ROUTE Mt. Mitchell from Asheville Folk Arts Center
1.5 hours from Kingsport.I-26,E.I-240 to Rt. 70/Tunnel Road to Blue Ridge Pkway N., 0.8 m to FAC.
Check www.nps.gov/blri/ for closure information
Parkway regulations are for a white light or reflector visible at least 500 feet to the front
and a red light or reflector visible at least 200 feet to the rear during periods of low
visibility, or while traveling through a tunnel.
Cum. GoTurn Description
0.0 0.0 - - LEAVING Folk Arts Center Parking Lot right of bus/RV area. 9:35 start,2260'
Alternate start: 70/Town Mtn. Road at Executive Park center: steeper
0.3 0.3 L - left on to Blue Ridge Parkway North, MP 382.0
4.0 NC 694/ Town Mtn. Road (Not marked on the parkway) MP 377.4, ~3050'
7.7 First Tunnel ~ 1/4 mile long (Tanbark 727')
pass through several cimatic zones with different vegetation.
pass Craggy Gardens picnic area MP367.6
16.9 Second Tunnel ~ 0.1 mile long (Craggy Flats 335')
17.7 Craggy Garden Visitor Center Water/Restroom, MP 364.4, ~5560'
18.0 Third (last Tunnel) ~0.1 mile long (Craggy Pinnacle 176')
Two mile downhill to Balsam Gap, 5050'
23.9 Highest point on BRP North of Asheville, ~5650'
View of Asheville Bee Tree Reservoir below
27.1 26.8 L - Mt Mitchell State Park turn, Rt. 128, 12:45, MP 355.4, 5180'
27.8 Mileage Sign for park & to top
29.5 Mt. Mitchell Park gate 1:15, levels out some
30.2 pass Restaraunt enterance
31.9 4.8 U - MM Parking Lot 5500' vertical climbing, as8.6 1:35, Alt 6578'
walk the trail to the observation tower at 6684'
33.7 L leave restaraunt 2:36
34.5 pass Park Enterance
36.8 4.8 R - ON TO Blue Ridge Parkway South, MPP 355.4
39.9 Highest point on Parkway
44.5 ENTER Craggy Gardens
45.6 Begin 10 mile downhill
46.1 Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, Water/ Restroom, 3:40, MP 355.4
56.0 Last/ long Tunnel (727')
56.9 begin uphill
59.0 Cragin Gap / Tunnel Mtn. Road?
63.6 26.8 R Turn into Folk Arts Center MP 382.0
63.95 F - Finish AS 11.4, 4:45, 6981' total climb
68mile route map, Other routes are shorter versions of these roads.