Where the Devil Holds Court
A view of Devils Courthouse from the Blue Ridge Parkway. A trail leads about half a mile to the summit, where the views are excellent.
Somewhere within the mountain there is a cave. According to local legend, the Devil holds court there. In Cherokee legend, a giant named Judaculla uses the cave as a residence and a private dancing chamber.
Off-trail travel is prohibited here to protect rare and delicate high-altitude plants, so no, you can't climb the face here, not legally.
Blue Ridge Parkway, NC-- April 2010