Nelson County: Trails, Wine, and History

Discover Nelson County through a wide range of interests: landscapes, trails, history, and local products. When planning a trip, you can focus on what interests you most, such as hiking, historic sites, or seasonal food and drink experiences.

Landscapes and trails with different profiles

Fortune's Cove Preserve is home to an exceptionally rare plant community on its rocky barrens. Fewer than 20 examples are known worldwide. The preserve extends across Virginia's Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions. A challenging 5.3-mile loop hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain is described at Fortune's Cove Nature Preserve.

Other trails offer a different experience: the Rockfish Valley Loop Trails are a flat, four-mile network along the Rockfish River and Reid's Creek. The Kids in Parks Rockfish River Trailhead offers a flat, one-mile family route with Storywalk signs and riverside habitats. You can compare the stated distances, elevation gain, and trail characteristics as you plan.

The Rockfish Valley Foundation offers public trails in Rockfish Valley, nature experiences, programs about local history, and hands-on learning opportunities. This means that nature and history are also central to the experience, alongside hiking.

Blue Ridge Parkway and Nelson Scenic Loop

The first 35 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway run through Nelson County. The Nelson Scenic Loop is a 50-mile driving and cycling route along Route 151, Route 664, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Route 56. You can travel the loop in sections or complete it in a single day trip. The route details offer two different ways to plan: a tour along several roads or a selection of individual sections.

Another route combines a specific trail with a historic structure: the restored Blue Ridge Tunnel dates to the 1850s and is accessible via a 2.25-mile gravel-surfaced trail. The tunnel opened to traffic on April 13, 1858, and was then the longest railroad tunnel in North America.

History and local products

The Oakland ~ Nelson County Museum of Rural History features an exhibit about the 1969 disaster caused by the remnants of Hurricane Camille. The historic tunnel and this exhibit highlight different themes: railroad history on one hand and an event in local history on the other.

Food and drink also offer practical ideas for planning your trip. The Nelson 151 section in northern Nelson County includes five wineries, three breweries, and a cidery. These numbers may change, for example, if businesses open or close. The Blue Ridge Fruit Loop includes a pass for eleven orchards and farms in Nelson and Amherst Counties, where you can pick your own fruit from May through December. Check seasonal program details before your trip.

For more than 25 years, the Nelson Farmer's Market Co-Op has supported local farmers, food processors, and craft vendors. The Virginia Spirits Trail focuses on a farm-to-bottle approach and small-batch production. Individual businesses and participants may change; keep this in mind when matching your interests to current offerings.

Along the James River

The James River forms the southeastern boundary of Nelson County. There are places to launch canoes and kayaks, access for johnboats, and opportunities for fishing. The river adds another activity option to the trail and food and drink offerings. When planning your time, you can first decide whether hiking, history, local products, or activities on the river should take priority.

Discover more destinations: Rockfish, Lovingston, Nellysford, Afton, Buckingham County, York County, Alexandria, Shenandoah Valley.

For the broader travel overview: Virginia.