Blue Ridge Parkway - Humpback Rocks Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

6
PDI
10.3 mi
DISTANCE
1,721 ft
GAINED
2.2 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Dan Razum, San Jose, CA

INTRO

Cycle the entire Blue Ridge Parkway – see PJAMM’s March 2022, 467-mile adventure on the PJAMM Adventures App: Blue Ridge Parkway.  See also our Climbs of the BRP (NC to VA) and Climbs of the BRP (VA to NC).

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Not Yet Rated
-
Road
-
Traffic
-
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES

Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
ALL TRIPS
Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure!
Smoky Mountain National Park
United States (NC,TN)
17 ROUTES
31 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
181.8
mi
DISTANCE
34,253
ft
ELEV. GAIN
The Blue Ridge Parkway (North)
United States (NC,TN,VA)
38 ROUTES
70 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
716.5
mi
DISTANCE
75,697
ft
ELEV. GAIN
The Blue Ridge Parkway (South)
United States (NC,TN,VA)
30 ROUTES
63 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
690.7
mi
DISTANCE
74,180
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

FROM
No Climbs Found

MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

Let us know what you thought of this climb. Signup for our FREE membership to write a review or post a comment.
Already have an account?
ROUTE MAP
PROFILE TOOL
Route Data
S.G. (%)
hide
Segment Data
hide

Climb Profile Not Found
CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Humpback Rocks - Blue Ridge Parkway

Ride 10.3 miles gaining 1,721’ at 2.2% average grade (4.5% climb only)

Climb summary by PJAMM ambassador Dan Razum.

The climb starts at the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is technically the beginning of the BRP (mile marker 0).  This is a fairly long climb, but there are several downhill sections and the gradient isn't too steep so it isn't overly difficult.  The scenery is amazing, with many views of the valleys below.  A couple of the overlooks do require a little bit of walking to reach the viewpoint but there are enough overlooks that don't require any walking that we didn't feel like we missed anything by not hiking up every overlook.

The point of the Blue Ridge Parkway is to soak in and enjoy the natural scenery.  It isn't meant to be a road for getting from point A to point B but rather a road to be enjoyed for the ride itself.  There are quicker roads for people who just want to reach their destination and because of this, traffic wasn't too heavy or fast; it was mostly just people enjoying the drive. The road is two lanes with no shoulder but we didn't have any problems with traffic during mid summer; in fact, the traffic was significantly lighter than many other roads we've ridden and the drivers were all courteous. However, there could be

more traffic in early fall, when the leaves change color.  The pavement is in great condition, very smooth with no pot holes, it is well maintained.

Although we call this climb Humpback Rocks, the climb actually continues a ways past the Humpback Rocks, it ends at Rock Point Overlook. In fact, the climb doesn't really end anywhere, the BRP is such that it goes up and down mountains for 450+ odd miles so after Rock Point Overlook you can go downhill for a few miles and then start climbing again, and rinse and repeat, as long as you like.  However, the top of this climb is the local high point for several miles, so it is convenient way to classify this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Ride past Humpback Rocks

There is no entrance fee or toll on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  If you head north from our starting point, the road is then called Skyline Drive and it is part of Shenandoah National Park, which does have an entrance fee.

Finish