Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 540-291-2188; off Mile 16)
In George Washington National Forest, you'll find two pretty
lakes (one for swimming, one for fishing), with hiking trails and campsites. To get there,
take Rte 664 W.
Peaks of Otter
HIKING
(Mile 86)
There are trails to the tops of these mountains: Sharp Top, Flat Top and Harken-
ing Hill. Shuttles run to the top of Sharp Top or you can try a fairly challenging hike (3
miles return) to the summit.
Sleeping
May-Oct)
, four in Virginia. Every year the staggered opening date of facilities changes,
but sites are generally accessible from April to November. Two NPS-approved indoor fa-
cilities are on the Pkwy in Virginia.
Rocky Knob Cabins
CABIN$
( 540-593-3503;
www.rockyknobcabins.com
;
266 Mabry Mill Rd; cabin without bath $75;
May-Oct; )
Rustic cabins set in a secluded stretch of forest. Bring food, as eating op-
tions are limited along the Pkwy.
Peaks of Otter
LODGE$$$
( 540-586-1081;
www.peaksofotter.com
; Mile 86, 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy; r from $130; )
A
pretty, split-rail-surrounded lodge on a small lake that's nestled between two of its name-
sake mountains. There's a restaurant, but no public phones and no cellphone reception.
Roanoke & Around
Illuminated by the giant star atop Mill Mountain, Roanoke is the largest city in the valley
and is the self-proclaimed 'Capital of the Blue Ridge.'
10am-5pm Tue-Sat, to 9pm Thu & 1st Fri of month; )
, opened in 2008, is set in a
sculptural steel-and-glass edifice that's reminiscent of the Guggenheim Bilbao (it's no
coincidence, as architect Randall Stout was a one-time associate of Frank Gehry). Inside,
you'll find a superb collection of artworks spanning 3500 years (it's particularly strong in
19th- and 20th-century American works).
