This is a very remote area well above the roads in the valley and just below the Blue Ridge Parkway (which runs along the ridge line). We cross under the parkway twice (2 climbs followed by descents), then return to the nice pavement of route 56 for a quick sweeping descent. The finish loop starts on gravel via another remote slight down then the 2 mile haul (still on gravel) which comes out on the parkway for the final uphill kilometer. Enjoy the vista at the overlook at the end