Destination Bedford offers big, bold and unforgettable experiences. You’ll see stunning beauty in the Blue Ridge Mountains and hear stories of bravery that will take your breath away at the National D-Day Memorial.
Scenic Drives
Destination Bedford is filled with scenic back roads that are perfect for exploring in automobiles or motorcycles. The scenery ranges from lakes to farmland to the Blue Ridge Mountains. From much of Bedford County, you can see the iconic mountain peaks collectively known as the Peaks of Otter.
Bedford and Smith Mountain Lake Loop
This drive begins at the Bedford Area Welcome Center.
- Exit Bedford Area Welcome Center and go south on Rt. 122
- Cross Halesford Bridge
- Right at roundabout on Rt. 636 Hardy Road
- Right on Rt. 654 Feather Road
- Right on Rt. 24 Washington Avenue
- Left on Rt. 619 Jordantown Road
- Left on Rt. 726 Quarterwood Road
- Right on Rt. 460 – Return to Welcome Center
Approximate Distance: 62 Miles
Big Island – Forest Loop
This drive begins at the Bedford Area Welcome Center.
- Exit Bedford Area Welcome Center and go north on Rt. 122 through downtown
- Right on Rt. 501 in Big Island
- Right on Rt. 221 through Forest and return to Welcome Center
Approximate Distance: 55 Miles
In addition to lesser-known scenic roads, Bedford is home to a particularly breathtaking stretch of the most famous scenic drive on the east coast — the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Parkway offers 469 miles of picturesque travel across Virginia and North Carolina. Ranging in elevations from 600 to 6,000 feet, the road encompasses a variety of ever changing weather conditions, regardless of the season. The Parkway was designed as a scenic leisure road for motor vehicles so bikers should use caution and be prepared for significant distances between developed areas and services that may vary by season. Parkway maps are available at the Bedford Welcome Center, the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center or visit www.nps.gov/blri.
