If you stop at mile marker #420.2 along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can look over towards Cold Mountain, the setting for Charles Frasier's best selling book by the same name. The book tells the story of Frasier's ancestors during the time near the end of the Cicil War.  It is a wonderfully descriptive chronicling of the life of a few families who lived and farmed in this remote wilderness

The trailhead at Balsam Spring Road will allow you access to a challenging 8 mile long trail leading up to the top of Cold Mountain, but the trailhead is as far as you can get with a vehicle.  The enitre area, which is within the boundaries of the boundaries of the Pisgah National Forest, has been declared an official wilderness.  That means that the trail is rough and often ill defined, and that cars and other mechanical devices are not allowed.   The elevation at the Balsam Springs overlook is 4,710' and the view of the 6,030' Cold Mountain peak is magnificent.

Note:  252 miles of the 469-mile long Blue Ridge Parkway are located in North Carolina.  The highest peak reaches up to 6,047 feet and there are enough overlooks and trails to satisfy event the most critical traveler.