Visit Nelson County

Bicycle Tours

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. For general information about cycling in Nelson County, call Martin Versluys at 434-361-9357

Blue Ridge Parkway Loops
Enjoy views from any of several scenic overlooks along the parkway. The 22-mile ride begins at Royal Oaks Cabins in Love (Milepost 16) and goes south to Tye River Gap and back. For the 40-mile ride described in the
cue sheet below, begin at the same point, but head north to Milepost 0 at Afton Mountain. At this point, take the optional loop through the small hamlet of Afton, home of the legendary Cookie Lady, a weary cyclist’s best friend.

0.0 – R Route 814
0.2 – L Blue Ridge Parkway (scenic overlooks into Shenandoah and Rockfish Valleys)
16.2 – L on exit to reach Route 250 East
16.3 – R Route 250 East (Rockfish Gap Tourist Information, long downhill, country store)
19.1 – R Route 750 (Bike Centennial’s Route 76)
20.9 – R Route 6 in Afton (home of the legendary Cookie Lady on your right, just across railroad bridge) Head back up Route 6
22.3 – L Route 250 (watch traffic)
23.5 – R on ramp to Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park
23.6 – L on Blue Ridge Parkway
39.6 – R Route 814
39.8 – Return to  Royal Oaks

For Mountain Bikes:
0.0 – From milepost 16 Blue Ridge Parkway – cross the Parkway onto Route 814
Right onto Route 56 to North Fork – follow it back to the Parkway
Right onto the Parkway back to milepost 16

Oak Ridge Loop
29 miles – begins and ends at Oak Ridge Estate in parking area where Route 650 becomes Route 653

Exit parking area on Route 650 (sharp curve). Turn left
1.5 – R Route 56 The Corner Market, watch traffic!
2.2 – L Route 639
9.5 – L Route 617
19.0 – L Route 623
19.5 – L Route 766 – becomes Route 624
19.6 – L Route 29  Watch traffic, ride single file
21.5 – R Route 718
23.0 – Bear L on Route 651
24.7 – R Route 29 / Route 56 combined. Watch traffic, ride single file
26.9 – L Route 653
28.9 – L Route 710
29.1 – Route 710 becomes Route 650
29.3 – Return to parking area near Oak Ridge Estate

Walton’s Mountain Museum Loop
31 miles – Begins and ends at Walton’s Mountain Museum on Route 617 (near Route 800) in Schuyler.

0.0 – L Route 617 from Walton’s Mountain Museum
0.4 – R Route 693. Cross Rockfish River
2.9 – L Route 722 at T
4.9 – R Route 602 at T
8.6 – L Route 626 at T (James River, Howardsville, fishing, canoeing picnicking)
14.3 – L Route 627
17.5 – Cross Route 6 (mini market on Route 6 in Esmont) Continue on Route 627 through Esmont.
19.4 – L Route 715
20.1 – R Route 719 at T
22.2 – R Route 630
28.0 – L Route 6
29.4 – R Route 800
30.8 – R Route 617
31.0 – Return to Museum

Woodson’s Mill Loop
24 miles. Begins and ends at Woodson’s Mill on Route 778, just off Route 56 in the Lowesville area.

0.0 – L Route 778. Woodson’s Mill
1.2 – Straight through Route 676
4.7 – L Routes 151/56 at T
5.7 – L Route 56
10.2 – L Route 680. Watch mileage. Disregard first 680 turn.
14.3 – R Route 56. Massies Mill. R almost immediately Route 666.
23.3 – L Route 778 at Lowesville.
Return to Historic Woodson’s Mill

Delfosse Trail
This challenging 5.5 mile trail was designed for hiking, mountain biking and occasional scheduled ATV riding. This trail rolls and twists around the mountain at the Delfosse Winery. The trail is open to the public from 9 am to dusk with access through the winery. Enjoy a taste of award winning wine when you have completed the trail. (434)263-7130

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail
The first 2 miles of the 7 mile trail has been completed between Piney River and Rose Mill. It’s a beautiful and easy trail along the Piney River in Nelson County. There are parking lots at both ends of the trail. The trail is open sunrise to sunset. The final 5 miles should be completed in 2008/09. The trail provides spectacular scenic views of the Piney & Tye Rivers as well as an abundance of wildlife, rock formations and plant life. It provides opportunities for walking, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding and cross country skiing..