When the leaves start falling, there’s no better way to embrace the season than an old fashioned drive. Recently, I’ve written about a scenic fall road trip and even a train ride that boasts some of the best colors in the state. But you may be surprised by the transformation that’s taking place in your own backyard. Here are some country roads just waiting to be driven.
- Green Cove Road (Damascus)
Fred Hsu/flickr With its proximity to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Green Cove Road winds along unforgettable foliage. If you have time, be sure to stop by the Green Cove Station Visitor’s Center.
- Blue Ridge Parkway (near Afton)
Mark Goebel/flickr
ehpien/flickr Beautiful all year round, this National Parkway is exquisite in the fall. As you meander through the Blue Ridge landscape, your eyes will be drawn to the brilliant cast of golds, yellows, and reds that line the pavement.
- Route 11 (Middletown)
Josh/flickr Route 11 is the scenic alternative to I-81 that traverses most of the western portion of the state. You can’t go wrong taking any stretch of this 339-mile drive, although the leaves happen to be particularly beautiful near Middletown (as photographed above).
- Main Street (Lexington)
LEWIS CRESSELL/flickr
LEWIS CRESSELL/flickr Main Street of Lexington, Virginia isn’t necessarily a country road, but you’ll be amazed with the way the yellows and oranges transform the red-bricks of the nearby Washington and Lee campus. Plus, there are plenty of back roads surrounding Lexington and Rockbridge County that make for a breathtaking escape.
- Virginia Creeper Trail
Curt Fleenor/flickr This one’s a bit of a stretch, because you can’t drive it in the traditional sense. But if you’re looking for an incredible brisk fall walk or bike ride, you won’t want to miss the Virginia Creeper Trail this season.
- Skyline Drive
CJ Oliver/flickr
Stephen Little/flickr A neighboring route to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive runs along Shenandoah National Park for just over 100 miles. Spanning along the landscape of the Blue Ridge, this drive offers an equally scenic escape into mountain bliss.
- Old C&W Railway Road (Augusta)
Mark Plummer/flickr The Old C&W Railway Road is an unbelievably beautiful route through Augusta County, near Mount Solon. It’s a fascinating area to visit and learn about the railway history, but it’s also a splendid drive for the trees alone.
- Route 738
William F. Yurasko/flickr
William F. Yurasko/flickr State Route 738 runs for approximately 40 miles along the stretch of land between Richmond and Fredericksburg. It’s a lovely way to head north, and you’ll trade the traffic and cars along I-95 for the pristine trees of this country road.
- Highway 8 (near Woolwine)
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr This primary state highway runs just over 50 miles, from Route 11 all the way to the North Carolina state border. This moderately-busy route offers incredible mountain views as it winds through southern Virginia.
- Highway 220 (near Falling Springs)
Virginia State Parks/flickr Route 220 is an impressive 680-mile drive, although can easily be experienced in a shorter, scenic drive. The stretch near Falling Springs, as photographed above, provides the perfect access route to a spectacular waterfall.
- Pocahontas State Park (Chesterfield)
Virginia State Parks/flickr The State Park Road that leads to Pocahontas State Park is nearly as scenic and beautiful as the park itself. Not far from Richmond, this drive is a perfect one for anyone looking to enjoy an outdoor picnic and scenic walk along the way.
Have you driven any of these scenic roads during the fall season? Please share your experience with us!
Fred Hsu/flickr
With its proximity to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Green Cove Road winds along unforgettable foliage. If you have time, be sure to stop by the Green Cove Station Visitor’s Center.
Mark Goebel/flickr
ehpien/flickr
Beautiful all year round, this National Parkway is exquisite in the fall. As you meander through the Blue Ridge landscape, your eyes will be drawn to the brilliant cast of golds, yellows, and reds that line the pavement.
Josh/flickr
Route 11 is the scenic alternative to I-81 that traverses most of the western portion of the state. You can’t go wrong taking any stretch of this 339-mile drive, although the leaves happen to be particularly beautiful near Middletown (as photographed above).
LEWIS CRESSELL/flickr
Main Street of Lexington, Virginia isn’t necessarily a country road, but you’ll be amazed with the way the yellows and oranges transform the red-bricks of the nearby Washington and Lee campus. Plus, there are plenty of back roads surrounding Lexington and Rockbridge County that make for a breathtaking escape.
Curt Fleenor/flickr
This one’s a bit of a stretch, because you can’t drive it in the traditional sense. But if you’re looking for an incredible brisk fall walk or bike ride, you won’t want to miss the Virginia Creeper Trail this season.
CJ Oliver/flickr
Stephen Little/flickr
A neighboring route to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive runs along Shenandoah National Park for just over 100 miles. Spanning along the landscape of the Blue Ridge, this drive offers an equally scenic escape into mountain bliss.
Mark Plummer/flickr
The Old C&W Railway Road is an unbelievably beautiful route through Augusta County, near Mount Solon. It’s a fascinating area to visit and learn about the railway history, but it’s also a splendid drive for the trees alone.
William F. Yurasko/flickr
State Route 738 runs for approximately 40 miles along the stretch of land between Richmond and Fredericksburg. It’s a lovely way to head north, and you’ll trade the traffic and cars along I-95 for the pristine trees of this country road.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
This primary state highway runs just over 50 miles, from Route 11 all the way to the North Carolina state border. This moderately-busy route offers incredible mountain views as it winds through southern Virginia.
Virginia State Parks/flickr
Route 220 is an impressive 680-mile drive, although can easily be experienced in a shorter, scenic drive. The stretch near Falling Springs, as photographed above, provides the perfect access route to a spectacular waterfall.
The State Park Road that leads to Pocahontas State Park is nearly as scenic and beautiful as the park itself. Not far from Richmond, this drive is a perfect one for anyone looking to enjoy an outdoor picnic and scenic walk along the way.
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