(CNN) — A 26-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway has reopened in western North Carolina - just in time for the busy fall season - marking a major milestone in the state’s recovery nearly one year after Hurricane Helene devastated much of the region.

The 469-mile scenic roadway managed by the National Park Service winds through North Carolina and Virginia. The famed route experienced extensive blowdowns, erosion, andlandslides, resulting inmuch of the roadway being impassable after Helene struck in September 2024.

More than 16.7 million people visited the parkway, making it the second-most visited NPS site in 2024, according to data from the agency .

This section of the southern Appalachian Mountains attracts numerous tourists from across the US who want to experience breathtaking

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