South from Roanoke, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds another 100 miles before crossing the North Carolina border. This midsection of the Parkway, especially the first 25 miles south of Roanoke, runs at a lower elevation across a more settled and cultivated landscape than the rugged ridge tops followed elsewhere. In place of the spectacular vistas, you’ll see many more houses and small farms, a few pioneer cabins (preserved and not), miles of split-rail fences, and some picturesque cemeteries. The southern reaches, approaching the North Carolina border, get better and better.
Milepost 122: The city of Roanoke.
Milepost 154.5: A two-mile loop trail leads to a pioneer cabin overlooking the Smart View for which it’s named. Blooming dogwoods abound in May.
Milepost 165.2: At Tuggles Gap, the junction with Hwy-8 has a motel, a restaurant, and a gas station, also a small cemetery right along the Parkway.
Mileposts 167–174: The 4,800-acre Rocky Knob area contains a campground (540/745-9664), a visitors center near the Meadows of Dan (540/745-9662), and a 10-mile roundtrip trail at Milepost 167.1 leading down through Rock Castle Gorge.
Milepost 176.1: A short trail leads to Mabry Mill, in use 1910–35. In summer, interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing and milling skills. A coffee shop (open May–Oct. only) sells old-fashioned pancakes made from stone-ground flour, plus country hams and hamburgers.
Milepost 189: Near the midpoint of the Parkway, atop Groundhog Mountain, the Doe Run Lodge (276/398-2212) offers spacious, modern, chalet-style cabins (with a pool and tennis courts) and a “fine dining” restaurant.
Milepost 199–200: Junction with US-52, which runs south to Mount Airy, North Carolina, and with I-77 freeway, running south to Charlotte.
Milepost 216.9: Virginia/North Carolina border.
