Travel
Traveling in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia can be a vacation in and of itself. In fact, before I moved to Virginia almost 18 years ago I took a weeks vacation thinking I was going to move to Vermont. I hit Interstate 81 from Tennessee and traveled north through Virginia. I was caught up in the views from the highway that I decided to slow down and take a few back roads to enjoy and savor it longer. I ended up spending the entire week traveling through Virginia. I met folks from all walks of life, camped out in my car along the Blue Ridge Parkway, got lost, and ultimitaley found the place that I would one day call home. I made it to Vermont a couple of years later and was relieved to have made the right decision not to move there. Although it was as beautiful as I imagined, Virginia, and especially the Blue Ridge Highlands, were calling my name.
Driving Tours
The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail winds through the mountains and valleys of Southwest Virginia, a major wellspring of American roots music and one of Virginia’s best regions for fall foliage. Country music traces its beginnings here and the area is still a hotbed of bluegrass and Old Time music. Live music venues, museums and cultural centers lie along the trail. Some of bluegrass music’s top acts perform at the Carter Family Fold, the Floyd Country Store and the Rex Theater in Galax and impromptu jam sessions pop up in barber shops and ice cream stands in small communities throughout the region.
Scenic and Historic
Mt.Rogers Scenic Byway | Smyth
Enjoy a variety of scenic curves and interesting changes in the terrain as you follow either of the two sections of this byway. The first section begins at Troutdale, VA. You will drive west for 13.2 miles over Virginia Route 603 to Konnarock. VA. You will traverse the heart of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Highway 603 is a two-lane paved road. The second section of the byway leads you 32.5 miles east from Damascus, VA to Volney, VA. The byway follows US Route 58, which is the easiest access to the "High Country" of the NRA. US 58 is a two-lane, paved scenic road.
website | (276) 783-5196
Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway | Wythe
Passing through national forest and private land, this 16-mile stretch showcases mountain vistas, historic farm homesteads and tree-lined forest vistas. At the top, a 100-foot tower at Big Walker Lookout affords a spectacular view of the mountains and valleys. The business has a craft/gift shop on premises. In this historic mountain pass, Molly Tynes made her famous midnight ride to warn Wytheville of Toland's raiders riding from Tazewell to destroy the railroad during the Civil War. Virginia Birding trail. Fishing, hiking, biking, camping along the route. The starting point for Monster Rock hiking trail, a 15-20 minute walk to a rock bluff overlook that offers a breathtaking panarama of the north valley. It is also the entrance to the Big Bend Picnic Area just 4 miles on up the mountain. Virginia City Gem Mine is on south side of byway.
website | (276) 228-5551
Blue Ridge Parkway | Patrick, Floyd, and Carroll
Drive Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway - “America’s Favorite Scenic Drive”. The Parkway in 2005 has been designated an All-American Road, the highest honor bestowed by the Federal Highway Administration to recognize roadways that possess surpassing scenic, historic, recreational and other intrinsic qualities that make them "one of a kind".
Extending 469 miles along the crests of the Southern Appalachians the Parkway’s spectacular natural beauty, wildlife and foliage is highlighted by picnic facilities, camping, hiking trails, waterfalls and sweeping overlooks. It meanders in and out of Patrick County for a 30 mile stretch. The Parkway runs from Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in western North Carolina.
website | (828) 298-0398
Catawba Road, A Virginia Byway | Montgomery County
A portion of the Catawba Road is designated a scenic byway. This road passes through pastoral landscapes, including historic buildings, mills, a tanyard, a brick kiln, 19th century churches and an early 20th century school. The Catawba Road is also part of the TransAmerica Bikeway.
(540) 639-2202
ATVs and Motorcyle Trails
Virginia Highlands Horse Trail | Smyth and Grayson
Located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail is a 68-mile trail between Elk Garden and VA Rt. 94. It features mountainous terrain, valley views and valley crossings. The trail includes parking and primitive camping for those who trailer horses.
website | (276) 783-5196
