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Virginia

Augusta County

Afton Overlook – Sawmill Run Overlook loop from Rockfish Gap

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

United States

Virginia

Augusta County

Afton Overlook – Sawmill Run Overlook loop from Rockfish Gap

Hard

2.5

(27)

riders

Afton Overlook – Sawmill Run Overlook loop from Rockfish Gap

02:27

36.6km

620m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 13, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Blue Ridge Parkway

Shenandoah National Park

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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2.12 km

Afton Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

Located just 0.2 miles into the parkway, Afton Overlook is the first official overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Like many of the overlooks of the parkway, this view is of the nearby town. As you climb and descend through the mountains, you get many more views of the network of valleys, rivers, and towns that help make up this unique region of the country.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile paved highway through the states of Virginia and North Carolina. The road is extremely popular for cyclists, cars, and motorcycles, so you should always exercise caution biking on the roadways. Being maintained by the National Park Service, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known for its overlooks and access to natural and wilderness areas. Only paved roads (no paths or trails) are open to bikes within the boundaries of the parkway, and you can expect to see other visitors at most overlooks, trailheads, and campgrounds.

Biking any section of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers an immersion into Southern Appalachia. Taking on the entire road in a multi-day push is an extreme undertaking for serious cyclists; that being said, any section of the parkway can be doable for cyclists with some road biking experience and the right gear.

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18.7 km

Sawmill Run Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

Sawmill Run Overlook sits on a point where Appalachian Trail meets Skyline Drive, and, being accessible by car, it’s not so secluded as other viewpoints in the AT. However, it is a great trailhead to start on the Appalachian Trail. From the overlook you can appreciate expansive views of the Appalachian Mountains covered by forest, and in particular the nearby Turk Mountain Summit.

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