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Appx how long does it take to complete this drive? I certainly know 28 miles on this is considerable longer than 28 miles on the highway! I am just trying to see how much time I should allot while I am in the area if my husband and I take this drive! We are also thinking about the Deep Creek Trail/Falls/Tubing as well!
ReplyHey Jamie – It takes about 60 – 90 minutes if you don’t stop much, longer if you do. Deep Creek is a wonderful area, while you’re there, but sure and drive to the Road to Nowhere. We have guides for both here on our website.
ReplyMy apologies for not responding – The road is open until the end of October, then closes until in the spring.
ReplyI did the Heintooga Round Bottom Road in my dad’s old 2000 Ford Ranger, at the end of October 2017, and had no problems. Take it slow and easy and you’ll be fine! (This is a gorgeous drive and I’d recommend 2-2.5 hours if you plan to take photos.)
*Even though this is a drive, not a hike, take provisions such as blankets, snacks and water, in the event of emergency. [Although there are restrooms at the top of Balsam Mountain, they are closed for Fall/Winter and are boarded up.]
ReplyYes, no problem – I would just avoid it right after rain, as it can get a little muddy in spots.
ReplyNot sure I understand, but the road isn’t wide enough for side by side vehicles unless you were on an offroad motorcycle.
ReplyOH my! We just drove this lovely road this week, June 13, 2018. It was spectacular! There are so many wildflowers! We had to drive slow enough to not miss some of the blooming dainties…so for us the drive took at least 2-3 hours. Loved it!
ReplyI’ll be there in the next 2 weeks this sounds awesome and something I’d love to do. I have a Chevy Impala not a truck or SUV, do y’all think it would make the trip?
ReplyIntend to visit GSMNP mid-April 2019. Where to start from Bryson City, Cherokee to get on the last part of this Heintooga drive. Just want to do this drive up to the big bridge you described above (walking if one-way to bridge).
ReplyThanks sooo much for the great preview of the drive. We are much obliged!
ReplyYou are very welcome, glad you found it helpful! We’re hoping to do a video of the drive this year, once it opens back up.
ReplyThey also call the rugged road “Balsam Mountain Road” I notice.
ReplyCan I take my front wheel drive Chevy Cruz on heintooga round bottom road?
ReplyWent on Sunday in my Jeep Cherokee, which is a 4×4
Enjoyed the drive
Will definitely try to go back in the fall before the road closes
Heintoogah Ridge road off BRPW. Where heintooga bottom road? I like to know where I am going and exactly where I exiting. Using the google map on my phone, it looks like somewhere along the way, the road becomes Balsam mt road, then maybe it was straight fork road., which runs into cove road.The parkway mini map I have isnt much help. My wife likes adventure. Some of my adventures almost took me over a cliff to my doom
ReplyThere are complete directions in the article above. If you turn onto Heintooga Rd/Balsam Mountain Rd off the parkway, and follow it all the way down, it will literally run right into the gravel Heintooga Round Bottom Rd.
ReplyWe made the trip today. F150 crewcab had no problem. We drove slowly to enjoy the scenery. I was glad my skinny tires did not slide off the rims on a very tight switchback coming down the mountain.
ReplyA beautiful unbothered piece of beautiful woods, creeks in the GSMNP and we drove it with a 2 wheel drive Nissan and no probems. The road was dry and few wet spots. We didn’t start into it until after 5 pm and even then it was well worth the drive. It was truly worth the drive.
ReplyDoes this close promptly at the end of October? Have a trip the 6th of November and trying to figure out if by chance it will still be accessible.
ReplyWould a dual sport “Adventure” motorcycle work on this road? I’ve got a BMW 650 GS I’d like to try out.
ReplyYea, it would be fine, and we’ve seen a few there. The road is closed now though, and won’t open again until the Spring.
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