Devils Courthouse - Blue Ridge Parkway

Devils Courthouse is a large south facing rock formation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is easily viewed from the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile 422.4 or just less than one mile north (compass northeast) of the intersection with NC 215 at Beech Gap.

A 2300 foot trail climbs over 250 feet to a viewpoint atop the rock formation. About half of the trail is paved with the upper portion gravel and rock. This nearly ½ mile walk gains elevation on a steep average grade of 11%. A stone wall around the  viewing area was built to keep visitors from falling over the edge or wandering into sensitive areas used by nesting peregrine falcons. Several markers help visitors determine which mountains are visible in each direction. The views from the top are some of the best along this section of the parkway.

There is no shade atop the rock formation and swarms of small biting insects are seemingly everywhere on the summit. You've been warned. I hiked the trail in July 2017.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

Devils Courthouse from the parking area

View from the parking area

Trail parallels the parkway

Devils Courthouse Tunnel

The trail steepens away from the raod

Paved waterbars

No rest for the weary

Stay on the trail

Pavement ends

Gravel and rocks

Rock outcrop

Fenced section of trail

Keep climbing

Bench built into the fence

The path continues beyond the fenced section

Stone wall at the summit

Looking back at the trail

Sighting marker

Courthouse Valley

Toxaway Mountain (4777' 13 miles) on the horizon

Closer view of Toxaway Mountain

View towards Rabun Bald (4696' 33 miles)

Richland Balsam (6410' 7 miles)

Mount Hardy (6119' 2 miles)

Parking area

Snowbird Mountain (4201' 35 miles TN)

Little Sam Knob (5862') and Sam Knob (6045' 2 miles)

Blue Ridge Mountains

Entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway is free.

The parkway website is https://www.nps.gov/blri.