North Carolina Fall Foliage - Exciting Ways to Experience the Splendor

Anticipation is in the air and soon, the Western North Carolina mountains will explode with color during the fall foliage season. While most folks will drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway which runs right through the heart of America's Happiest City, here are a few less known secrets to enjoying the crisp cool air and autumn eye candy:

EASY HIKES ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,184 mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral and wild lands of the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Trail parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s favorite scenic drive stretching 469 miles, from Georgia to Maine. Hiking the Appalachian Trail in Western North Carolina is easier than you think. Max Patch Mountain located at an elevation of 4,629 feet is one of the most beautiful places to see the North Carolina fall foliage and is easily accessible from Interstate 40. It’s about 20 miles from exit 24 towards the northwest. Follow Max Patch Road beyond where it turns into gravel.

A sunset viewed from Sam Knob Summit will be an image burnt in your memory forever, accessed by a short easy hike on the Appalachian Trail. Sam Knob Summit is located between Waynesville and Brevard. Directions from Asheville: Follow the Blue Ridge Parkway south for 26.5 miles past the NC 191 Parkway access. Turn right on FR 816 (Black Balsam Road) just past milepost 420; the sign reads "Black Balsam". Follow this road to the end.

VINTAGE MOUNTAIN RAILROAD TRAIN

Step back in time and take a ride on Western North Carolina’s vintage railway cars. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad departs twice a day from Bryson City on a 3 1/2 hour ride through the Nantahala Forest. The train departs at 9am and 2pm. Passengers have the choice between open air seating or seating in First Class Cars where lunch or breakfast are served. The 1940s-era bar, lounge and dining cars feature seating at well-appointed tables and lounge/restaurant style chairs. Goat cheese quiche, waffles and fried chicken are breakfast menu choices. Prime Rib Au Jus, Chicken Cordon Blue and Glazed Pork Loin are lunch selections. Seating is limited so advance reservations are highly recommended, especially during the North Carolina fall foliage season.

This vintage train travels for 43 miles over two bridges and through two tunnels. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion runs along the Nantahala River, a gorgeous river filled with large shiny boulders. The echoing sounds on the river and clitty clack of the train tracks are as sensory to your soul as the trees ablaze in color. There are 125 varieties of trees in Western North Carolina, including hemlock, yellow buckeye, umbrella magnolia, oak, birch, sugar maple, mountain ash, Fraser fir, and short needle pine. Wild blackberries and blueberries are abundant in their seasons. Ticket prices range from $49 to $92. Seniors and AAA Members are eligible for discounted tickets. Riding the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad during the fall foliage season is an experience you’ll never forget.

If you're searching for Waynesville real estate, plan on visiting these North Carolina mountain communities in Waynesville, Sylva or Cullowhee.

FALL FOLIAGE SKI LIFT RIDE TO THE SUMMIT

Sugar Mountain Resort in Banner Elk is the only ski lift in the High Country to view the North Carolina fall foliage on top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. During Oktoberfest October 13 & 14, Sugar Mountain’s Ski Lifts will be open escorting you up to Sugar’s 5,300 foot peak.Views from the summit include Eastern Tennessee, Southern Virginia and the High Country. The round trip ride takes 45 minutes and everyone is permitted on the lift, including mountain bikers. The cost is $12 for adults and children under 4 are free. Oktoberfest is a two day Bavarian Festival celebrating folk dancing, local artists, German food, and drinks. Buyer's looking for Banner Elk real estate should take a look at one of the happiest communities on our website, Headwaters at Banner Elk, a North Carolina mountain community.

MUST STOP’S ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

I’ve driven the parkway dozens of times and I’m still in awe every time by its majesty. Like me, cyclists, motorcyclists and car passengers are fascinated traveling at a snail’s pace, absorbing hypnotizing high mountain elevation views. The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center adjacent to downtown Asheville is located at Mile Post 384. If this is your first drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the North Carolina fall foliage, here are a couple ‘must stops’ I recommend, which will be great photograph stops too.

Mile Post 328 - The Altapass Orchard 

Stop here for homemade fudge, ice cream, sweet apples and local arts and crafts. On the weekends, free music, hay rides add to the family fun at the Orchard. Mile Post 408 The Pisgah Inn Nicknamed ‘Peak of the Parkway’, breakfast, lunch and dinner at this mountain top inn with panoramic views of the Pisgah National Forest. The Craft & Gift Shop features handmade crafts of the Southern Appalachians as well as interesting gift items, vintage clothing and local wines.

Mile Post 417 - Looking Glass Rock

To me, this is one of the neatest places to photograph North Carolina fall foliage. The stone texture is in stark contrast to the vibrant fall foliage. Looking Glass rock is one of the largest masses of granite in the Eastern United States. Bring your binoculars to see rock climbers challenge this massive stone mountain.

Mile Post 418.8 - Graveyard Fields

Some refer to Graveyard Fields as the best hiking trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Here is where you’ll find two waterfall hiking trails visible from the road. We’ve hiked both. One is an easy hike up and down stairways. The other winds through a valley and is a bit more challenging. Both are incredible photograph spots during the North Carolina fall foliage season and are worth the effort.

Mile Post 422.40 - Devil’s Courthouse

You will feel like you are seated on the top of the world after you reach the 5,720 foot summit of this granite mountain. The strenuous 1/2 mile hike is worth the effort for the 360 panoramic views. The extreme elevation change will make the people standing in the parking lot look like 2 inch plastic toys in comparison.

Mile Post 431.4 - Highest Point on the Parkway

Located just south of Waynesville, don’t be surprised to find a traffic jam at this scenic outlook. The elevation reaches up to 6,053 feet. Jaw dropping layered mountain views remind me of wave swells in the ocean, reaching out to the edge of the horizon. Enjoy the sounds of the wind coupled with silence.

After you fall in love with the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll want to know which Asheville neighborhoods are closest to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We can't express enough how living near the parkway adds priceless value to the quality of life in Western North Carolina. Ask us for our list of the closest North Carolina mountain communities to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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