BALSAM GROVE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Don’t let the name fool you. Devil’s Courthouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway boasts some truly angelic views, even if the hike up is hellish on the calves. Read more in our hiking guide below.

Fast facts

  • Devil’s Courthouse is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 422. Park in the spacious roadside lot, featuring views of the outlook in the distance.
  • Devil’s Courthouse is a challenging hike. The way up may be a scant half-mile, but the hike is exceptionally steep, with fewer rest benches than I’d like.
  • The outlook intersects with a tributary of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, making a longer trek possible for those seeking a lengthier adventure.
  • While walking off-trail is never encouraged, it is particularly prohibited at Devil’s Courthouse, which is home to nesting peregrine falcons and other rare flora and fauna. Stay on the marked route.
An elementary schooler’s signage reminding hikers of the peregrine falcons at Devil’s Courthouse.

Devilishly handsome views

After parking in the Devil’s Courthouse lot and snapping a photo of the terrace from below, walk down the path along the Blue Ridge Parkway toward the tunnel. The trail will take a right turn into the trees.

Devil’s Courthouse features approximately 300 feet of elevation gain from parking to summit.
Parking for Devil’s Courthouse is just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Keep on the trail to protect plants and animals.
Take a right into the woods and prepare for a steep ascent.
Devil’s Courthouse from the parking lot.

The hike up to the summit gets very steep, very fast. Most of the path is paved, so most shoes are acceptable for the ascent, but pace yourself. There are a smattering of rest benches on the way up, but pausing along the ridges in the tarmac is more than understandable.

The steep way up.
One of the few rest benches on the way to Devil’s Courthouse.
One of the few rest benches on the way to Devil’s Courthouse.
Fallen trees create interesting, twisted curios to admire on the ascent.

After a brutal .3 miles, the trail flattens out a great deal, switching from pavement to gravel and turning to the right. At this juncture, hikers will see the connector to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail to the left.

The rest of the route features beautiful rock slabs, which are uneven, but fun to navigate. A wooden fence and a couple of stone steps mark the final walk up to the summit.

Pavement transitions to gravel.
The connector trail to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
Be careful on the rocks!
The rock slabs turn to rock steps.
Up the steps!
The final steps before Devil’s Courthouse.

The views from Devil’s Courthouse are nothing short of breathtaking. There are few sights better along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mountains are visible from virtually every direction.

Views from Devil’s Courthouse.
Views from Devil’s Courthouse.
Views from Devil’s Courthouse.
Views from Devil’s Courthouse.
Views from Devil’s Courthouse.
Views from Devil’s Courthouse.

The actual summit is a little uneven, with several levels to gaze out from. Watch your step walking over it.

There are also bits of unusual flora to admire, like these berry-heavy branches covered with tufts of lichen.

Interesting plants on Devil’s Courthouse.

Another fun feature of the Devil’s Courthouse summit are several plaques identifying the location of several mountainous landmarks in relation to the summit. Can you spot the peaks on the plaques?

Devil’s Courthouse plaques.
Devil’s Courthouse plaques.
Devil’s Courthouse plaques.
Devil’s Courthouse plaques.

I have fond memories from when I was a kid of enjoying sun butter and honey tortillas at Devil’s Courthouse. After gobbling down your own, enjoy a much easier descent down to the parking lot.