These Simply Accessible Highway Biking Journeys Convey Huge Views 

Spin Your Wheels

Few out of doors actions allow you to cowl as a lot terrain and soak up as many websites as street biking. However tackling the logistics of picture-perfect adventures may be difficult. Fortunate for us, the Blue Ridge area is chock stuffed with top-tier locations that pair unimaginable surroundings with quick access. 

From a jaunt alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway in one of many nation’s prime out of doors cities, to a loop by means of West Virginia state parks and wilderness areas, to cruising mountain peaks within the highlands of North Carolina, these biking routes supply ready-made journey with out the headache of extreme planning. 

HARPERS FERRY / SHEPHERDSTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

Perched excessive within the Blue Ridge Mountains alongside the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, these two cities are simply 12 miles aside and supply a few of the prettiest surroundings within the Jap U.S. Join them through a string of rural backroads and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Rail-to-Path for a stunningly stunning loop. 

The Journey: Harpers Ferry / Shepherdstown Loop, 34 Miles — Begin at Harpers Ferry Brewing and observe Journey Middle Lane onto U.S. 340 North. Cross Harpers Bridge, being positive to absorb grand views of the Potomac River, then flip proper onto Maintain Tryst Highway after a few mile. Comply with for 1.5 miles and take a proper onto the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Path entry, then one other proper onto the path. Enjoy 14.8 miles of riverside views, which embrace nineteenth century stone canal locks, railroad bridges, the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac, historic downtown Harper’s Ferry, and extra. Cling a proper at Lock 38 and observe Canal Highway to take a left on Shepherdstown Pike. Cross the river, then cling a left onto West German Highway in .8 miles, which quickly turns into River Highway. 

Comply with the latter by means of rural breathtaking West Virginia again nation for five.7 miles and take a left onto Knott Highway. Take one other fast left onto Bakerton Highway and proceed till it turns into Potomac Avenue, in about 5.3 miles. Comply with the latter alongside the Potomac into downtown Harpers Ferry, then flip proper onto Shenandoah Avenue. Move John Brown’s Fort and Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park, then flip left onto U.S. 340. Benefit from the views as you cross the Shenandoah River, then proceed for 1.8 miles again to Journey Middle Lane. 

DAVIS, WEST VIRGINIA

The tiny, 700-person city of Davis sits excessive within the Allegheny Mountains surrounded by 4,000-foot peaks, state parks, and nationwide forest lands. Revered by mountain climbing and mountain biking fans, this out of doors hub additionally gives implausible biking alternatives. Remoted high-elevation roads convey majestic views of Canaan Valley, Timberline Resort, and Blackwater Falls State Park.   

The Journey: Davis / Hendricks Loop, 44 miles — Begin in downtown Davis by Stumptown Ales and take 32 South for 3.8 miles, passing by means of Blackwater Falls State Park then turning left on Cortland Highway for a descent brimming with pastoral views of rural Canaan Valley. After 4 miles, flip proper onto Summer time Highway, then left again onto 32 by the Canaan Valley Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Customer’s Middle. Comply with 32 for 3.1 miles of panoramic mountain views, passing Canaan Valley Resort, then turning proper onto County Route 45/3 for a stunning descent by means of the Monongahela Nationwide Forest. Proceed for two.4 miles onto WV-72, which climbs above the Cheat River’s eponymous fork, following it for about 13 miles into the tiny village of Hendricks. There, proceed on 72 to County Route 219/4, climbing for 3.2 miles, then turning proper onto U.S. 219 North for a nine-mile climb into the city of Thomas. From there, observe U.S. 48 previous the delectable Mountain State Brewing Co., turning again onto WV-32 and into downtown Davis. 

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

Nestled between the Alleghenies and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke incorporates a bustling downtown space that’s simply seven miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Often known as certainly one of America’s most bike-friendly cities, it was tapped to host 2023’s youth and beginner street biking nationwide championships. For those who’re searching for pavement and views, Roanoke doesn’t disappoint. 

The Journey: Downtown to Blue Ridge Parkway Loop, 25 miles — Begin within the historic Grandin Village neighborhood on the Scratch Biscuit Firm and observe Memorial Avenue Southwest over the Roanoke River, turning proper onto Hannah Circle Southwest. Take a fast proper onto the Roanoke River Greenway and proceed onto the outer path round Vic Thomas Park. Cross the river once more and observe the greenway for about 5.3 miles by means of Wasena Park, Smith Park, River’s Edge Park, Piedmont Park, and Bennington Park. Cling a proper onto Bennington Avenue Southeast and backtrack to hold a left on Riverdale Highway Southeast. Proceed by means of a quiet neighborhood for about .5 miles earlier than turning proper onto nineteenth Avenue Southeast. Proceed for about 1.5 miles to Highland Highway, cross underneath the Blue Ridge Parkway, and switch left onto Rutrough Highway Southeast. Climb by means of dense forests for 1.5 miles to Discover Park, then observe the Roanoke River Parkway to show left on the Blue Ridge Parkway, being positive to catch Pine Mountain Overlook’s panoramic Roanoke Valley views. Get pleasure from pastoral Parkway surroundings for five miles then flip proper onto Mill Mountain Parkway for a steep climb and prolonged descent again into city. Proceed for 4.3 miles, take a left onto Hamilton Avenue, then a fast proper onto Piedmont Avenue Southeast, which you’ll use to re-access the Roanoke River Greenway. Cling a left and proceed for 3.2 miles to the Scratch Biscuit Firm. 

BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA

The 1,000-person city of Blowing Rock sits at an elevation of about 3,500 ft and has a downtown space positioned inside strolling distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This longtime out of doors vacation spot borders Pisgah Nationwide Forest’s 192,000-acre Grandfather District, and gives quick access to numerous overlooks — together with its 3,700-foot namesake vista. Handy facilities pair with Parkway rides and an abundance of scenic byways for beautiful pedaling experiences. 

The Journey: Blowing Rock / Parkway Tour, 21.3 miles — Begin downtown at Blowing Rock Brewing Firm. Flip left onto Sundown Drive, then left onto Most important Avenue, hanging a fast proper onto scenic Laurel Lane, which quickly turns into Wonderland Path. Climb by means of the nationwide forest-abutting neighborhood for 1.8 miles then flip left onto U.S. 221 South. Proceed for about .6 miles, then flip proper onto a view-rich, 6.5-mile stretch of Parkway. You’ll cross Trout Lake and Moses Cone Memorial Park, the place you may take a fast detour to historic Flat Prime Manor to catch 360-degree, 3,800-foot views from Thunder Hill Overlook. Exit the Parkway on Aho Highway, then flip proper onto Friendship Church Highway. Descend by means of bountiful mountain forests for about 2.8 miles, then flip proper on Bamboo Highway, which recrosses the Parkway to grow to be George Hayes Highway after 2 miles. Climb alongside boulders and creeks by means of rhododendron forests for two.1 miles, then flip left onto the Parkway. Cling a left onto Inexperienced Hill Highway after 2.6 miles, go .5 miles, then flip proper on Wonderland Drive. Proceed for 1 mile and switch proper onto East Cornish Highway, which rapidly turns into Sundown Drive. Comply with Sundown again into city to the brewery.    

Cowl picture courtesy of Go to Virginia’s Blue Ridge.