2023-06-22 11:01:49
America’s “Favorite Drive” stretches 755 kilometers through breathtaking natural landscapes along the Blue Ridge Mountains. A large part of the unique route runs through the US state of Virginia.
Densely forested ridges, waterfalls, rolling river valleys and historic sites line the Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What makes it so special is that the panorama road, which is popular with locals and visitors alike, was not designed as a “normal” road, but is used solely for tourist purposes. It is considered one of the most scenic drives on the east coast of the USA and is celebrating a very special anniversary on June 16, 2023. The idea for this was born exactly 90 years ago when the then US President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the recently completed Skyline Drive in Virginia in 1933, which was built for the same reasons.
Building history with pitfalls
However, it would take many decades from the initial idea to the completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is now 755 kilometers long. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 11, 1935, but the Second World War interrupted the construction work. In the post-war period, too, progress was initially sluggish. At the beginning of the 1950s, only half of the planned route was finished. A National Park Service development project sped up road construction before a legal battle in the 1960s delayed it again. The full length of the Blue Ridge Parkway was not opened until 1987.
755 kilometers, 26 tunnels, 151 bridges
Today, visitors can embark on a unique, 755-kilometer journey through the breathtaking landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are rewarded with spectacular impressions of Virginia’s natural beauty. 26 tunnels, 151 bridges and of course lots of unforgettable impressions await you along the way. With a maximum permitted speed of around 72 kilometers per hour (45 miles per hour), drivers can enjoy the panoramic road in a relaxed and stress-free manner.
Paradise for active Virginia vacationers
Numerous stops and vantage points on America’s “Favorite Drive” invite you to stop. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains or stretch their feet on a short or long hike. A must-see is a stop at the Peaks of Otter near the town of Bedford, Virginia. All three peaks of this trio of mountains have hiking trails and guarantee spectacular views of Lake Abbott. Beginners choose the four-mile loop to Harkening Hill, while the ascents of Flat Top Mountain and Sharp Top Mountain are more challenging. The Blue Ridge Parkway also crosses the famous Appalachian Trail at several points. If you have the time and inclination, you can tackle individual stages of this long-distance hiking trail from here.
Water sports enthusiasts also get their money’s worth and can kayak or canoe down the James River from the small town of Buchanan in Virginia or swim in Sherando Lake. This is located in a popular excursion area in the George Washington National Forest.
Historical sites and a spectacular limestone bridge
Traces of the past can also be found on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. At the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center, for example, a 19th-century farm provides a glimpse into the life of the pioneers of yesteryear. The Mabry Mill south of Roanoke seems almost like a fairy tale; a water powered mill built in 1903 and lovingly restored. Visitors can marvel at a historic sawmill, grain mill, and blacksmith shop. After visiting the restaurant, you can take home souvenirs of ground corn and buckwheat flour from the souvenir shop in the mill.
The Natural Bridge between Afton and Roanoke is spectacular. This 67-meter-tall natural limestone bridge was formed over the centuries by Cedar Creek, a tributary of the James River, which eroded the limestone. If you are looking for a change after so much peace and quiet in nature, the Blue Ridge Music Center is the place for you. Every Saturday from June through September, visitors can listen to traditional music in the amphitheater and learn about the roots of American music at an exhibit in the Visitor Center.
For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit www.virginia.org/places-to-visit/scenic-drives-and-byways/blue-ridge-parkway
Capital Region USA – Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. From the monumental monuments of Washington DC to the awe-inspiring mountains of Virginia to the scenic waterways of Maryland, the US Capital Region is the historic heart of the United States. The cityscape of the lively metropolis Washington DC is characterized by impressive monuments and remarkable museums, most of which can be visited free of charge. Virginia impresses with its historical sites from the time of the American Civil War, its unique nature in Shenandoah National Park and the long beaches in Virginia Beach. The state of Maryland also stretches along the Chesapeake Bay with its sailing capital Annapolis and Baltimore as a port of call for large cruise ships. A total of 13 holiday roads, so-called scenic drives, connect parts of the region and invite you to an eventful round trip with a rental car.
The current travel planner for the Capital Region USA can be ordered by email to [email protected] or by calling 00800 – 96 53 42 64 (toll-free).
company contact
Capital Region USA
Scott Ballyo
P.O. Box 13352
23225 Richmond, VA
540/450-7593
Press contact
Clausen Communication
Maria Greiner
In Schelmböhl 40
64665 Alsbach
06257 – 6 87 81
Image Credit: Nate Dennison
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