Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive is a National Scenic Byway that runs along the top ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It runs the entire length of Shenandoah National Park, about 105 miles. At the southern end of Skyline Drive is the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which continues along the Blue Ridge Mountains through North Carolina, all the way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We had driven on the Blue Ridge Parkway before, but it was the first time either of us had seen Shenandoah NP or Skyline Drive.
The road was nicely paved for a quiet ride, and wound gently through forests with many different types of trees. Every few miles, there was a pullout with a scenic overlook. Skyline Drive has 75 overlooks; I think we stopped at about a dozen of them. We also stopped at the two major lodges in the park, Skyland and Big Meadows. At Big Meadows, we took a short hike to the summit of Blackrock Mountain.
Regretfully, our views of the valley and the distant mountains were obscured by the white haze of air pollution. And it was too early in the year for the glorious fall colors that Skyline Drive is famous for. Still, it was a pretty and relaxing afternoon, and well worth taking the long way home.
