Scenic Routes Archives - Visit Patrick County

Rock Castle Gorge Overlooks

Grace Cooper — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 12:45:01 +0000

The Rock Castle Gorge Recreation Area offers beautiful views for hikers and drivers alike. There are plenty of pull-offs along the Blue Ridge Parkway for visitors to enjoy.

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Orchard Gap Loop

Grace Cooper — Wed, 22 May 2024 16:08:50 +0000

This is one of the shortest loops on the Jagged Edge. The Orchard Gap Loop takes riders through Ararat and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Orchard Gap Rd. offers amazing views and tight turns for riders to enjoy. As a bonus, this loop passes several orchards.

Starting in Ararat, take Willis Gap Rd. North to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn left and continue for 1.6 miles. Turn left onto Orchard Gap Rd. At the intersection, turn right onto Old Dominion Rd. Continue onto Orchard View Dr.

Map Directions

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The Forty Route

Grace Cooper — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 19:40:31 +0000

This loop begins at the Willville Bike Camp. It is an 80 mile route taking you to Fairystone Park, Ferrum, VA and back up twisty Hwy 40, finishing up on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.

Google Maps

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Indian Valley Loop

Grace Cooper — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 18:38:36 +0000

This loop begins at the Willville Bike Camp. It is an 86 mile loop through the scenic valley and along the river. Perfect for sport riders or leisurely tourers wanting to experience beautiful views and great mountain roads.

Google Maps

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The Gap Attack!

Grace Cooper — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 18:18:20 +0000

This loop begins and the Willville Bike Camp. The Gap Attack is a 70 mile loop on tight twisties up and down the mountains. Perfect for sport riders wanting to do a challenging spirited ride.

Google Maps

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The Country Sampler

Grace Cooper — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 17:45:16 +0000

This loop begins at the Willville Bike Camp. This short 43 mile ride highlights the different riding in the area from the flowing route down the mountain, the tight twisties back up, and the leisurely and scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.

Google Map

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Primland Loop

David Stanley — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:45:03 +0000

Located along the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this loop offers a scenic tour through Primland’s mountain slopes before sending you through the town of Stuart for a chance to refresh and refuel. Or stop over at Primland Resort for an unforgettable night of luxury.

Directions

Start on Mainstreet in Stuart. Drive down to the end of the street and cross the road onto Dobyns Road (Route 631). Turn off onto Little Dan River Road (Route 647, then 646). Follow to the end and get on Claudville Hwy (Route 103) briefly, then turn on Ararat Hwy (Route 173). Turn onto Squirrel Spur Road (Route 614) and follow until you arrive in Meadows of Dan, then take Route 58 all the way back into Stuart to arrive back on Mainstreet.

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Squirrel Spur

David Stanley — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:42:55 +0000

This 10 mile loop packs enough twists, turns and drops to top every motorcyclist’s bucket list. A casual drive will give you a glimpse into the rural countryside with cow pastures, tobacco fields and pumpkin patches. For most riders, the view will be a blur of color as you ride through a thrilling series of turns, switchbacks, steep climbs and sharp drops. Pull-off points including Angel Overlook give a break from the adventure.

Directions

Start in the village of Meadows of Dan (Blue Ridge Parkway MM 177.7). Take Squirrel Spur road all the way down the mountain to its end. Take Ararat Hwy (Route 173) to the community of Ararat (get a great country meal at Boyd’s Restaurant there) , then turn onto Friends Mission Road (Route 675) until you get to Willis Gap Mountain Rd (Route 771). Follow this road through some of the most beautiful orchards (and mountain views) you’ll ever see until you arrive at the Blue Ridge Parkway, MM 193.5 . Head North to connect back to Meadows of Dan.

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Bootlegger’s Run

David Stanley — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:41:11 +0000

Possibly the most famous stretch of the Jagged Edge, Bootlegger’s Run packs more than 100 curves into its 30-mile drive between the towns of Floyd and Ferrum, passing through Woolwine along the way. This run gets its name because it goes through the heart of one of Appalachia’s most notorious moonshine trails. If this unique piece of American history is not enough, the ride boasts some of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ most spectacular views.

Directions

Start in the Town of Floyd and head South of Route 8. Drive down to the base of the mountain and turn left onto Route 40. Follow through the old moonshining community of Charity, (leave Patrick, enter Franklin) follow through the college town of Ferrum, then finally end up in the town of Rocky Mount where you can end up at local modern day moonshine distillery Twin Creeks Distillery.

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