Allegheny & Blue Ridge

 

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You don't have to drive far from Washington, D.C. to get away from it all.  The mountains of Virginia and West Virginia offer some great byways and parkways, along with countless recreation opportunities.  This trip travels south through West Virginia, then returns via the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park.  It took me 9 days, but you could easily chop out a section and do the rest in a long weekend.


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Use the links below to jump to the part of the trip that interests you.

 

Day 1 Begins Here

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia - Historic Railroad and Civil War Town

Martinsburg, Berkeley Springs, and West Virginia Route 9 through the Panhandle

Paw Paw Tunnel, along the C&O Canal Towpath, Maryland

Casselman River Bridge, US 40, The Old National Road, Maryland
 

Day 2 Begins Here

Pittsburgh Viewpoints: See the City from Mt. Washington, West End

Exploring Downtown Fairmont, West Virginia
 

Day 3 Begins Here

Valley Falls State Park, West Virginia, near Fairmont, Grafton

Grafton, West Virginia - Birthplace of Mother's Day, Shrine, Downtown

Tunnelton, West Virginia

Terra Alta, West Virginia

Swallow Falls State Park, Maryland: Muddy Creek Falls, Youghiogheny River

Oakland, Maryland

Birthplace of Abraham Lincoln's Mother, Nancy Hanks, West Virginia Panhandle

Burlington, West Virginia

Romney, West Virginia, and Route 55 - Corridor H
 

Day 4 Begins Here

The Via Ferrata Climb Up Nelson Rocks, Judy Gap WV

Spruce Knob - West Virginia's Highest Point

West Virginia's Scenic Seneca Rocks

Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis and Thomas West Virginia
 

Day 5 Begins Here

National Rado Astronomy Observatory: Tour, Huge Dish Antenna

Cass Scenic Railroad, and the town of Cass, West Virginia

Sharp's Country Store in Slatyfork, West Virginia

Highlands Scenic Highway, and Cranberry Glades Scenic Area

Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area, West Virginia

Pearl S. Buck Birthplace, Hillsboro, West Virginia

Historic Lewisburg, West Virginia - Downtown, Old Buildings, Shopping

Herns Mill Covered Bridge, near Lewisburg, West Virginia

Alderson, West Virginia

Talcott, West Virginia - Home of the John Henry Legend: Great Bend Tunnel

Tour of Beckley, West Virginia: King Tut Drive-In
 

Day 6 Begins Here

Tour of Beckley, West Virginia: Exhibition Coal Mine and Coal Camp Recreation

Tour of Beckley, West Virginia: Exploring Downtown

Tour of Beckley, West Virginia: Grandview Park, Overlooking New River Gorge

Sandstone and Hinton, West Virginia: Bluestone Dam, Summers County Courthouse

Mount Airy, North Carolina, Better Known As Mayberry
 

Day 7 Begins Here

Blue Ridge Parkway: Puckett Cabin, Groundhog Hill, Round Meadow Trail

Mabry Mill, along the Blue Ridge Parkway: Water Wheel, Grist Mill, Appalachian Exhibits

Blue Ridge Parkway, Between Mabry Mill and Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke Mountain - The Big Star - on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway: Roanoke River Trail and Viewpoints

Blue Ridge Parkway: Fallingwater Cascades, Apple Orchard and Terrapin Mountains

Blue Ridge Parkway: North End to James River, Wigwam Falls
 

Day 8 Begins Here

Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, South End, Headed North

Shenandoah National Park - Blackrock Summit Trail

South River Falls Trail, in Shenandoah National Park

Bearfence Mountain Trail, in Shenandoah National Park

Dark Hollow Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park

North end of Skyline Drive
 

Day 9 Begins Here

A Quick Visit to Washington, D.C.

 

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