This southern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway passes through some of its most spectacular scenery. From the French Broad, it passes through 17 tunnels cut into the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. At mile 417, the smooth granite face of Looking Glass Rock, 1 210 metres high, takes your breath away. The route then curves west and climbs to its highest point: Richland Balsam viewpoint at 1 843 m.