Scenic Drive from Hendersonville to the Blue Ridge Parkway And Back

Hendersonville Welcome Center
201 S. Main St.
Hendersonville, NC 28792

• 68 Miles
• Approximately 2 hours of driving time + any stops you decide to take along the way

Beginning on Main Street in Hendersonville, this drive will take you north to the Blue Ridge Parkway, through 10 stone tunnels through the mountains (that were built in the 1930s by FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps — an effort to put men back to work after the Great Depression), along the main road through Pisgah National Forest, through the rolling farmland of Western Henderson County, and eventually back to Downtown Hendersonville. The Blue Ridge Parkway itself is 469 miles long, and this drive takes you across approximately 18 of (arguably) the most beautiful miles of the whole roadway.

This drive is great to do in the spring, summer and fall, but if often closed to car traffic in winter because of unsafe driving conditions and roadwork. You can however park and walk along the roadway in winter (only when the road is closed to cars).

Whenever you drive along the Parkway, be sure to keep in mind that cell service is spotty and there are no gas stations along the parkway. While there are plenty of places to stop for scenic views, photos, hikes and picnic, there are very few facilities available.

1. Depart from the Welcome Center, turning left out of the parking lot onto S Main Street, continuing north for a few blocks.
2. Merge onto Asheville Highway near the 1898 Waverly Inn and Hendersonville Fire Station.
3. In about 1/4 of a mile, turn left onto Haywood Road/NC Route 191. Follow this road for 7 miles. Attractions you may want to stop at along this route include Historic Johnson Farm & Mills River Park, plus you will be close to Bold Rock Hard Cider and Mills River Brewing Company.
4. Turn right when you come to the intersection of NC Route 191 & NC Route 280 at a traffic light. Follow this for about a mile. You will pass Mills River Restaurant and Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s Mills River Location— both serve food.
5. Turn left onto Old Haywood Road/Old NC Route 191. Follow this for about 7 miles.
6. Not long after you see the French Broad River on your right, you will see signs for the Blue Ridge Parkway and the North Carolina Arboretum. Turn left at Frederick Law Olmstead Way, and stay left.
7. Turn right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, heading west. Stay on this road for about 18 miles. There will be many places to stop for hiking, photos, scenic overlooks and more. The only restroom facility you will pass for a while will be at the Pisgah Inn, so be sure to stop there if you need to.
8. Shortly after passing the Cradle of Forestry Overlook on your left, you will want to turn left onto NC Route 276/Pisgah Highway, which takes you winding through Pisgah National Forest. As you drive through the National Forest, you will pass the Cradle of Forestry in America, Looking Glass Falls (a massive, roadside waterfall), many picnic areas, the Davidson River Campground, access to fish or play in the Davidson River, The Pisgah Forest Stables (where you can go horseback trail riding), the Pisgah Ranger’s District’s Visitor Center (maps, brochures and restrooms are available here), and many options for biking and mountain biking.
9. All told, you’ll remain on the same road, Pisgah Highway for about 15 miles until you come out of the National Forest at the intersection of NC Route 280, Pisgah Forest Road and US Route 64. This intersection offers plenty of food options. To get back to Hendersonville, go straight through the intersection onto US Route 64.
10. Follow US Route 64 for about 17 miles until you find yourself back in downtown Hendersonville. Turn right onto Main Street and drive a few short blocks south to the Welcome Center. While driving back towards Hendersonville, you will pass restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream shops, attractions, breweries, antique stores and more.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great option for folks of all ability and mobility levels. Many of the overlooks offer stunning views, even from your car! Get out there and explore, whether that means from your car or from the top of Mount Pisgah. This is one drive you won’t want to miss on your visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains!