Drive Virginia's Wilderness Road For A Perfect Day Exploring Natural Wonders, Small Towns, And Breweries
By Beth|Published August 22, 2020
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Today’s itinerary will take you to a special corner of the Shenandoah Valley, where you’ll find a winding road immersed in some beautiful scenery. Virginia’s Wilderness Road, also known as Route 11, is steeped in both beauty and history. Take the 50-mile stretch between the towns of Natural Bridge and Staunton and you’ll find enough stops along the way to impress just about everyone. Here’s more on how you can spend a perfect day exploring Virginia on the Wilderness Road.
Spend any amount of time in Virginia, and you'll soon come to realize that the backroads and lesser-traveled routes make for a more rewarding journey, even if they aren't the most convenient. That's certainly the case with Route 11: Virginia's Wilderness Road.
The Wilderness Road is among the most historic of Virginia's routes. Hundreds of years ago, it was used by migrating bison and Native American hunting groups. Later, it was named the Wilderness Road by those looking to head westward from larger cities on the East Coast.
Our scenic itinerary begins at Natural Bridge State Park. The recently-opened park surrounds its namesake, Virginia's most impressive naturally-formed stone arch.
If you're looking to extend your trip, you might consider spending the night at the Georges, which was recently ranked among the best hotels in the world.
On your way out of town, you'll want to spend some time at Devil's Backbone Brewery. This local outpost is known for its laid-back atmosphere and award-winning beer. Plus, just look at those nachos!
The final stop along this stretch of the Wilderness Road is the lovely town of Staunton. Similar to Lexington, this small Virginia town offers loads of activities and adventure. In fact, it was recently named as one of the South's best mountain towns.
Have you driven this portion of Route 11 recently? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience! For related content, be sure to read all about the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory — it’s a must-visit!
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