Western Albemarle Scenic Tour

The roads of the Western half of Albemarle County sit at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are bordered by farms, orchards, wineries, and beautiful parks.

Quiet country roads make up the majority of this route, with undulating terrain to make sure you are able to get the heart rate up. This route also makes a beautiful ride for motorcyclists or even a scenic drive for day-trippers staying in Charlottesville.

Where to Start

The start of this route is located just twenty miles from Downtown Charlottesville (a twenty minute drive). You can begin your ride from either Claudius Crozet Park or Beaver Creek Park which have a place to change and use the restroom. Crozet Park and Beaver Creek Park open up to spectacular views of Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains, with Beaver Creek providing a long view over the reservoir.

If you start from Claudius Crozet Park, you'll pass through the small downtown area of Crozet, with plentiful coffee and breakfast spots. Enjoy a pastry or cup of joe before you head out on your ride from Praha Bohemian Bohemian Bakery and Café, The Yellow Mug, or Mudhouse Coffee.

Beaver Creek is a popular starting point for this ride with beautiful views of the reservoir and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Where to Stay

With so much to do along this route, it's easy to make a multi-day trip out of your ride. Plus, you can stay at one of the accommodations available on or near the route. For those wanting an experience wrapped in nature, check out Misty Mountain Camp Resort. With multiple tent and RV sites, as well as cabins with refrigerators and microwaves, this can serve as your jump-off point for many activities in the area.

For a more upscale experience, check out the suites at Piedmont Place. These beautifully furnished stays provide incredible views, as well as proximity to many local eateries including a number in the same building.

Are winery visits on your to-do list? Then check out an overnight stay at the Inn at Stinson Vineyards. Located right in the vineyards, this stay has a healthy breakfast menu, charcuterie boards, and a seasonal pool.

The Inn at Stinson Vineyards Nestled amongst the vines of Stinson Vineyards and surrounded by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Inn at Stinson Vineyards is a modern iteration of a classic country bed and breakfast. Every visit offers the chance for a… Learn More
Misty Mountain Camp Resort 100 sites, 10 cabins. Open year ‘round. Mountain views, small river and fishing pond, open and wooded sites. Family-oriented fun. Outdoor pool, store. WiFi internet, cable TV. Tent sites $21 (2 people included), cabins $39-99; water and electricity $25; water… Learn More
Piedmont Place Suites Piedmont Place is situated in downtown Crozet. Each suite sleeps 6 people and offers 2 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms (1 King w/TV, 1 Queen), a fully equipped kitchen with sit-in bar, a spacious living room with a pull-out couch, and… Learn More

Points of Interest

An iconic part of rural culture in Virginia, you'll find many local country and general stores along this route, including Wyant’s Country Store and Batesville Market.

Batesville Market has a diverse collection of craft beverages available for sale, a menu of deli sandwiches, as well as live music performances on the Batesville Stage. Greenwood Grocery is not too far off of the route and has an incredible wine and craft beverage selection, as well as local produce and goods. You can also grab a sandwich for the road.

Grab a sandwich at Greenwood Grocery. Image courtesy of @heytcfoornearme

Winery & Brewery Stops

An abundance of wineries and breweries with beautiful views are present along the Western Albemarle Scenic Tour. If you are riding the route on a Sunday between Memorial Day and Mid-October, stop by King Family Vineyards for a polo match. These free matches start at noon and are very much a local spectacle. Among the spectators, you'll see families, food trucks, and staff on golf carts delivering sprectators bottles of cold rosé.

For a quieter or more intimate winery experience, this route also passes by Chiswell Farm and Winery and Septenary Winery which both welcomes guests aged 21+ only. Other wineries include Grace Estate and Stinson Vineyards. On Thursdays in the summer time, Stinson opens their outdoor grill to guests who are welcome to bring their own meats and veggies for a cookout.

If you are looking for weekend live music, stop by Pro Re Nata Brewery, translated to “as needed.” This brewpub and music hall has both indoor and outdoor stages, as well as a diverse list of beers and ciders and woodfired pizzas available to order. Starr Hill Brewery is another spot that has great outdoor seating and plenty of events throughout the summer.

Optional Route Additions or Short Cuts

For riders that are beginners or new to the sport, you can make this route more approachable with the following tweaks.

  • Head left at the railroad bridge intersection in Crozet instead of right, and head right for Jarmans Gap Road.
  • This allows you to split the route into two smaller loops, with both of them starting and ending near downtown Crozet.

Looking to tackle even more miles on this ride? Add on the Fox Mountain Gravel Route (map below) for an additional 21 miles along some rustic gravel roads. This route also ventures deeper into the undulations of the Blue Ridge, offering a greater change in elevation.

Additional Rides & Routes

The Western Albemarle Scenic Tour showcases some of the best sights of Albemarle County - but it's just one of many great rides in the area. Explore our Trails & Outdoor Routes page for more inspiration for rides as well as hiking and paddling opportunities.

Trails & Outdoor Routes

With paths and trails just minutes from the Downtown Mall, and terrain that offers everything from mountain biking to overnight paddling trips, our little piece of Virginia is incredibly diverse in its outdoor recreation offerings.

Learn More

Prepare for Your Ride

  • Bring enough food and water. It's important to stay hydrated at any time of year. Make sure you have enough food and water for the duration of your ride.
  • Pack it in, pack it out. Make sure any trash created during your ride stays with you and is properly disposed of. Wrappers and packaging can fly out of pockets!
  • Be aware of the local wildlife. You may encounter local wildlife during your ride. Stay aware of your surroundings and give wildlife the proper space if you encounter them on the trail.
  • Watch out for vehicles. Many of these routes are on roads that are shared with vehicles and without protected bike lanes. Stay aware of your surroundings and be sure to signal your intentions to others on the road.
  • Stay visible. Wear or mount a rear blinking light to your bike.
  • Have a plan and make sure someone knows the plan. Make sure you know how to get back to your vehicle at the end of your ride. Be sure to share your plans or location with someone you trust.

Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that the land we recreate on and refer to as Charlottesville and Albemarle County is the ancestral lands of the Monocan Nation and its people. The Monacan Indians have lived here for over 10,000 years and continue to live here to this day. We acknowledge their presence as well as their current and historical contributions to this region.

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