Shenandoah and Harpers Ferry

Shenandoah National Park occupies a narrow, elongated stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia, about two hours from Washington. Created in 1935, it protects forests that have regrown over former farms, waterfalls, highland fields and wildlife including black bears and deer.

The park is crossed end to end by the Skyline Drive, a scenic road of about 169 km, with low speed limits and dozens of overlooks over the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont to the east. Trails start from the road to waterfalls like Dark Hollow Falls and to peaks such as Old Rag, one of the most sought-after hikes in the eastern United States.

At the foot of the mountains are the small valley towns. Luray has huge limestone caverns, with an organ that plays the stalactites. Front Royal marks the northern entrance to the Skyline Drive and has other caverns and canoe trips on the Shenandoah River.

Further north, in West Virginia, is Harpers Ferry, a historic town at the confluence that gives the valley its name, site of abolitionist John Brown’s 1859 raid and Civil War battles, crossed by the Appalachian Trail.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Luray, Front Royal, Harpers Ferry.