Cherokee-BlueRidgePky-ChimneyRock-Franklin


Overview:

This route takes you from the Kickstand Lodge up through Cherokee and onto the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Asheville. This is absolutely the finest stretch of the BRP and includes the best scenic views and the best curves. The route then goes down US 74-A to Chimney Rock. Leaving Chimney Rock you travel on US 64 through Hendersonville and Brevard. Then, US 64 joins with Hwy 28 in Highlands and procedes to Franklin. Finally, Hwy 28 from Franklin takes you back to the Kickstand Lodge.

Total length - 261 miles


Places of interest:

  • Cherokee
  • Waterrock Knobe (BRP)
  • Scenic overlooks (BRP - too numerous to mention)
  • Chimney Rock
  • Highlands (lots of shopping for the ladies)
  • Bridal Veil Falls (Hwy 28 between Highlands and Franklin)

Best twisties:
  • Hwy 28 - (The last 10 miles of Hwy 28 coming from Franklin to Hwy 19 is my all-time favorite road.)
  • Hwy 74-A
  • US 64/Hwy 28 from Highlands to Franklin
  • BRP (all kinds of curves....twisties, sweepers, etc)

Gas Recommendations:

There is no gas available on the BRP. It's best to top-off in Cherokee. US 74-A has lots of gas stations just after you leave the BRP. Hwy 64 from Chimney Rock to Highlands has lots of gas stations, as does Hwy 28 into and out of Franklin.

Warnings:

It's best to try and plan your time so that you don't come through Hendersonville and Brevard during rush hour. Sometimes, it's just not possible to do this, but the rush hour traffic in those areas is annoying. Additional Recommendations:
  • Always bring raingear. The weather in this part of the country can go from "absolutely beautiful" to "monsoon" in a matter of minutes.
  • If you're riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, bring some additional clothing. At the highest parts of the BRP, the temperature can sometimes be as much as 30 degrees cooler than at lower elevations.


You can download a GPX file to add this ride to your GPS by right-clicking on the
link and clicking "Save Target As" (Internet Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Firefox)

Cherokee-BlueRidgePky-ChimneyRock-Franklin GPX

Kickstand Lodge Home Page