For a small unincorporated community in northeastern Ashe County, Glendale Springs makes a real impression on the visitors who find it. Tucked just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this quiet mountain corner is best known as home to one of North Carolina’s most beloved religious art destinations — and beyond that, a peaceful base for exploring the Blue Ridge, the New River, and the surrounding High Country. Click on any of the attractions below to explore the spots we’ve personally visited around Glendale Springs.
What we love about Glendale Springs is just how unassuming it is. There are no crowds, no chain stores, no traffic — just a small white country church drawing visitors from across the country to see the stunning Holy Trinity Episcopal Church frescoes painted by Ben Long, surrounded by rolling Blue Ridge hills, working farmland, and miles of scenic mountain roads. Just down the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Jumpinoff Rock Overlook and Trail delivers one of the most stunning short hikes and panoramic views in this part of Ashe County — a perfect pairing for an afternoon in the area.
Whether you’re stopping in for the frescoes, hiking out to a Parkway overlook, or just slowing down to take in the quiet beauty of this corner of the High Country, Glendale Springs has a way of making you want to stay a little longer.
