Scenic drive along Blue Ridge Mountains with hiking trails






















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"Just about an hour and fifteen minutes from D.C., this Blue Ridge refuge packs more than 500 miles of hiking trails and options for fishing, horseback riding, camping, and bird-watching." - Caitlin Morton
"Often overlooked in favor of larger western parks, this eastern refuge offers breathtaking scenery, a tranquil atmosphere, and views among some of the oldest mountains in the world." - Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, where she edits the Discoveries section of the print magazine and develops longer stories focusing on food, wine, and spirits. She has previously worked at Food & Wine and in the writing program at NYU Abu Dhabi. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Day-use tickets are necessary to hike Old Rag Mountain between March 1 and Nov. 30, so hikers need to obtain tickets ahead of time for that popular route." - Katie Nadworny Katie Nadworny Katie Nadworny is an Istanbul-based writer who specializes in stories at the intersection of culture and politics in Turkey, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. She has lived in Turkey for nearly a decade and has traveled extensively around the region. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A nearby national park accessible via a roughly 25-minute drive to Rockfish Gap, offering extensive outdoor recreation and scenic drives. Visitors often traverse the park’s 105-mile Skyline Drive to enjoy overlooks, trailheads and especially dramatic fall foliage views." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Traveling the 105-mile Skyline Drive along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains puts you within reach of some of the prettiest eastern peaks and offers 75 overlooks for sprawling views of the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont; it is the park's only public road (portions may close in bad weather), and many trails remain open for winter snowshoeing and skiing — drive the 35-mph limit and watch for active wildlife like foxes and bobcats." - Skye Sherman Skye Sherman Skye Sherman is a travel writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Aside from traveling, she's also a pilot, scuba diver, bookworm, and fourth-generation Floridian. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Palm Beach Illustrated, Atlas Obscura, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines