Waterrock Knob stands at 6,292 feet near milepost 451 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the highest and most dramatic viewpoints on the whole road, with a vast panorama of the Great Smoky Mountains to the west and the Plott Balsam range to the east. The visitor centre sits on a high shoulder of the mountain, and a steep, rocky trail climbs to the summit, rewarding the effort with a view that, on a clear day, covers dozens of ridges stacked up into the distance, blue and then paler blue. At sunset, the whole landscape turns pink and gold.
The Parkway reaches its highest point a little to the north, at Richland Balsam, at 6,053 feet, and this section, with its spruce and fir forest, is cool and dark, with the smell of Christmas trees. The road ends at the southern terminus near Cherokee, a town on the Qualla Boundary, the land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, which has a museum of Cherokee history, a theatre and a casino. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States, begins there, and the road over Newfound Gap, with its long views, is one of the great mountain roads of the East.
The riding on this section is superb. The Parkway climbs through high balds and spruce forests with long, flowing curves, tunnels and overlooks, and the surface is generally smooth. It is the highest part of the road, with the temperature much lower than in the valleys, and fog, rain and even snow can occur in any season, so carry warm and waterproof clothing. Wildlife, including deer, bears and wild turkeys, is common, particularly at dawn and dusk. The Parkway has a speed limit of 45 miles an hour, and rangers enforce it.
Fuel, food and coffee are off the road. Maggie Valley, seven kilometres away, has stations, shops and restaurants, and Waynesville, fourteen kilometres away, has more, and Cherokee has everything. The visitor centre has a small shop and toilets, but no food. Check for closures before you go, since the Parkway suffers from storms and landslides, particularly after the 2024 hurricane damage in the region.
Bring a jacket, choose a clear evening and climb the trail to the top. The wind is cool, the view is huge, and the silence is deep.