Front Royal, Virginia is the northern terminus of Skyline Drive, one of the premier byways of America. Ten thousand or more motorcyclists pass through Front Royal on their way to or from Skyline Drive each year.
What those motorcyclists don’t know is that the riding around Front Royal is amazing! If you are riding to or from Skyline Drive, you owe it to yourself to stop to visit Front Royal and ride our local roads.
Look for my other documented ride in the Front Royal area here.
Mountain Passes and Valley Riding
This “Thrill and Chill” ride gets its name from the Thrills of riding two mountain passes and the Chill of cruising through parts of the Shenandoah Valley.
Heading south out of town you will be cruising through local farmland, vineyards, and quaint small towns. During this part of the ride, you will have spectacular views of the steep, rugged tree-lined mountains to your west. If you are lucky, you will get glimpses of Skyline Drive high above you.
Before long you will see that same mountain in front of you growing larger and taller with each mile. The twists and turns on this pass are as good as any twisty road in America. For those that enjoy mountain riding here is a chance to drag your pegs and experience the fun of flipping your motorcycle through turns. But be careful, this is a high crash area and there is a sign at the bottom pointing out that fact.
Passing under Skyline Drive and down the other side puts you back in the valley and just a chill cruse to Laury, Viriginia. Continuing south you will pass through more verdant farmland and more charming small-town America until you reach Elkton and turn east back towards the looming mountain.
As with the first mountain pass this is a mountain riding lovers heaven. Miles of climbing with tight right and Left corners and a long-twisted descent will put a big smile on anyone’s face.
Before long you will be heading north again via the valley roads until you make it back to Front Royal again. This is a 3-hour(ish) ride covering 145 miles.
Local Highlights
Front Royal Visitor Center
Multiple Vineyards and Breweries
Multiple Farm to Market Shops
Luray Caverns
Luray Rescue Zoo
The Route
From the Front Royal Visitor Center
Right onto Main Street
Right onto Commerce Avenue = US 522
Right onto US 522/211
At Sperryville continue straight on US 211
Right on Ramp to US 340
Left on US 340 through Luray to Elkton
At Elkton Left onto US 33
Left onto US 29
At Madison stoplight intersection of US 29 and Virginia 687
Left onto VA 687 immediate merge onto Business 29
At the east end of Madison, Left onto VA 231 (Blue Ridge Parkway) This is easy to miss you will need to watch.
Left onto US 522
At Sperryville turn right onto US211/522
Left onto US 522
Left onto Front Royal Main Street
