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Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are one of the most beautiful and iconic parts of the American landscape.

The mountains are home to the Blue Ridge Parkway, known as America's Favorite Drive, and a portion of the Appalachian Trail, one of the most visited footpaths in the world.

Learn more about these unique aspects of the Blue Ridge Mountains.


Things to Do

When staying in the Roanoke Valley, your trip to Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains can include an exciting mix of things to do, first-class lodging, delicious cuisine, rich history, and charming Southern hospitality.

Imagine spending a day in the mountains driving along the Parkway, sampling wine from a local vineyard, hiking on a scenic trail, having a romantic dinner on a patio overlooking the valley, and listening to the symphony perform in a beautiful performance hall.

A few of the best hiking trails include:

Imagine yourself on the summit of Sharp Top Mountain at the Peaks of Otter or sitting on the iconic ledge of McAfee Knob on Catawba Mountain.

History

Native Americans lived at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains before colonists began settling in the area in the early 1700s. Over the past three centuries, the Roanoke Valley in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains has emerged as the economic and cultural hub of Western Virginia.

Learn More: History of the Blue Ridge Mountains >

Blue Ridge Mountain Flowers

The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to over 130 species of trees and 1,600 plant species that serve as a vital part of the local ecosystem. They also serve as part of the reason Virginia's Blue Ridge is known for its stunning natural beauty.

Learn More: Flowers in Virginia's Blue Ridge >

Fall Colors

The fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the most remarkable sites in the world. As the leaves change colors every autumn, the region attracts millions of visitors from around the world who take advantage of the opportunity to see the mountains transform with fall color.

Peak fall-foliage for the region typically occurs between mid-October through early-November.

Learn More: Fall Colors in Virginia's Blue Ridge >

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers the perfect opportunity to experience the wonder of this scenic landscape.

Constructed in 1935 as part of the New Deal to put Americans back to work after the Great Depression, the Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park while passing through 469 miles of mountainous terrain.

There are 47 National Heritage Areas along the Parkway as well as 369 miles of hiking trails and 382 paved scenic overlooks.

The mountains also provide the 5,700 feet of elevation range along this breathtaking route.

Learn More: Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway >

Getting to Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains

Map showing Roanoke's proximity to surrounding statesThe Roanoke Valley is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers striking views of the surrounding peaks and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway with eight different entry points.

In addition to the Parkway, Interstate 81, U.S. 460 and U.S. 220 all make their way through Virginia's Blue Ridge.

The region also offers a fantastic regional airport that provides easy accessibility to many of the things to do and see in Virginia's Blue Ridge.

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport provides direct flights to eight international airports through 25 daily flights to hubs with American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines and Allegiant Air. With one-stop service to 78 international cities and 415 domestic destinations, Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains are easy to reach from anywhere in the world.

You can also visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via passenger train on the Amtrak Northeast Regional line. The Amtrak platform is located in Downtown Roanoke and connects to the region to major metropolitan areas in the Northeast, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.

Learn More: Transportation to Virginia's Blue Ridge >

About Virginia's Blue Ridge 

Because of its location and elevation in the mountains, the Roanoke Valley in Virginia's Blue Ridge offers a mild climate that is comfortable year round. The average temperature is 55.8 degrees and visitors have the opportunity to enjoy all four seasons, including the unbelievably beautiful colors of our fall foliage.

With a population of over 300,000 people, Virginia's Blue Ridge is a vibrant destination with world-class amenities.

Learn More: About Virginia's Blue Ridge >

Come discover what it means to experience a metro mountain adventure!

Roanoke Valley Spotlight

Special offers, packages, and deals on places to stay in Virginia's Blue Ridge.


Get to know the iconic mountain in Virginia's Blue Ridge where you hike to McAfee Knob.