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Mountain Drives in McDowell County
Linville Gorge Wilderness Area
(Gravel Road, Steep and Winding, very tight for two cars)
This drive is worth the trip any time of the year, but it is absolutely incredible in the fall of the year. It will take at least 1/2 day to do this trip to give it justice. Pack a picnic lunch and have a picnic at Wiseman Overlook. Set your odometer you will be going 13 miles to the first major turn at Wal-Mart. From the campground go back to Exit 73 entrance and turn left to go into Old Fort, at the stop light after the railroad track turn right on Hwy 70. Follow this road to the intersection of Hwy 221, (next to Wal-Mart), turn left. You will follow 221 (21 miles) to Linville Falls turn right on Rt. 183. (There are several restaurants and gas station at this corner) Go 3/4 miles and Linville Gorge Wilderness Area entrance will be on your right. There is a welcome center at the start of the road. This road is a total of 15 miles and the most speed you should do is 10 miles per hour. You will come upon a fork in the road (within 1 mile after the visitor center) with a sign pointing to the left to Wiseman Overlook. Follow this sign to a parking area and follow the walking trail to the overlook. There is a bathroom in a small block building at the parking lot. There is also a wheel chair path; the path is paved and very good. I won't even try to describe this overlook, it is breathtaking. There is a grass area to have a picnic (watch your children, the overlook is on the edge of a long cliff). After returning to the road follow the road back down the mountain, there are many hiking trails along the way you can stop and enjoy Towards the bottom of the road you will see an incredible view of Lake James. The road will soon turn into a highway, at the first stop sign turn right on Hwy 126W follow this to Hwy 70W and turn right, this will take you into Marion. Turn right on Main St (the courthouse is on your left). Follow this through the five lane to Hwy 70W stop light (there are two left turning lanes) This will take you past Wal-Mart on your right and back to Old Fort.
Curtis Creek State Park
(The road has been damaged by hurricanes,
opening unknown 2009?)
(Gravel road, Steep & Winding)
If you are wishing to drive on the Blue Ridge or visit Mt. Mitchell this is the way to go. From the campground go back to Exit 73 entrance and turn left to go into Old Fort, at the stop light after the railroad track turn right on Hwy 70. Travel past Ethan Allen Plant and Collins and Aikeman Plant; make your first left after the Aikeman Plant, turn on Curtis Creek Road. Follow this road into the State park; the road will turn into gravel. This road winds and curves up the mountainside and will soon intersect the Blue Ridge hwy. Turn left; you will soon reach the entrance to Mt. Mitchell State Park on your right. Follow this road to the top. For your return trip you can continue west on the Blue Ridge Pkwy to Asheville or go back East to Little Switzerland or Boone. You can spend the entire day traveling the Pkwy and not see all the sights
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