Welcome to Virtual Blue Ridge's tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This tour contains many pages of information, each incorporating video, panoramic images, sound and text. Please enjoy our tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway... but remember, nothing beats seeing the real thing on a leisurely visit to the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia!

Begin the Tour with...

• Overlooks -- The Blue Ridge Parkway has over 200 overlooks. They offer scenic vistas, trailhead access points, picnic tables, interpretive signage, trash cans and areas to stretch your legs.
• Parks -- The bulk of the Blue Ridge Parkway lands are it's 12 parks and recreation areas. These parks contain the majority of the trails and activities available along the parkway.
• Trails -- There are over 117 trails with miles upon miles of explorable terrain. There are trails ranging from leisurely strolls to hikes only the experienced should attempt.
• Visitor Centers -- The visitor centers offer the most information on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the visitor centers, you can inquire about questions you may have on your journey. This is also where you can pick up guidebooks and maps as you travel.

The future for the Virtual Blue Ridge project will bring additional content including new photos, 360° panoramas, movies and audio voice-overs. This is a project that is worked on daily and we look forward to a future of providing the best information and resources for the Blue Ridge Parkway.

You may also enjoy our Photo Journal and Blue Ridge Parkway Information pages.

This Parkway tour would not be possible were it not for our friends, partners and, most importantly, our dedicated employees. We would like to extend the utmost of gratitude to each and every one of these special people, companies and organizations.

Our Patrons. We would like to begin by thanking each and every one of the visitors to this web site. Without your need for the information that we provide, their would be no use for this valuable resource. Thank you all so much for visiting our site and sharing the input with us to better our project on a daily basis.

Arthur J. Veler (Joe), Founder. This Parkway tour is the creation and dream of our founding partner, Joe. Joe worked at Appalachian State University as a programmer and was the "brains" behind a virtual tour of the Belk Library, Farthing Auditorium and the Plemmons Student Union. He decided to take his knowledge and fathomed the idea that started this project and his dedication is a good part of what has kept the project alive. Many thanks to Joe for his ideas, intellect, direction and dedication.

David L. Davis (Dave), Co-Founder. Dave has been involved with this project from the beginning and was Joe's first pick to design the web site, advertising and layout. His dedication and graphic ability has also been a large part in keeping Virtual Blue Ridge together. When you think of the layout of our project, think of Dave and his creative genious. Many thanks to Dave for his creative inspiration, direction and dedication.

James M. Davis (Marty), Photographer. Marty became a member of the Virtual Blue Ridge team in 2000 and is responsible for 95% of the photographic images in this virtual tour. He is also responsible for most of the images in our treasured Photo Journal. Many thanks to Marty for his willingness to stay on the Parkway for days at a time, photographic abilities, drive and dedication.

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. We would certainly like to thank our friends at the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Since the beginning they have offered a helping hand in direction, resources and marketing. Thank you Dr. Medford!

Menasha Ridge Press. Menasha Ridge Press publishes several books on the Blue Ridge Parkway that are available in the Books section of our online store. Several portions of their books find their way into the descriptions in our Blue Ridge Parkway Tour. Many thanks to Menasha Ridge Press and their offering of content to make our web site and this virtual tour the premier resource for the Blue Ridge Parkway.