The Orchard at Altapass is Commended in International Awards for Sustainable Tourism

The Orchard at Altapass is Commended in International Awards for Sustainable Tourism

The Orchard at Altapass on the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of two projects chosen from the US to take part in this year’s British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

The awards recognize sustainable tourism initiatives worldwide. Projects are judged on how they benefit and involve the local community and protect the cultural and natural environment.

The Orchard at Altapass on the Blue Ridge Parkway is being recognized for protecting the physical beauty and culture of a special place threatened by development. The Orchard stretches for two miles along both sides of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a United States National Park only 200 feet wide at Altapass. Targeted by developers, this scenic location has views stretching to the highest peaks in eastern North America. This land is now protected from development forever.

Recorded history at the site begins with an east-west path across the Appalachian Mountains. In 1780 the Overmountain Men traveled this trail to Kings Mountain where they changed the course of the Revolutionary War. The first settler, with four wives at once and 48 children, lived, died and is buried on the Orchard. The famous Clinchfield Loops, built at great human price, tunnel through the Blue Ridge there. Such historical happenings are remembered many times each week by special events, song and especially, by story telling hayrides.

The Orchard celebrates local culture. Seniors enjoy the community collected there; grandparents and grandchildren ride the hay wagon and enjoy the stories. Families walk the gardens and trails, and pick apples, a first for some of the children. Vacationers mix with lifelong residents and recent Blue Ridge retirees, one of the few places where all are equally at home. Every weekend the music is free for all comers and the dancing is spirited.

Come to Milepost 328.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see for yourself why the Orchard has won this Award. Or contact the Orchard at 1-888-765-9531, www.altapassorchard.com, or mailto:bcarson@mitchell.main.nc.us