5 ways to get out and enjoy the fall colors
When it comes to the autumn season, it is truly Mother Nature’s time to shine. The best place to be during this time is in the North Carolina Mountains. The fall season is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the area! There are many different ways to sight-see in the High Country, with breath-taking views at every turn you’re sure to notice what the mountains have to offer!
# 1 Driving
Driving anywhere throughout the North Carolina High Country, you will see the changing autumn colors, from rich reds, to the bold oranges and gold’s. You have many different scenic byways to choose from in the area. Please see the article about Fall Scenic Drives throughout the High Country!
# 2 Walking / Hiking
With hundreds of hiking and walking trails in the High Country, this is one of the best ways to experience autumn! It is truly a step into nature. Whether you want to walk or hike for a quarter of a mile, or even several miles, the High Country has plenty to offer. For more information about different autumn hikes, please stop by the High Country Host Visitor Center for a full list and begin your journey today!
# 3 Tubing down a River
Tubing down a river is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when leaf-looking! Paddling through the waters is another great way to enjoy the autumn season from a different vantage point. The New River in Ashe County is a wonderful option for you. Just lie back, relax and take in the remarkable colors.
# 4 Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is another great way to get out and explore the High Country in the autumn. The crisp autumn weather makes this a great idea! Horseback riding is a great outdoor adventure for the whole family or even a romantic ride for two. With many different Horseback riding companies in the area, your sure to find the right fit for you!
# 5 Biking
Autumn is an ideal time to wind your way through the scenic mountain roads in the High Country. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a popular place for biking, whether it is a traditional bicycle or a motorcycle. It’s a trilling adventure for any bike enthusiast.
Fall Scenic Drives throughout the North Carolina’s High Country
October is by far the most popular month in the North Carolina High Country, so it makes perfect since that it’s the best place to be during the fall season. With its comfortable climate and pleasant atmosphere, the North Carolina Mountains offer a wide variety of fall festivals and the most vibrant fall foliage. The North Carolina High Country offers a fantastic vacation opportunity for exploring Mother Nature’s masterpiece. There are numerous country roads and scenic byways throughout the mountains to choose from. Whether you are coming for the day or a long weekend, it’s worth the drive to the High Country to experience the true meaning of fall. Here are just a few to choose from, so buckle up and set sail for one spectacular drive through High Country!
There is no better vantage point for viewing the fall foliage than on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Over one hundred miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway runs through the High Country. With breath-taking views at ever turn it’s no wonder it’s America’s Favorite Drive. Your extraordinary journey along the Parkway will boast a kaleidoscope of colors because of the ever changing elevation and its diverse ecosystem. The Blue Ridge Parkway is truly a treasured outdoor playground with its recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, waterfalls, and picnic areas, which provide a great way to get out and sight-see.
If you enjoy scenic drives then you will love Highway 194. There are really two parts to Hwy. 194; the first part is from Vilas, NC to Elk Park, NC, which is about 19 miles. This winding mountain road takes you through the towns of Valle Crucis and Banner Elk. Valle Crucis (in Spanish means, Valley of the Cross) is a small; quaint town which is home to the Original Mast General Store. Built in 1883, the Mast General Store is on the register of Historic places and is definitely a must-see if you’re in the area! On October 16th, Valle Crucis will be hosting the 32nd Annual Valle Fair. Banner Elk is another small town with a lively atmosphere. Banner Elk is home to Lees-McRae College and one of the most popular fall festivals, The Woolly Worm Festival. As you drive through the Banner Elk area you might want to stop and grab a bit to eat at one of the numerous restaurants and do a little shopping. The second part of Hwy. 194 is going North from Boone, NC to West Jefferson, NC. This is a fabulous scenic drive. Along the way you can get out and stretch your legs by hiking up Elk Knob State Park. As you continue down the Todd, NC is very peaceful farm community just 11 miles north of Boone on Hwy. 194. Todd is home to the Todd General Store and the South Fork of the New River. Todd is a wonderful place to get out and bike down the Todd Railroad Grande Road. As you continue, you will come to the town West Jefferson; a town with great personality. There’s a lot to see as you drive through West Jefferson, from murals’ painted on the sides of buildings, Art Galleries and The Cheese Factory. Ashe County is also home to part of the barn quilt trail.
Note: Hwy. 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk is an extremely curvy and narrow stretch of road, so please use caution and watch for on-coming traffic. RV’s and large trailers are not recommended on this stretch of road.
Just like Highway 194, Highway 221 is also broken up into two sections. The first part is Hwy. 221 south between Blowing Rock, NC and Crossnore, NC. Highway 221 south between Blowing Rock and Linville is a very windy and narrow mountain road. This part of Hwy. 221 sits just below the Blue Ridge Parkway, within the tree line so you have a spectacular view of the colors. Crossnore is a quaint community with a lot of history. The community of Crossnore is located off Highway 221 south of Linville, NC. This community is definitely a point of interest. For the second leg of your journey, Hwy. 221 going north from Deep Gap, NC to the Virginia State Line is a wonderful trip to take. Hwy. 221 north is one of the most perfect settings for Mother Nature’s autumn display. As you drive into Ashe County you begin to notice all the numerous Christmas tree farms that surround you! Ashe County back roads display hues of gold and amber, making your drive very picturesque.
Note: Hwy. 221 between Blowing Rock and Linville is an extremely curvy and narrow stretch of road, so please use caution and watch for over-head rocks and trees. RV’s and large trailers are not recommended on this stretch of road.
