Wintergreen lodging along the Nelson Scenic Route provides you with a comfortable place to stay while you take in some of Virginia's most magnificent natural beauty. The route is more commonly referred to as the Nelson Scenic Loop and is a 50-mile route through Nelson County. Along this route you will encounter some of the history of this area as well as cultural and natural beauty. The loop is best suited for auto or bicycle use.
Where Does the Loop Run?
The loop starts it's circular journey in Wintergreen at the Spruce Creek Park Visitor's Center along Route 151. You'll want to start here as there is a map highlighting points of interest along the route here that will help you plan your trip. Once you're ready to hit the road, you'll travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway, VA Route 151 (Patrick Henry Highway) VA Route 56 (Crabtree Falls Highway), and County Route 664 (Beech Grove Road). These roads will take you from the foothills of the Peidmont to the summit of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Points of Interest
The mass of attractions along the loop are in the Wintergreen area, though the southern tip of the loop around Jonesboro and Roseland offer several attractions as well. Here is a breakdown of the different types of things to do along the 50-mile trek.
- Visit a Winery- There are four wineries in this 50-mile loop. The Pharsalia is an antebellum located near Massie's Mill. Here you will find sweeping views overlooking the Tye River Valley. High View Winery offers panoramic mountain views and is located in Beech Grove. Elk Hill Winery is positioned at Nellysford. There is also a winery in Wintergreen.
- Overlooks- Perfect for picture taking, there are several overlook areas along the trail. These places look as though they were built to be a backdrop to the perfect photo. Perhaps the most impressive overlooks are at Bald Mountain and Fork Mountain. These spots will be marked with a roadside marker.
- Take in a Festival- The Love Mountain Festival is a large free bluegrass festival held in June every year in the Love Gap. This area is located about 500 feet from mile marker 16. You'll find food, music, and educational programs. There is also a square dancing festival held in Rockfish in June. These festivals offer a real glimpse at what life in these mountains is like. They are spirited and lively and quite possibly unlike anything you've ever seen before.
- For The History Buff- You will find an assortment of early churches and farms along the route. There are also plantations, old schoolhouses, mills, and cemeteries for the browsing. Make a note of the historical markers at Camille Memorial Park, The Rockfish Church, and the home of Major Thomas Massie, an Aide-de-camp to General Nelson during the American Revolution.
Not surprisingly you will also find a wealth of foot trails for hiking along the loop. These are all clearly marked and range in difficulty from beginner to expert.
A Wintergreen vacation home found with Vamoose.com puts you in the middle of this Appalachian culture and history. You can search for your vacation home by location, amenities or price.