BALSAM GROVE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Don’t let the name fool you. Devil’s Courthouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway boasts some truly angelic views, even if the hike up is hellish on the calves. Read more in our hiking guide below.
Fast facts
- Devil’s Courthouse is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 422. Park in the spacious roadside lot, featuring views of the outlook in the distance.
- Devil’s Courthouse is a challenging hike. The way up may be a scant half-mile, but the hike is exceptionally steep, with fewer rest benches than I’d like.
- The outlook intersects with a tributary of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, making a longer trek possible for those seeking a lengthier adventure.
- While walking off-trail is never encouraged, it is particularly prohibited at Devil’s Courthouse, which is home to nesting peregrine falcons and other rare flora and fauna. Stay on the marked route.
Devilishly handsome views
After parking in the Devil’s Courthouse lot and snapping a photo of the terrace from below, walk down the path along the Blue Ridge Parkway toward the tunnel. The trail will take a right turn into the trees.
The hike up to the summit gets very steep, very fast. Most of the path is paved, so most shoes are acceptable for the ascent, but pace yourself. There are a smattering of rest benches on the way up, but pausing along the ridges in the tarmac is more than understandable.
After a brutal .3 miles, the trail flattens out a great deal, switching from pavement to gravel and turning to the right. At this juncture, hikers will see the connector to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail to the left.
The rest of the route features beautiful rock slabs, which are uneven, but fun to navigate. A wooden fence and a couple of stone steps mark the final walk up to the summit.
The views from Devil’s Courthouse are nothing short of breathtaking. There are few sights better along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mountains are visible from virtually every direction.
The actual summit is a little uneven, with several levels to gaze out from. Watch your step walking over it.
There are also bits of unusual flora to admire, like these berry-heavy branches covered with tufts of lichen.
Another fun feature of the Devil’s Courthouse summit are several plaques identifying the location of several mountainous landmarks in relation to the summit. Can you spot the peaks on the plaques?
I have fond memories from when I was a kid of enjoying sun butter and honey tortillas at Devil’s Courthouse. After gobbling down your own, enjoy a much easier descent down to the parking lot.
