Skyline Drive runs the full length of the Shenandoah National Park, and is operated and overseen by the National Park Service. Skyline Drive is your access point to over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint; others penetrate deep into the forest and wilderness.
Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Skiing, Golf and More!
If you're a fan of outdoor activities, our area offers golf, biking, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, rafting and fishing. Enjoy nature by taking a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive. In the winter months, skiing, snowboarding and tubing are just minutes away at Wintergreen Resort. Here you will find information and directions for a wealth of things to do in Virginia's great outdoors.
Virginia Hiking Trails Nearby
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.
(304) 535-6278
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road, running for 469 miles through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, mostly along the Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. The Parkway was built to connect Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The parkway, while not a National Park, has been the most visited unit of the National Park System every year since 1946. Land on either side of the road is owned and maintained by the National Park Service
(828) 348-3400
Opened in November of 2020, the 2.25-miles-long Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail passes through a 4,700-foot tunnel bored through the Blue Ridge Mountains between Afton and Waynesboro. As the tunnel isn’t lit, visitors should bring a headlamp or flashlight to enjoy the experience (we have headlamps available for guest use). The eastern trailhead is located at 215 Afton Depot Lane in Afton. While it is located closer to the tunnel, there are currently only about a dozen parking spaces available. The western trailhead is located along Rte. 250 at the eastern edge of Waynesboro. It offers about 40 parking spaces but requires a longer and steeper walk to the tunnel entrance. The trail within the tunnel is an easy walk for all skill levels.
When completed in 1858 after nearly nine years of construction, it became the longest tunnel in the United States.It has since been named a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The chief engineer of the construction was Claudius Crozet after whom the nearby town of Crozet was named. Prior to this trail’s completion, the tunnel had been unused since 1944, when it was replaced by a parallel tunnel that could handle increased wartime rail traffic.
(434) 263-7015
Biking in Nelson County
This rural region offers miles and miles of tranquil country roads winding past meadows and streams. With gentle, rolling hills near the James River and challenging terrain in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Nelson County has something for all skill levels.
(434) 361-9357
The Nelson Scenic Loop is a 50 mile auto and bike tour that features Nelson County’s bounty of natural, cultural and historic attractions. Comprising Route 151, Route 664, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Route 56, the Nelson Scenic Loop traverses both the lower foothills of the Piedmont as well as the summits of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
(434) 361-0271
Charlottesville VA Area Golf Courses
Set on 500 acres at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Birdwood reigns as one of the region's finest golf courses. Birdwood is owned by the University of Virginia, is located on the grounds of Boars Head Inn and serves as the home of the University of Virginia's men and women's golf teams.
(434) 293-4653
The 18-hole mountain course at Wintergreen Resort, Devils Knob is the highest golf course in Virginia, situated at an elevation of about 3,800 feet. The stunning Blue Ridge Mountain Views may be a distraction from the narrow fairways and speedy greens and unsurpassed vistas. Since the temperatures at Devils Knob tend to be 10-15 degrees cooler than in the valley, it’s a great option all throughout the summer.
(434) 325-8250
Old Trail Golf Club is located in Crozet and features an 18 hole championship golf course, practice facilities and full service Clubhouse. Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and just a few miles west of Charlottesville, Old Trail Golf Club is the centerpiece of the spectacular Old Trail community.
(434) 823-8101
Swannanoa Golf Course and Country Club is situated in an idyllic saddle atop Afton Mountain. Everywhere you look there are sweeping vistas. On one side is the majestic Shenandoah Valley and on the other spreads the Piedmont. With a long history of being the scenic destination of golf aficionados this course has been around a long time. President Calvin Coolidge played here and those who know and want an exciting golf game with views still flock to play here.
(540) 943-8864
Skiing in the Blue Ridge Mountains & Shenandoah Valley
Massanutten Resort is located in the Shenandoah Valley near Harrisonburg and provides visitors spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding valley. Massanutten is one of the Mid-Atlantic regions best ski resorts, featuring wide groomed trails, a dedicated learner’s area, night skiing and terrain parks.
(540) 289-9441
Located on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains right here in Nelson County, Wintergreen Resort is a premier facility for all types of winter sports, including snow skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Wintergreen is home to one of the world’s most sophisticated snowmaking systems, with 40,000 linear feet of pipeline, and more than 400 snow guns and 45 weather stations.
(434) 325-2200
Horseback Riding
What better way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge than riding a beautiful horse and meandering along a nature trail. Rebel's Run at Afton Mountain, owned and operated by Mimi Paixio, offers three different trail rides, including one that leads you right to spectacular Afton Mountain Vineyards. The trail ride to the vineyard is about 45 minutes long. While there, feel free to enjoy a wine tasting for an hour or so. Afton Mountain's tasting room is set on a beautiful lake at the base of the mountain with a gorgeous 360-degree view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If wine's not your thing, you can choose the "Summit" or "Valley" trail ride.
(703) 623-5243
Why not experience the beauty and serenity of Nelson or nearby Albemarle County on horseback? Indian Summer offers 5-star private, guided horseback rides through vineyards and orchards throughout the Charlottesville area. Among the wineries you can visit on an Indian Summer trail ride are King Family Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards and Veritas Vineyard and Winery. They are also happy to put together a custom trail ride for you so that you can experience a uniquely tailored trail experience.
(434) 531-9679
