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View of Soco Gap – Plott Balsam Overlook loop from Black Camp Gap

View of Soco Gap – Plott Balsam Overlook loop from Black Camp Gap

Hard

3.1

(26)

riders

View of Soco Gap – Plott Balsam Overlook loop from Black Camp Gap

02:53

45.8km

1,240m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

Last updated: May 28, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Blue Ridge Parkway

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Get Directions

4.57 km

View of Soco Gap

Highlight • Viewpoint

At Milepost 455.5, you can hop off the parkway and check out Soco Gap. There are some spotty clearings with views of the surrounding mountains from the actual gap up here, but there aren't really any views from the official overlook down on the parkway at the pull-off.

Tip by

8.21 km

Plott Balsam Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Plott Balsam Overlook is located at Milepost 457.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The overlook includes some informational signs that go along with the sweeping views of the valleys and ridges that can be seen from up at 5,020 feet.

Tip by

10.2 km

Mile High Overlook

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Heintooga Ridge Road is a spur-road off the side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is mostly utilized for gaining backdoor entry into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road is completely paved and has a handful of overlooks managed by the Park Service along the roadway, and the road turns into Balsam Mountain Road at the end of the pavement. Balsam Mountain Road is a gravel road that is perfect for gravel and hybrid bikes.

Tip by

45.8 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

35.7 km

7.75 km

2.14 km

200 m

Surfaces

38.1 km

7.75 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,630 m)

Lowest point (1,090 m)

Weather

Today

Friday 26 June

25°C

13°C

55 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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View of Soco Gap – Plott Balsam Overlook loop from Black Camp Gap

View of Soco Gap

Plott Balsam Overlook

Mile High Overlook

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