A section of the Appalachian Mountain Range runs down the western side of Virginia, known as the Blue Ridge Mountains. The name comes from the blue haze that results for the emission of isoprene by the trees that cover the mountains. A northern section of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been protected as Shenandoah National Park, and you can drive through the mountains on Skyline Drive. South of the National Park you can continue your drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 755 kilometre (469 mile) long road that runs through Virginia and North Carolina along the crest of the mountains.to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
View from Brown Mountain Overlook
We have visited Shenandoah National Park in April and June. There are no prizes for guessing that this picture was taken during the June visit. If you are expecting scenery to match the great National Parks in the western USA then you will be disappointed as the landscape here is much softer and has a near continuous tree cover. One day we hope to visit in the autumn in order to see the fall foliage.
View towards Elkton from The Point Overlook
The town of Elkton sits down in the Shenandoah Valley on the south fork of the Shenandoah River. The blue haze that gave the mountains their name is visible in the distance.
Shenandoah Valley from Skyline Drive
The fertile Shenandoah Valley is very different from the from the Blue Ridge Mountains and there are several points where Skyline Drive looks out directly across the valley.
Shenandoah National Park
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Blue Ridge Mountains from the Skyline Drive
In April, the Blue Ridge Mountains look very different with the trees yet to burst into leaf. The graduated colours of the distant mountains more than make up for the lack of leaves.
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© Mike Elsden 1981 - 2025
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