The Blue Ridge Mountains Area

The Majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Mountains, a strand of the Appalachian Mountains, contain the highest mountain elevations in the eastern United States and sometimes called the “Rocky Mountains of the East.”

Through major changes, each generation has cherished their Blue Ridge Mountain culture and kept their Appalachian Mountain traditions alive through their music, story telling, folk art, and way of life.

On your travels through the Blue Ridge Mountains, one area to consider visiting is Ashe County. Ashe County is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the most Northwestern County of North Carolina. It is a paradise for nature lovers and contains hundreds of acres of preserved state, county and federal parks. In recent years, it has become the High Country’s destination for ‘the arts’

Your travels through the Blue Ridge Mountains will take you through many small mountain towns of Virginia and North Carolina. One of those small towns could be West Jefferson, North Carolina. The town lies in a valley, with the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the valley. Mount Jefferson State Park with hundreds of acres of natural woodlands and with impressive elevations up to 5,000 feet raises high above the town. Magnificent from a distance, the mountain is best appreciated from the top offering fantastic long-range views into Virginia and Tennessee. On the mountain you will find hiking trails, picnic areas and bird watching venues.

From West Jefferson it’s only a short drive to the community of Glendale Springs, a small village just off the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. Here you will find the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where world-renowned Ben Long, painted his first frescos. At Glendale Springs, an exit off the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find the famous Glendale Springs Inn, Silver Designs, The Northwest Trading Post, Blue Ridge Bakery and Café, and The Paul and Florence Thomas Memorial Art School.

During your travels through the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will find many interesting things to do while visiting North Carolina High Country. You will want to visit the unique towns of Blowing Rock and Boone, NC. Some of the attractions include a visit to Grandfather Mountain, the Blowing Rock, the Mast General Store, Tweetsie Railroad, Emerald Village, and Lineville Caverns. These are just a very few of the many attractions along with the splendor of the Blue Ridge that make the North Carolina High Country a great place to visit or spend a lifetime.

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