Located at the western edge of Virginia in the Alleghany Mountains, Highland County has the highest mean elevation of any county east of the Mississippi River. Called "Virginia's Little Switzerland," this region has a lot to offer, from driving tours, historical walks, and winery tours to great hiking and camping.
Check out some of our favorites:

Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile recreational motor road that connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks while protecting the cultural and natural features of the region. Designed as a "scenic drive", the Parkway provides both stunning scenery and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the mountains. There are also many camping spots and hiking trails along the parkway.

For more info visit:http://www.nps.gov/blri/vamap.htm

Crabtree Falls
Located several miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Crabtree Falls is a beautiful place to explore. Hike two miles to the top of the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River for a spectacular panorama of mountains and forests and enjoy the sights and sounds of cascading water along the way. The falls include five major cascades and a number of smaller ones that fall a total of 1,200 feet.

For more information visit:http://www.crabtreefallscampground.com/

Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park

Skyline Drive is not just a road through the park; it is a way to experience it. Drivers will pass rock cliffs, and vistas, and probably deer and other wildlife; they will drive through tunnels of trees, past wildflowers and ferns, and (in late spring) by banks of mountain laurel in bloom. 75 overlooks offer a place to stop and absorb the view and the peace. Many of these overlooks also offer great hiking trails as well as spots to camp.

For more info visit:http://www.nps.gov/shen/2a.htm

Winery Tours
With more than 20 varieties of grapes grown at over 70 licensed farm wineries in Virginia there’s bound to be a vintage to suit any wine lover’s taste. The Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia regions offer a good selection of wineries to take a tour and/or tasting. Our favorites are Veritas, Afton Mountain, and Barboursville wineries, all of which are located within a 20-minute drive of Staunton.

For more info visit:http://virginiawines.org/

Click on the sign for touring tips.