Each year, millions of people explore the Blue Ridge Parkway and the extraordinary views found from hundreds of overlooks and trails that provide endless ways to make family memories to cherish for a lifetime. One overlook, located approximately an hour southwest of Asheville near Gloucester, is two overlooks in one and doles out a view of four states!
The highest of the two overlooks is found at the top of a summit named Devil’s Courthouse — notoriously named after a Cherokee legend.
TripAdvisor/Jeff M From the summit at Devils Courthouse, visitors can stand in North Carolina and see three more states. But the view FROM Devil’s Courthouse isn’t the only view available at this overlook.
There’s also the view OF Devil’s Courthouse.
TripAdvisor/NoAviary It’s a commanding peak with an elevation of 5,720 feet and presenting with an ominous character befitting of its’ Cherokee name.
Devil’s Courthouse, seen in much more detail here, was named for the devil the Cherokees believed resided and conducted his official business in a cave hidden somewhere within the majestic rock formation.
Flickr/Manish Vohra Fortunately, the trail leading to the summit of Devil’s Courthouse is both short and does not lead past the devil’s cave.
To hike to the top, visitors endure a bit of a climb with a vertical gain of 257 feet in just under half a mile.
alltrails/Robert User For most, it’s doable in under 30 minutes to reach the summit.
A stone opera box and other spots on the summit provide the perfect perches for viewing North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/relayer It’s a well-traveled trail, so make sure you’re prepared to share the ‘road,’ so to speak. In fact, it’s best to wait until after the need for social distancing before tackling this popular hike.
The trail starts out with a fully-paved surface but that’s doesn’t last forever.
alltrails/Mark -
Soon, you’ll find some uneven footing and a much more challenging climb. Come prepared for a bit of a (short) workout.
alltrails/Terri Pensabene
And don’t forget to arrive with a full charge on your phone or camera so you can get some fantastic photos of the forever views.
TripAdvisor/John S Sure, this spot may be called “Devil’s Courthouse,” but it feels like Heaven.
Learn more about the trail up to the summit at Devil’s Courthouse from our friends at AllTrails. The parking area for this hike is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 422.4.
TripAdvisor/Jeff M
From the summit at Devils Courthouse, visitors can stand in North Carolina and see three more states. But the view FROM Devil’s Courthouse isn’t the only view available at this overlook.
TripAdvisor/NoAviary
It’s a commanding peak with an elevation of 5,720 feet and presenting with an ominous character befitting of its’ Cherokee name.
Flickr/Manish Vohra
Fortunately, the trail leading to the summit of Devil’s Courthouse is both short and does not lead past the devil’s cave.
alltrails/Robert User
For most, it’s doable in under 30 minutes to reach the summit.
TripAdvisor/relayer
It’s a well-traveled trail, so make sure you’re prepared to share the ‘road,’ so to speak. In fact, it’s best to wait until after the need for social distancing before tackling this popular hike.
alltrails/Mark -
alltrails/Terri Pensabene
TripAdvisor/John S
Sure, this spot may be called “Devil’s Courthouse,” but it feels like Heaven.
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Address: Devil’s Courthouse, Gloucester, NC 28708, USA
