Shenandoah Valley Rambles

Exploring the Shenandoah Valley by (largely) staying out of the rain

The plan: seek out and ride bike trails in the Shenandoah Valley in October on our way to the ALDHA Gathering.

The reality: with Hurricane Michael chasing us north from Florida, the weather wasn't cooperating.

While we literally stumbled across the Salem Bike Path when looking for the Roanoke Valley Greenways, soggy weather that next morning had us pivot our focus. Time to visit museums! We sought them out as we headed north through the Shenandoah Valley. A week later, we headed back south, and the weather was with us. Our plan to ride the Royal Shenandoah Greenway fell into place.

As we continued down the valley after a pleasant introduction to Front Royal, we continued searching for trails, all the way to Buchanan.

PLANNING RESOURCES: Virginia's Shenandoah Valley

Itinerary

Staunton to Woodstock

Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton
Staunton Valley Turnpike Museum, Harrisonburg
Edinburg Mill

DINING: Country Cookin, Staunton
Spring House Tavern, Woodstock

Winchester

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

Millwood

Historic Cemetery and Burwell-Morgan Mill

Front Royal

Front Royal Visitor Center Historic Walking Tour
Mountain Trails Hiker Basecamp
River & Peak Outfitter
Skyline Caverns
Royal Shenandoah Greenway
Shenandoah River State Park

DINING: Front Royal Brewing, Blue Wing Frog, Down Home Comfort Bakery
LODGING: Mountain Home B&B

Riding the Royal Shenandoah Greenway

While Front Royal, Virginia is known as an Appalachian Trail community, the AT isn’t the only trail in town. Here’s my ride along the new Royal Shenandoah Greenway, a 4.5-mile loop which opened earlier this year on Arbor Day.

Trails and TravelJohn Keatley

Luray to Lexington

Hawksbill Diner, Luray
Red Newt Bikes, Lexington

Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge State Park
The Caverns at Natural Bridge
Buchanan Swinging Bridge
DINING: Foot of the Mountain Cafe, Buchanan