|
CUMBERLAND KNOB TRAIL
Located near the Virginia state line, Cumberland Knob at milepost
217.5, elevation 2,885 feet, was the first recreational area
completed on the Blue Ridge Parkway back in 1937. On the 1,000 acres
at Cumberland Knob you can picnic, hike, listen to interpretive
talks by rangers or simply marvel at the view. A pleasant 20-minute
loop, the Cumberland Knob Trail is an easy paved walk of only a
half-mile, starts at the visitor center, swings through a picnic
area and up to the Cumberland Knob overlook shelter. This is a good
leg-stretching trail, especially if you’ve been riding the Parkway
without a stop. It’s a good one for kids too. For those wanting a
bit more...try the two-hour loop trail from the center into Gulley
Creek Gorge. Drinking water, restrooms, a book shop and a public
telephone are available. Woodlands and open fields, housing a
variety of birds and other wildlife, are ideal for leisurely walks or
a more demanding hike to nearby Gully Creek.
THINGS TO DO:
-
Trails - There are two trails accessible from the visitor
center that range from easy to strenuous. The Cumberland
Knob Trail is a 20-minute stroll through a mixed hardwood
forest. The more serious hiker will find the Gully Creek
Trail a greater challenge.
-
Fishing - There is fishing available in the Chestnut Creek
area, mileposts 215 - 217. Anyone with a valid Virginia or
North Carolina fishing license is welcome, but please check
at the visitor center for any special regulations.
|
|
