Skyline Drive North & Luray Loop

Skyline Drive from its northern end, in one loop: from Front Royal the route enters Shenandoah National Park at mile 0, rides past the Shenandoah Valley Overlook, Dickey Ridge, Hogback and Elkwallow to Thornton Gap, drops on US-211 to Luray and comes back north along the South Fork of the Shenandoah on US-340. It's 67 miles. Entry costs $25 per motorcycle, good for 7 days and up to two bikes. Skyline Drive is slow by design, deer and black bears cross it, and stretches close in bad weather. Fuel up in Front Royal.

This loop rides Skyline Drive from its northern end. It enters Shenandoah National Park at Front Royal, at mile 0, and at mile 2.8 reaches the Shenandoah Valley Overlook, with the river about 800 feet below and the two ridges of Massanutten Mountain across the valley. At mile 4.6 is the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. Farther south, Hogback Overlook, around mile 20.8, is the longest overlook in the park, and at mile 24 the Elkwallow Wayside sells food (open April 29 to November 8 in 2026). This section of the Drive, from Thornton Gap to Front Royal, opened in 1936.

At Thornton Gap the route leaves the park, drops on US-211 to Luray and comes back north through the Page Valley on US-340, past Rileyville and Bentonville along the South Fork of the Shenandoah, to Front Royal. Entry costs $25 per motorcycle, valid for 7 days and covering up to two motorcycles. The Drive is slow by design and has an overlook every few miles, so it takes its time; deer cross it often and black bears sometimes, and the park closes stretches in bad weather. In October the line at the Front Royal entrance can be long. Fuel up in Front Royal.