Virginia’s Scenic Roads—amazing adventures on the roads less traveled
- Flowers in full bloom. Forests as far as the eye can see. And fresh, cool mountain breezes. To truly turn on your senses, just turn off the beaten path. Virginia has more than 2,700 miles of byways, parkways and other scenic roads that are filled with natural beauty and historical significance.
To start exploring the commonwealth from a unique, revealing and refreshing perspective, order a free scenic roadways map at www.vdot.virginia.gov/travel/maporder.asp.
Here’s a taste of what you’ll experience on each region’s scenic roads:
- NORTHWESTERN
When you’re ready to leave city life behind for a while, go west. Take off from Lexington along Route 39 and you’ll start soaking up some of the most undisturbed natural beauty around. Steep mountains, deep gorges, rushing rapids and miles of forest wait to be discovered. Be sure to meander down the breathtakingly beautiful Skyline Drive and don’t miss the Natural Bridge—at 215 feet tall, it’s one of the seven wonders of the natural world!
- NORTHERN
When you travel along Route 15, don’t be in a hurry. That’s not the way it works here. The tiny, historic town of Leesburg—a far cry from the hustle and bustle of modern city life—is about as fast-paced as it gets. After that, you’ll find restored landmarks, quaint villages and peaceful wineries. Even the landscape here seems to take its time (there are slow, rolling hills all the way).
- SOUTHWESTERN
Drive south to get the best seats in the house. (Or the highest ones at least.) Climb to the top of Virginia’s tallest peak off Route 16. Get a view of five states from Route 52. Peer down onto rippling waters below you from four of the oldest covered bridges in Virginia. And just north of the Appalachian Trail, you’ll find a place so gorgeous, they call it “God’s Thumbprint.” You can’t get much higher than that.
- CENTRAL
Head east along Route 5 and you’ll be taking a trip back in time. From the modern city of Richmond to the colonial capital of Williamsburg, you’ll discover political, architectural and social history around every bend. So hold onto your hat on the way out, and your powdered wig on the way back.
- HAMPTON ROADS
For some scenery that’s as fun to play in as it is to look at, make a break for the coast. Whether you visit the James River, Chesapeake Bay or Virginia Beach, you’ll find that everybody takes to the water here—fishermen, crabbers, surfers, swimmers and the military. Even horses get into the act at Chincoteague’s annual Wild Pony Swim every July.
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