Blue Ridge Parkway

Just to the west of the historical suburbs and countryside of northern Virginia you come to the beginning of the mountainous region of this state (I-66 west or Route 50 west to I-81 south or the more leisurely Route 11 south). The ridge that lies along the western edge of Virginia and the eastern borders of West Virginia includes the Shenandoah, Appalachian, Blue Ridge, and Allegheny Mountains. Along the top of this mountain ridge runs the Blue Ridge Parkway, 569 miles of road winding amid spectacularly beautiful scenery unspoiled by any of the commercialism of most of our nation’s byways. These mountains are known for their spring-flowering dogwoods and rhododendrons, and in the fall the changing color of the deciduous trees is magnificent. Whether you drive the entire length of the parkway is unimportant—what is important is that you drive at least a portion of this road to appreciate the beauty of this state. In a time when most freeways are driven at 65 miles an hour or more, the Blue Ridge Parkway gives you an Blue Ridge Parkwayopportunity to slow the pace and to relish your surroundings.