You’ll love the breathtaking views, reconstructed pioneer log buildings, a frontier museum with a blacksmith shop, 19th Century school, and hiking and fishing.
The best time to take this drive is mid-week as summer and fall weekends mean extremely heavy traffic. The Blue Ridge Parkway travels along the ridge of the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee offering breathtaking views along the way.
This drive encompasses the northern part of the Parkway from Rockfish Gap to Roanoke. Begin in Rockfish Gap at the intersection of U.S. 250 and Exit 99 on I-64. Heading south on the parkway, the road will begin to climb steeply, offering lovely views of the Shenandoah Valley on the right. The Appalachian Trail parallels the parkway with entry points along the road. In about 5 miles, you’ll come to the Humpback Rocks area–its several trail heads include one with renovated pioneer log buildings. Five miles beyond, you may opt to stop at Ravens Roost for more wonderful views of the Shenandoah Valley. Take a brief side trip to Sherando Lake–about 4 miles from the parkway on Virginia Highway 814 in the verdant George Washington National Forest–for a lakeside picnic.
Farther on, pull off at one of the many scenic overlooks to see the thriving Religious Mountains–the Cardinal, Friar, and Priest. Just past mile 53 on the Parkway, you’ll see the grassy 630-foot-long Bluff Mountain Tunnel, the only tunnel on the Virginia portion of the parkway. A short distance from the long tunnel is the Otter Creek Recreation Area, a popular spot with fishers and hikers. You can take a tour led by a naturalist, or shop in the gift shop, and eat in the restaurant.
You’ll know you have reached the George Washington National Forest when you cross the James River, a vital transportation link prior to the advent of the railroad. There are many overlooks providing great vistas of this winding waterway. Soon, the drive reaches its highest summit (3,950 feet) at the Apple Orchard turnout. At mile 83.1, park your car and follow the trail signs leading to the Falling Water Cascades Trail. At mile 99.6, you’ll find views of the Roanoke Valley and the Great Valley, a continuation of the Shenandoah Valley.
Fifteen miles down the road, take the Roanoke River Valley to Virginia’s Explore Park, a frontier museum with a 19th Century school, a blacksmith shop, and a farm. Roanoke itself has some great shops and restaurants as well as the Science Museum of Western Virginia with its many hands-on exhibits.
Starting Point:
Rockfish Gap, VA
Distance of Drive:
115 miles
Must Eat:
Roanoker
2522 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24015
Phone: 540-344-7746
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Summer to fall (mid-week)
Points of Interest on Drive:
Religious Mountains
Shenandoah Valley
Virginia’s Explore Park
Tagged with: Blue Ridge • Virginia
Filed under: Best Road Trips