Step into America’s most storied landscape on the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway, a 180-mile passage through the very heart of our nation’s history. Stretching from Somerset, Virginia to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this National Scenic Byway traverses rolling Piedmont farmland, quaint colonial villages, and battlefields that shaped the course of American history.

Along this remarkable corridor, you’ll encounter an unparalleled concentration of historic treasures: the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg National Military Park, the charming streets of Frederick, Maryland, and the pastoral beauty of Virginia’s horse country. Pass by presidential homes, centuries-old churches, and stone walls that witnessed both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

The landscape shifts from Virginia’s gentle Blue Ridge foothills through Maryland’s verdant valleys to Pennsylvania’s iconic farmland. Stop at Antietam National Battlefield, explore the vibrant arts scene in Leesburg, or simply pull over to admire the patchwork of fields and forests that have remained largely unchanged for generations.

Spring brings dogwood blooms and mild temperatures, while autumn transforms the route into a tapestry of crimson and gold. Allow two to three days to fully appreciate this journey—rushing through would mean missing the quiet moments where history whispers from every hillside.

Explore Nearby

• Youghiogheny Wild River Natural Environmental Area — State Park in Maryland
• Wye Oak State Park — State Park in Maryland
• Utica Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Maryland
• Roddy Road Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Maryland
• Upper Cedar Point Light — Lighthouse in Maryland