OvernighterĪ 105 mile trip is achievable in two days for a cyclist who wants a challenge. The mountains in this area make it one of the best places to do a bike tour in Shenandoah National Park. On its own, there are a few ways to tackle it as an overnight trip, starting in the middle, or as an out and back. While it would be a great addition to a bikepacking trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, today we’ll discuss shorter trips just along Skyline Drive. With over 11,000 feet of climbing, Skyline Drive will test even the strongest cyclist. The tunnels are not lit and can get very dark on a cloudy day. ![]() Remember to bring a headlight and taillight to make sure you can see in the tunnels, and cars can see you. Big Meadows and Skyland both have an on-site restaurant where you can get a good meal and coffee! Filling up on water is also easy as several locations like Thorton’s Gap have water fountains and bathrooms. There are several places to get food and water along the way. Since it’s only 105 miles long, Skyline Drive is better used as a weekend tour or as part of a larger tour. How to Approach Bikepacking Skyline Drive With all of those options to choose from, Skyline Drive provides a great playground for a bike trip. You can also stay in cabins or lodges at Skyland, Big Meadows, and Lewis Mountain. The 5 campgrounds, Dundo, Matthews Arm, Lewis Mountain, Big Meadows, and Loft Mountain are all very well-maintained. There are also plenty of places to stay on Skyline Drive. ![]() Whether it’s Big Meadows, Spitler Knoll, HogBack, or Hawksbill, every skyline drive overlook has something to offer. You may be climbing for a while, but nothing is “fall-over steep.” At the top of each climb (and likely several times on the way up) you’ll be rewarded with one of the famous Skyline Drive overlooks. ![]() Most sections top out at a reasonable 6-7 percent grade. Despite this, the riding isn’t overly difficult. The route more closely resembles a Tour de France stage than most other areas of Virginia. The 105 miles of Skyline Drive scarcely have any flat spots. Looking for more bicycle touring content? Go to our content page The Drive
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