graded waterfall serves as a natural waterslide! Put on swimsuits and wait in line to slide into the chilly pool below. A lifeguard is present during the busy summer months.
• Looking Glass Falls - This 60-foot or 18-meter waterfall is one of North Carolina’s most popular because it can be seen from the road! No hike is needed for this one.
• Coon Tree Picnic Area - Flush toilets and picnic tables are the highlights here, and it’s also a convenient spot to park for Looking Glass Falls.
• Skinny Dip Falls - The trail to Skinny Dip Falls is about a mile round trip and is easy to moderate. While not the most impressive waterfall on the tour, some enjoy swimming in the pool.

The trailhead is across the Parkway from Looking Glass Rock Overlook, offering a great view of the granite monolith Looking Glass Rock.

• Haywood County - Graveyard Fields earned its eerie name and appearance from a series of natural disasters. However, it’s one of the most popular hiking spots on the Parkway due to its two waterfalls.

The first waterfall is on a fairly easy loop trail, about a mile and a half long. To see the other waterfall, add another mile and a half on a connected spur road.

• Black Balsam Knob - Just off the Parkway, this trail is about one and a half miles round-trip. The moderately difficult hike leads to a 360-degree mountain panorama.

If the weather is nice, this could be the best view of the day. The view is open most of the way up, making the effort worthwhile.

• Devil’s Courthouse - Enjoy this impressive cliff from the overlook or hike to the top. A path leads through the woods to the summit, where four states are visible. It’s under a mile round-trip and takes about 45 minutes, but it’s a steep hike.

• Cowee Mountain Overlook - Our top choice for the best overlook on the tour! There’s nothing obstructing the view of the expansive Blue Ridge Mountains.

• Richland Balsam Nature Loop Trail - The overlook view is average, but the main attraction is the Richland Balsam Trail, a moderately difficult one-and-a-half-mile loop through the forest. It’s a pleasant walk through the woods if time permits.

• Richland Balsam Overlook - The view from this overlook is mostly hidden by trees, but it’s the highest point on the Parkway at 6,053 feet or over 1,800 meters. A sign marks the overlook as the highest point, making it a popular photo opportunity.

• Lone Bald Overlook - This stretch of the Parkway features a series of excellent overlooks. This one is favored for the beautiful layered look of the mountains stretching into the distance.

• Standing Rock Overlook - Near the entrance to this overlook is a large, standalone boulder that’s a popular photo spot.

• Waterrock Knob - The view from this large overlook is one of the best on the Parkway, from over 6,000 feet up. There are plenty of picnic tables and a small visitor center.

• Thunder Struck Ridge Overlook - Another splendid overlook of the layered mountains and valleys beyond.

• Soco Falls - Just about a mile off the Parkway, Soco Falls is a double waterfall with two cascades meeting at a pool. The waterfall is visible a few steps from the parking lot, but for the best view, scramble to the base of the falls.

• Bunches Bald Overlook - A lower elevation overlook compared to the heights near Waterrock Knob, but still lovely and possibly a great spot for fall colors.

• Tours NEVER expire
• Freedom to explore at your own pace
• Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
• Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
• Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
• Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

• Private Transportation

Embark on an enchanting journey from Asheville to Cherokee with this self-guided driving tour along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

As you begin this picturesque drive, our audio tour guide will accompany you, offering fascinating tales about the area’s history and present-day life.

The trip from Asheville to Cherokee is more than just a drive; it’s an opportunity to fully engage with nature’s beauty. Discover the varied ecosystems of the mountains, enjoy leisurely walks through lush forests, and admire the views from scenic overlooks.

Looking to stretch your legs? We provide recommendations for scenic hikes and outdoor activities suitable for adventurers of all levels.

So, reserve your experience today and let us guide you on this extraordinary journey through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.

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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.