11 Wellness Road Trips to Reset Your Mind and Body

2. Blue Ridge Parkway: Mountain Mindfulness in the Appalachians

The Blue Ridge Parkway offers gentle elevation changes and frequent overlooks that invite short meditative pauses. Park at a viewpoint like Craggy Gardens and spend five to ten minutes practicing seated mindfulness—focus on breath and the sounds of the mountain. Midday, choose a short trail under a mile to get circulation going without exhausting yourself. Pack a cooler with easy protein sources and seasonal fruit from local farmers to support steady energy. Early fall and late spring are ideal for cooler, clearer weather and fewer bugs. If you tend to stiffen after long sitting, use a 10-minute mobility circuit at rest stops: hip hinges, cat–cow stretches, and calf raises are compact and effective. When sharing the road, respect slower vehicles and use pullouts to let others pass; this reduces stress for everyone and keeps your trip relaxed. Bring layers—mountain weather shifts quickly—and a small thermos for warm drinks. These choices keep the trip restorative while giving you access to classic Appalachian views and short, manageable hikes.