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Ten years after this poll’s inaugural launch, we once again turned to our knowledgeable readers for their picks. The results? A brand-new collection of 71 exceptional Blue Ridge communities that excel at bringing big smiles to the faces of both residents and visitors.
Paddling trips on scenic rivers to great mountain towns make for perfect summer getaways.
Our longtime contributing editor knows Great Smoky Mountains National Park like the back of her hand. Drawing inspiration from countless visits over the years, she shares some of her favorite spots to explore during the warm months, plus insider tips for spotting wildlife, discovering waterfalls,
More than a century after the 1921 West Virginia Miners’ March that ended with the Battle of Blair Mountain, the story is being told in new and unforgettable ways.
Lee “Natty” Trebotich transforms wild plants and outdoor know-how into unique experiences worth savoring.
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CURRENT FEATURES
More than 70 years after she first took to the rails, the legendary Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 continues to inspire both passengers
More than outposts for gearing up, these seven mountain communities are destinations in their own right, pairing easy access to some of the region’s best
A log cabin in Eagle Rock, Virginia, is the latest project for Maisie Leach of Hermione Interiors—and her most personal.
Long before modern healthcare reached many Appalachian communities, Granny Women became trusted healers and caregivers, delivering babies, treating illness and injury, and preserving generations of
In 1926, renowned writer Sherwood Anderson moved from center stage in Chicago to the mountains of far Southwest Virginia. Why?
PHOTO ESSAYS
Our contributing photographers capture the vibrant colors of fall from—and looking toward—some of the Blue Ridge’s most glorious summits.
DEPARTMENTS
Twenty-five years ago, a small festival dedicated to the music forged from the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains took root.
“There are only 10 minutes in the life of [the average] pear when it is perfect to eat.” —Abraham Lincoln, amended by Ginny Neil
“At my core, I’m a proud Carolina girl, foodie, travel and music lover, and farmer’s daughter.”
States across the Blue Ridge are investing in wildlife crossings to protect animals and improve roadway safety.
The once-private estate of enigmatic heiress Eugenia Williams is now open to visitors.
Do You Love Great Stories About the Blue Ridge Mountains? We Do Too!
Help Us Continue Our Mission of Covering the Mountains of the South. Thank You!
WEB EXTRAS
The Summer Rambo is not a particularly attractive apple, but it has other charms.
Containing no chlorophyll, this plant rises from the soil on translucent, waxy-looking stems, and the pinkish-white flower nods back toward the ground, giving the whole
With breathtaking mountain views, majestic waterfalls, and brilliant fall foliage, the Upcountry of South Carolina is the ultimate autumn destination to experience the magic of
Like spotted jewelweed and trumpet tine, the flower’s deep throat and red color make it attractive to ruby-throated hummingbirds, who are its main pollinators.
COUNTRY ROADS
Don't let the striking appearance of this troublesome pest fool you.
A project to repair the Virginia Creeper Trail is spurring growth in this beloved AT town.
New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.