Virginia’s Historic Trails

When the pavement ends, the travel by gravel fun begins.

Some historic treasures don’t fit inside a museum. Take the 300 miles of gravel roadways that wind through Loudoun County’s pastures and ridges. “These are the same paths traveled by early colonists, Revolutionary War soldiers, and George Washington when he surveyed the Shenandoah Valley,” says Douglas Graham, an award-winning photojournalist who is among those spearheading their preservation. “They represent the beginning of the rural economy of the United States, and they are worth saving.” Graham and a team of volunteers formed America’s Routes to save the back roads and their living history, a challenging mission in Loudoun, where development has already paved over many of these historic roadways. America’s Routes encourages people to experience Loudoun’s gravel roads, whether by hoof, foot, bike, or car. Says Beth Erickson, CEO of Visit Loudoun, “These roads force us to slow down and connect with the history, villages, farms, wineries, and breweries that make Loudoun so special.” AmericasRoutes.com

(Photograph by Doug Graham)

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This article originally appeared in the December 2021 issue.