Trail Overview

State Route 610 or Howardsville Turnpike is an easy and beautiful connector trail going up to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. This route is great if you are looking for an alternate way up to the parkway to access great hikes such as Humpback Rocks, or going down to get to the Sherando Lake Recreation Area. This route includes asphalt on both ends and a gravel middle as it winds up the mountain. The trail is typically maintained, though can include a few deep ruts if there has been heavy rain but overall it should be doable for any 2WD or 4WD vehicle. It is not plowed in the winter time.

Photos of Howardsville Turnpike

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Difficulty

Infrequently maintained gravel road that is safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. Potentially deep ruts can appear after heavy rain.

History

This route also continues along the parkway and eventually goes past Swannanoa, an old mansion built in 1912 by Richmond philanthropist James H. Dooley, before finally reaching the Afton Mountain highway pass. The turnpike itself actually dates back to the 1850s, when it was chartered to connect Howardsville to the James River and Kanawha Canal system and give the area a route through to the Shenandoah Valley.

Technical Rating