Most recently updated October 15th, 2024
Estimated Reading Time: 16 minutes
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through or very near areas of North Carolina and Virginia that were hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.
The North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed, along with many other NC State Parks. That said, the Virginia side of the BRP and many surrounding communities are open for business and could really use your Fall vacation dollars to help rebuild!
Go to my Hurricane Helene page to get the latest updates on the latest area Park, Trail and road repairs.
I’ve been driving the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) in North Carolina and Virginia to get between places for more than 25 years.
But, I have to admit – until the last couple of years – I have completely neglected Blue Ridge Parkway hikes!
Then last year, a hiking friend introduced me to the Rock Castle Gorge trail near Rocky Knob on the BRP. Ever since then I’ve kept an eye peeled for new Parkway hikes I could try.
And this summer… I found some! 🙂
This past season, I hiked some trails in and around Grandfather Mountain State Park (more on that later) and found myself driving the Parkway more than once to get from my lodgings in Banner Elk, NC to nearby trailheads and attractions.
One afternoon I finished a hike earlier than planned, and spotted Moses Cone Memorial Park on the way back.
It was a beautiful day, and I still had a couple of hours until sundown so I stopped to check it out.
I found beautiful grounds with 25 miles of hikes along old carriage roads, including a 5-mile RT hike to the Flat Rock Observation Tower!
Read on to learn more about the Flat Top Tower hike in Moses Cone Memorial Park and all of the other beautiful bridle and hiking trails you can experience there, too.
Continue reading Hike to the Flat Top Observation Tower on the Blue Ridge Parkway