Massanutten
Mountain, primarily a recreation area and part of the George Washington National
Forest, is like a solitary island between Shenandoah National Park to the east
(with its Skyline Drive) and I-81 and the Shenandoah Mountains to the west.
While there is no special parkway or drive along the ridge similar to Skyline
Drive, there are some minor Forest Service roads. But if you're really a
leaf-looker, your best views are from across the South Fork of the Shenandoah
River which flows up along the east side of the mountain.
Take
US-340 (I-66 exit 6) through Front Royal to Luray (US-211). You can then turn
right and take US-211 to I-81 at exit 264, - or turn left and take US-211 to the
Skyline Drive. Then you can return to Front Royal via the Skyline Drive.
Optionally, you could continue on US-211 to Warrenton (it is 4-lane divided and
passes through beautiful, mostly wooded, rolling foothills with plenty of fall
colors). There you can connect with US-17 (also 4-lane divided highway) which
leads to Fredericksburg and I-95.
While
you are in the Luray area you might wish to view Luray
Caverns. Here,
again, your senses will be impacted with many colors but of a different nature.
But, then, isn't nature what this is all about?
Most accommodations are 'booked
up' during the fall leaf viewing season. If you haven't made your hotel/motel reservations yet we
have included access to an on-line hotel reservation system for your convenience.
Note about Luray Caverns: they operate two motels on premises. However the Best
Western and Days
Inn in town are
equal (the Best Western a little more plush, perhaps) and at much lower rates.
Hotel
reservations are available, usually at a discount,
in the following nearby communities:
-
Front Royal -
I-66 exit 6; northern terminus of Skyline Drive
-
Harrisonburg -
I-81 exits 243, 245, 247 and 251
-
Luray -
on US-211 (14 miles east of I-81 exit 264 -
9 miles east of Skyline Drive)
-
Manassas - I-66 exits 43 and 47
-
Warrenton - 12 miles south of I-66 exit 28;
on US-17 freeway at US-211
-
Winchester -
the western beltway (VA-37) runs from I-81
exit 310
to exit 317. Exits from I-81 to downtown are 313 and 315.
|
