During summer and fall 2025, take the High Country Road Trip that includes one of the most scenic sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 50-mile driving tour loop begins in Banner. Along the way, discover than 500 stops that include attractions, hikes, shops, galleries, and restaurants, along with the charming downtowns of Blowing Rock and Boone.
Longtime favorite attractions along the way include Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park, Mystery Hill, Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, original Mast General Store and Apple Hill Alpaca Farm. Find something for the entire family to enjoy. Tip: See below for places offering online tickets and reservations.
Pair the High Country Road Trip illustrated map with your GPS to create your own itinerary. Explore it in a day or a week!
Below is a mile-by-mile guide with highlights as you drive the loop counterclockwise from Banner Elk – the quickest route to reach the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Mile 0.0: Banner Elk Stoplight! Begin your trip on NC 184 South / Shawneehaw Ave South
0.5 Mile: Turn right onto Hickory Nut Gap Rd for Banner House Museum & Wildcat Lake Beach
2.7 Miles: Sugar Creek Gem Mine
2.7 Miles: Turn right for Sugar Mountain Public Golf & Tennis and Weekend Scenic Lift Rides & Bike Park (July & Aug) at Sugar Mountain Resort. See the Village of Sugar Mountain Visitor Guide for things to do.
2.9 Miles: Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster & Adventure Center. Buy tickets online.
4.2 Miles: Avery Co Chamber Visitor Center (4501 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk)
4.2 Miles: Turn right onto NC 105 South
8.1 Miles: Welcome to Linville! Turn left onto US 221 North
10.4 Miles: Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate. Buy tickets online.
11.5 Miles: Turn left onto Blue Ridge Parkway entrance ramp. At Parkway, turn right (south) for Beacon Heights Hiking Trail parking area. Turn left to continue the loop north. Milepost 305.2
12.4 Miles: Linn Cove Viaduct rest stop & trail to walk underneath Viaduct. Milepost 294.6
13.9 Miles: Rough Ridge Hike – parking area on left. Milepost 302.8
17.3 Miles: Boone Fork Parking Area. Access to Daniel Boone Scout Trail to Grandfather Mountain Summit. Milepost 299.9
20.4 Miles: Price Lake: Hiking, boating, Boone Fork Trail Loop. Milepost 296.7
21.6 Miles: Green Knob Trailhead. Milepost 295.9
23.5 Miles: Moses Cone Park with 25 miles of hiking trails & Manor House with craft shop and info center. Milepost 294.1
25.5 Miles: Exit Parkway for US 321. Milepost 292.1. Go right (south) for a 1-mile detour to downtown Blowing Rock. Turn left (north) to continue loop toward Boone. See the Blowing Rock Visitor Guide for things to do.
25.8 Miles: High Country Host Visitor Center (6370 US-321, Blowing Rock)
27.3 Miles: Mystery Hill Attractions
28 Miles: Tweetsie Railroad Wild West Theme Park. Buy tickets online.
28 Miles: High Gravity Zip Line & Aerial Park
29.8 Miles: Turn right onto Fairway drive to Boone Golf Club (public)
32 Miles: Turn left onto King Street / US 421 North. See the Boone Visitor Guide for things to do.
32.5 Miles: Downtown Boone / Turn LEFT on Depot St to continue loop or explore Appalachian State University.
32.6 Miles: Turn RIGHT on Rivers St / Poplar Grove Road
34.6 Miles: Turn RIGHT onto NC 105 South
37.6 Miles: Turn RIGHT onto Broadstone Road toward Valle Crucis
40.7 Miles: Original Mast General Store. Go back 2/10 of a mile to intersection to continue loop.
40.9 Miles: Turn onto NC 194 South
42.2 Miles: Crab Orchard Falls Trailhead / Park at Holy Cross Episcopal Church
44.6 Miles: Apple Hill Farm – turn right onto Oliver Hill Rd for 1.4 miles. Buy tickets online.
46.8 Miles: Banner Elk Winery – turn right
48.3 Miles: Return to Banner Elk stoplight
In addition, find even more things to do with short side trips including a winding drive up to Beech Mountain (see the Beech Mountain Visitor Guide). Happy traveling!