On day 53 of “The Ultimate USA Road Trip” we drive from Waynesboro to Warrenton. We'll ride Virginia's Skyline Drive, a National Scenic Byway that spans 105 miles across the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, beginning at Front Royal in Waynesboro where the Skyline joins the Blue Ridge Parkway north into the Shenandoah Valley. Skyline Drive runs through Shenandoah National Park, with 75 viewpoints, multiple major visitor centers, campgrounds, lodges, picnic areas, and many trailheads. If you want to see all the viewpoints, this will be a true stop-and-go ride, with often disappointing views. Since we do not want that, the most beautiful viewpoints are included as a via point and beautiful viewpoints are marked with a POI, they also have a photo so you can always decide whether you want to stop there. It also depends on the season because in the fall almost every viewpoint is because of the shades of color.

Fall is also the most popular time to travel along Skyline Drive, with its colorful foliage from late September to mid-November. But spring offers the most colorful wildflowers along the driveway, as well as blooming azaleas and mountain laurel. The speed limit is 35 mph. Shenandoah Park is home to deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and a host of other woodland wildlife, and they regularly cross Skyline Drive, so take care on this drive. Proper planning for this ride is advised. Admission to Shenandoah National Park costs $25 per vehicle and $10 per passenger.

There are a number of points along the route where you should definitely stop to enjoy the view, such as;
• Sawmill Overlook a nice view of the southern district of Shenandoah. Looking southwest you can see Calf Mountain from the left, further back is Scott Mountain, closer and straight ahead is Ramsey Mountain, and even closer and to the right is Sawmill Ridge leading to Turk Mountain.
• Crimora Lake Overlook is a good place to contemplate the industrial history of the Shenandoah Valley. Nestled between two ridges straight ahead is the site of a former manganese mine. Mining operations began in 1867 and at one point this area was home to one of the largest manganese deposits in the United States. The mine was closed in 1946 and all that remains are the small artificial lakes that were once built to process ore.
• Moormans River Overlook on your right is Charlottesville Reservoir, fed by Moorman's River. This river has flooded many times, most notably in 1895, 1924, 1942, and most recently on June 27, 1995. The 1995 floods caused nearly 100 landslides. The Charlottesville Reservoir, also known as Sugar Hollow Reservoir, captured much of the debris that flowed downstream and prevented damage to nearby homes.
• Black Rock Summit. From the parking lot, it's a short hike to a lookout point atop a rocky talus with fantastic views of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain, and beyond.
• Doyles River Overlook offers views of Browns Cove, Little Flat Mountain, High Top Mountain and Cedar Mountain. Browns Cove is a small community named after the Brown family, who have long lived in the area. The first Brown in the area was Benjamin Brown, who acquired nearly 6,000 acres around Doyles River between 1747 and 1760. Mount Fair, Brown's historic ranch, still stands with the main house, slave quarters, and two cemeteries.
• Brown Mountain Overlook is long, with views from south to north. Looking south from the left, you can see the points of Trayfoot Mountain and Rockytop in the distance, with Big Run in the valley below. Rocky Mountain is the mountain closest to the viewpoint. Looking north, you can see Two Mile Ridge from the left, with Rocky Mount on the right. The Shenandoah Valley is visible to the north.
• Climb Bearfence Mountain to see amazing 360-degree views of Shenandoah National Park. It's a 1.4km climb and it's challenging, you'll have to use your hands, feet and arms, even knees to get to the top, but it's worth it.
• Crescent Rock Overlook has some of the best views of Hawksbill Peak, the highest peak in Shenandoah, at 4,050 ft (1,234 m). To Hawksbill's right is Naked Summit, which descends along Hershberger Ridge to the valley below.
• Thorofare Mountain Overlook is the highest overlook in the park. Straight ahead you can see Thorofare Mountain and in the distance Hazel Mountain, Pinnacle Ridge and Old Rag Mountain.
• Stoney Man Overlook on your left offers a nice view of Shenandoah Valley. Optionally, hike a 1.5-mile trail for even closer views of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain, and beyond. The walk takes about 1 hour.
• Buck Hollow Overlook look out over the Skinner Ridge and Buck Ridge mountains. You will also see the town of Sperryville, founded in 1820 along the Thornton River. The river provided the necessary power for industrial operations, most notably the Smoot Tannery which was established in 1867.
• Hogback Overlook, the longest overlook in the park, stretches 1,000 feet along Skyline Drive. You can see Gimlet Ridge, Mathews Arm and in the distance, on a clear day, the Allegheny Mountains.
• Little Devils Stairs Overlook offers extensive views to the south. Little Devils Stairs is a rocky gorge, which you can descend, but there are some very steep sections and as the name implies, walking in this section is not for the faint of heart. From Little Devils Stairs you can see Pignut Mountain, Pickerel Ridge and on a clear day the Old Rag in the distance.
• Range View Overlook offers expansive views of the mountains of Shenandoah National Park, from Keyser Mountain in front of you all the way to Old Rag and Stony Man Mountain in the distance.


Along Skyline Drive are a number of Visitors Centers where you can stop to get a little more information about Shenandoah National Park. Midway through the day we stop for lunch with a great view at Spottswood Dining Room. Take the time to also hike the trail to the Blackrock Overlook, which offers great views from this vantage point.

After this beautiful and long day we stop for dinner in Flint Hill at the Griffin Tavern. This lovely restaurant in a renovated 19th century house with 3 dining rooms, seasonal outdoor seating and a pub that offers a "Cheers Like" experience is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal. Griffin Tavern is the place where locals gather and travelers come to dine. The menu includes home cooked meals and pub favorites using fresh ingredients and local produce. They offer Fish n' Chips, Tavern Wings, Shepherd's Pie, Great Hamburgers, Seafood and Steak Specials. After dinner we drive to the Hotel in Warrenton, the end point of this beautiful day.