The Blue Ridge Parkway takes up where Skyline Drive ends, continuing south toward North Carolina for another 217 miles as it winds its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiking opportunities abound along the parkway, from short dayhikes to longer loop hikes, many of which hook up with the Appalachian Trail.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Getting there: From Washington, D.C., take Interstate 66 to U.S. 15/29 and follow that south to Charlottesville. In Charlottesville, pick up Interstate 64 and take it north to Rockfish Gap, where the Blue Ridge Parkway heads south and Skyline Drive north. Follow the Blue Ridge Parkway south to mile 51.5 and an unmarked parking area where the Appalachian Trail crosses the parkway. Alternately, you can take U.S. 29 south from Charlottesville to Amherst, where you pick up U.S. 60. Take this west to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take the parkway south to milepost 51.5. Once there, follow the parkway north 0.4 mile to a gated road on the left. Follow this road for 0.2 mile to USFS 164 on the left. Take this to Bluff Mountain.

Permit information: No permit is required to camp along the Appalachian Trail.

Maps: Maps are available at outdoors stores and through the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC Pedlar District Map or PATC Map #13). USGS quadrangles will also suffice: Buena Vista, Snowden, and Glasgow.

Practical information: This hike is moderate in intensity.

Recommended guides: Appalachian Trail Guide to Central Virginia by the ATC. For a general guide to the parkway, try Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway by Victoria Logue, Frank Logue, and Nicole Blouin.