Scenic Drive through Bath CountyThe peaceful winding roads through the County of Bath are ideal for exploring by car or motorcycle. The untouched mountain landscape remains almost exactly as it was when the founding fathers strolled through. Bring your camera and capture sunrises, sunsets and every magical moment in between.

Scenic Drives & Day Trips

We suggest these scenic routes which are ideal for motorcycle or driving tours. Please do not rely on your GPS or Smartphone. Cell service in the area can be spotty and the GPS is unreliable. Ask your host or check with the Office of Tourism (540-839-7202) or the Visitor Center (540-839-5409) to download and print the Google Maps that matches your destination. And then, let your journey begin.

View our Motorcycle Rides & Scenic Drives Brochure:

Scenic Drives

Eastern Highland & Bath County Loop:

Summary:

This peaceful drive through the eastern portions of Highland and Bath Counties passes through several charming towns and includes sweeping vistas from the top of Warm Springs Mountain. The loop begins and ends in the Town of Warm Springs.

Mileage:
74 miles

Driving Time:
1 hour, 49 minutes

Directions:

Start at the informational gazebo on Route 220 near the junction with Route 39.

Head north on Route 220 to Monterey.

Turn right on Main Street (a.k.a. Route 250) east out of town.

Just at the top of Jack Mountain, you can turn off to hike to the Sounding Knob Fire Tower, or keep going east.

Turn south on Route 678. After 7 miles, you will pass the historic Hayfields Farm. The valley will begin to narrow as you travel the remaining 7 miles to the Bullpasture Gorge. Keep heading south across the Bath County line.

Continue on Route 678 and at the intersection with Old Plantation Way, it will turn into Route 625.

Make a slight right onto Route 629.

Dan Ingalls OverlookTurn right on Route 39 to head toward the top of Warm Springs Mountain, where you will encounter one of the region’s most Instagram-worthy spots — Dan Ingalls Overlook.

Continue on Route 39 to the junction of Route 220 in Warm Springs to complete the loop.

 


 

Midland Trail & Humpback Bridge Loop:

Summary:

This scenic drive begins and ends in Hot Springs. It passes through scenic portions of Bath and Alleghany Counties. It includes two of the regions most popular roadside attractions — Falling Spring Falls and Humpback Bridge.

Mileage:
96 miles

Driving Time:
2 hours, 21 minutes

Directions:

Head south on Route 220, also known as Sam Snead Highway. After passing Falling Spring Falls on your right, continue south through hairpin turns as you cross Warm Springs Mountain.

After passing WestRock Paper Mill, turn right on East Riverside Street, which becomes West Riverside Street and intersects with South Monroe Avenue, also known as Route 60 The Midland Trail, in downtown Covington.

Humpback Bridge in Alleghany Highlands, VaTurn right on Route 60, which promptly crosses over the Jackson River. In approximately five miles, you’ll pass historic Humpback Bridge, one of the great iconic structures of Virginia.

Continue on Route 60 The Midland Trail to Callaghan.

Turn right onto Route 600. The rest of the loop is on quiet back roads past farmland with nice views of the mountains.

Continue on Route 600 until it veers right onto Route 641. After approximately two miles, turn left on Route 687. This winding and scenic road offers occasional views of the Jackson River.

You will cross back into Bath County.

Turn right on Route 615, which becomes Main Street in Hot Springs, where the loop finishes at the junction of
Main Street and Sam Snead Highway.

 


 

Four County Scenic Loop:

Summary:

This drive begins and ends in Warm Springs. It passes through portions of four Virginia counties and includes a ride through the breathtaking Goshen Pass. In the summer, people gather and swim in the Maury River in the pass. In the fall, the foliage is breathtaking.

Mileage:
135 miles

Driving Time:
3 hours

Directions:

Start at the Informational Gazebo on Route 39 near the Jefferson Pools. Head east on Route 39, also known as Appalachian Waters Scenic Byway.

Goshen Pass by Steve ShiresAfter passing through Millboro Springs and Millboro, you will enter Rockbridge County. Follow the signs as Route 39 passes through the town of Goshen before it begins running parallel to the Maury River as it cuts through Goshen Pass.

After passing through Rockbridge Baths, turn left on Route 252.

Continue for approximately 25 miles to the intersection with Route 250 on the outskirts of the charming City of Staunton – a great place for a meal or some sightseeing.

Head west on Route 250 through a portion of Augusta County and into Highland County.

Continue through the Town of McDowell to Monterey.

In downtown Monterey, turn left to head south on Route 220. Route 220 is a scenic road that leads back into Bath County,
where it becomes Sam Snead Highway. You’ll return to Warm Springs to complete the loop.

 


 

Goshen Pass & Downtown Lexington:

Summary:

The route begins and ends in Warm Springs. The drive begins just like the previous route, but after going through Goshen Pass, it turns south and passes through the historic town of Lexington, Virginia.

Mileage:
101 miles

Driving Time:
2 hours, 6 minutes

Directions:

Start at the Informational Gazebo on Route 39 near the Jefferson Pools. Head east on Route 39, also known as Appalachian Waters Scenic Byway.

After passing through Millboro Springs and Millboro, you will enter Rockbridge County. Follows the signs as Route 39 passes through the town of Goshen before it begins running parallel to the Maury River as it cuts through Goshen Pass.

Pass through Rockbridge Baths and remain on Route 39. Just past the Virginia Horse Center, you’ll come to the intersection of Route 39 and Route 11. Turn right to go south on Route 11 for approximately 2.5 miles.

Downtown Lexington Va by Chris WeislerExit to head west on Route 60 The Midland Trail, which passes through downtown Lexington, a charming town with great restaurants, shops, museums and the campuses of Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute.

Proceed west on Route 60. Continue west as Route 60 merges onto I-64. Remain on I-64 west into Alleghany County. Take Exit 29, turn right at end of the ramp heading north on Route 42. This scenic road offers some views of the Cowpasture River as it returns to Bath County.

Turn left on Route 39 and backtrack the first few miles of the journey past Dan Ingalls Overlook and back to the Informational Gazebo in Warm Springs.

 


 

Midland Trail – Lewisburg & Marlinton, West Virginia:

Summary:

The loop begins and ends in Hot Springs. It passes two favorite roadside attractions in Alleghany County – Falling Spring Falls and Humpback Bridge – before heading into West Virginia, where it includes the charming town of Lewisburg. The roads are scenic but very twisty as they climb mountains between West Virginia and Virginia.

Mileage:
126 miles

Driving Time:
2 hours, 58 minutes

Directions:

Falling Spring FallsHead south on Route 220, also known as Sam Snead Highway. Look for the roadside overlook at Falling Spring Falls.

Continue south through hairpin turns as you cross Warm Springs Mountain. After passing WestRock Paper Mill, turn right on East Riverside Street, which become West Riverside Street and intersects with South Monroe Avenue, also known as Route 60 The Midland Trail, in downtown Covington.

Turn right on Route 60, which promptly crosses over the Jackson River. In approximately five miles, you’ll pass historic Humpback Bridge, one of the great iconic structures of Virginia. Continue on Route 60 The Midland Trail to Callaghan, where it merges with I-64 West. Stay on I-64 West into West Virginia.

Route 60 exits the interstate at Exit 181 and meanders through White Sulphur Springs on its way to Lewisburg. (NOTE: An
alternative route is to stay on I-64 West to Exit 169 in Lewisburg.)

Turn right to go north on Route 219. Follow this scenic and winding road for approximately 41 miles to the town of Marlinton, WV.

Turn right to go east on Route 39. In about 15 miles, you will cross the state line and enter Bath County, Virginia. Route 39
is a winding road through the mountains as it makes its way to Warm Springs.

At the junction of Route 39 and 220, turn right and return to the starting point in Hot Springs.