Distance
70 miles / 113km
Elevation Gain
7,900ft / 2,407m
Mt. Mitchell Summit Return
#7 on our Great Rides list
Mt. Mitchell Summit Return
This ride climbs slowly but surely up and out of the beer, biking, live music and outdoor activity mecca of Asheville to the summit of Mt Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi.
Location
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
Surface
Paved Road
Difficulty
Level 4
Traffic
Level 1
Discover this ride on our Asheville bike tour
The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Southern Appalachians
You’ll travel from the dense, deciduous forests surrounding Asheville up into the rocky, exposed, alpine environment up on Mt. Mitchell.
You’ll experience quick switch backs right out of Asheville before hopping on the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway where the climbing continues up nearly 6,100ft in 36 miles. Famous for its beautiful views of the Black Mountains, vast surrounding wilderness and incredible foliage and wildlife, a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway should not be passed up. This climb is very long and not for the faint of heart but, don’t let this scare you away because every pedal stroke and 15% grade are worth it for the incredible 360 degree views of this special part of North Carolina.
What you need to know
RIDE DETAILS
This climb is very long and not for the faint of heart but, don’t let this scare you away because every pedal stroke and 15% grade are worth it for the incredible 360 degree views of this special part of North Carolina. Don’t burn all your matches on the ride up because, as you can see in the elevation profile, there is still some significant climbing on the way back down to Asheville. The pavement is in very good condition for the entire Blue Ridge parkway. As a state park, it is well maintained and there is a sizable bike lane for the entire ride. It is important to note that on occasion, the parkway will be closed to bikes and vehicle traffic. This can happen during extreme storms and for much of the winter months.
WEATHER
The weather changes very rapidly in this area. It can be sunny and 85 degrees down in Asheville and windy, dumping rain and 40 degrees up at the summit of Mt. Mitchell. Definitely be prepared to take off and put on layers many times and keep an eye out for storms rolling in.
FUEL
Once leaving Asheville, there are very few resources on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Your first opportunity to use facilities will be at mile 23 at the Craggy Gardens visitors center where there are light snacks, souvenirs and restrooms. There are a handful of facilities and campsites after you turn off the Blue Ridge Parkway to continue to the summit of Mt. Mitchell but they can not always be counted on being open depending on the time of year.
While you’re in town
Asheville is a mecca on the east coast for beer enthusiasts. There are a number of smaller local breweries and several larger, west coast based breweries such as New Belgium and Sierra Nevada that have breweries in the area. Plenty opportunities for a post ride beer!
Asheville is also incredibly popular for live music. Nearly every night of the week, you can find a string band playing live at a bar or venue nearby. In addition to the music scene, Asheville boasts many other festivals featuring local art, culinary events and performing arts. You will nearly never be bored in this town.
While road bike riding is very popular in Asheville, they also boast a slew of other outdoor activities. Rent kayaks or paddle boards and float the French Broad river, pedal the hundreds of miles of single track in the Pisgah national forest on your mountain bike or enjoy one of the many hikes up on the Blue Ridge parkway.
Ready for this ride?
Book early and save. We reward our guests with lower pricing and more dates to choose from the earlier you book. Rest assured, once you book, your price is guaranteed.