The Historic Orchard at Altapass
As you take a drive along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville and Banner Elk, NC, one of the best places to visit is the Historic Orchard at Altapass. With fun events, live music, hayrides through the apple grove and more, this location is a wonderful place to stop and enjoy the beauty of the NC High Country.
Check out this great information on the Orchard at Atlapass from www.altapassorchard.org.
“The geography of the Orchard is well suited for apple growing… There are over 40 apple varieties at the Orchard. The earliest to ripen, in June, is the Yellow Transparent. It has a pale yellow skin and its sour taste and relatively short shelf life make it ideal for apple sauce. The red York Imperial apple, also referred to as the “Lop-eared Johnson,” got its nickname from its crooked appearance. The Virginia Beauty is a local favorite with its deep red color and yellow “bonnet” at the top. Other apples include the Grimes Golden, Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious, Stayman-Winesap, King Luscious, and Red Delicious. Most of these varieties are available from mid-September to late October.”