| Mile
0 |
Rockfish
Gap near Waynesboro Virginia,
is the northern end of the Blue
Ridge Parkway. To the north,
the Blue Ridge Parkway connects
directly to Skyline Drive, which
winds 105 miles through Shenandoah
National Park. U.S. 250 and
I-64 take you to Charlottesville
to the east and Staunton to
the west. |
|
Mile
5 to 9.3
|
Humpback
Rocks has a self-guiding trail
through a collection of old
Appalachian farm buildings.
A hiking trail from the parking
area (at mile 6.1) leads 0.75
mile to The Rocks, whose humped
appearance gives the area its
name. Greenstone self-guiding
trail (8.8). |
| Mile
10.7 |
Ravens
Roost offers vistas of Torry
Mountain and Shenandoah Valley
to the west. |
| Mile
16 |
Sherando
Lake is a recreation area in
George Washington National Forest
4.5 miles from the parkway via
VA.814. Swimming, picnicking,
and camping. Fees charged. |
| Mile
29 |
Whetstone
Ridge provided many a mountain
man with a fine-grained sharpening
stone |
| Mile
34.4 |
Yankee
Horse Ridge supposedly is where
a hard-riding Union soldier's
horse fell and had to be shot.
See a reconstructed spur of
an old logging railroad by walking
to Wigwam Falls. |
| Mile
58 to 63.6 |
Otter
Creek runs 10 miles down the
Blue Ridge to the James River.
Otter Lake (63.1), fishing,
trail. |
| Mile
63.8 |
James
River and the Kanawha Canal
is where a footbridge leads
across the river to the restored
canal locks and exhibits. A
self-guiding trail follows the
river bluff. |
| Mile
71 |
Onion
Mountain's short loop trail
leads through rhododendron and
mountain laurel. |
| Mile
83.4 |
Fallingwater
Cascades can be seen along a
1.6 mile loop trail. |
| Mile
84 to 87 |
Peaks
of Otter's spectacular views
have been popular since the
days of Thomas Jefferson. A
shuttle bus provides service
to Sharp Top. Fee Charged. |
| Mile
114.9 |
Roanoke
River Gorge opens before you
from the overlook, after a 10-minute
walk. |
| Mile
115.1 |
Virginia's
Explore Park celebrates the
state's role in Westward Expansion.
Historic buildings, exhibits,
and demonstrations. Fee charged. |
| Mile
120.4 |
Roanoke
Mountain is a 3.7-mile side
trip. The one-way loop road
takes you over the mountain
for impressive views. Steep
grades; towed vehicles prohibited. |
| Mile
129.6 |
Roanoke
Valley Overlook gives a view
of the largest community along
the parkway. Reach the city
via U.S. 220 (at milepost 121),
VA-24 (at 112), and U.S. 460
(at 105). |
| Mile
154.5 |
Smart
View is just that; go to the
Trail Cabin built in the 1890's
and you'll see "a right
smart view," especially
in early May when the dogwoods
bloom. |
| Mile
167 to 174 |
Rocky
Knob rises like a cresting wave
to overlook Rock Castle Gorge. |
| Mile
176.1 |
Mabry
Mill was operated by E.B. Mabry
from 1910 to 1935. A trail leads
you to his gristmill, sawmill,
blacksmith shop, and to other
exhibits. Old-time skills are
demonstrated in the summer and
fall. |
| Mile
188.8 |
Groundhog
Mountain is a good place to
see different kinds of rural
fences: snake, Post-and-rail,
picket and buck. Picnic grounds
and observation tower. |
