Gettysburg PA to Camden NC

[jmadams13]

Long time lurker, first time poster...

This spring I am going to do my first multi night solo trip.  I have done many over nighters, but this will be my first solo multi day/night.  The driving distance is a little over 330miles.  I am looking for a route thats is mostly dirt/gravel road, trail.  I am not opposed to many road miles, but like to stay off the beaten path as much as possable.  I am also not opposed to heading west a little to avoid DC and southern MD (I work there, and have no intrest in seeing it by bike)  Maybe even starting in Harpers Ferry or Leesburg.  My only requirement is that I ride through the Dismal swamp NP, even if on roads.  Its a great park to drive threw, and on a bike would be even better.  Anyone have any ideas or input?  I could just ride rt 17 most of the way, and may do for a while, but like I said, I wanna be off the beaten path as much as possable.  Thanks for any input you can give.  This place is great. 

[John G]

Here is a link to Frederick County, MD and surrounding dirt roads.  This will get you started through down past Leesbburg, VA.    I'm not sure what you will find farther south in VA, but east of 95 there are some nice quiet paved roads through civil war history.  I've always loved crossing the James on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, which will get you moving towards the Swamp.

You might ask for route info on the MORE boards.  There are VA members of  MORE with better on the ground knowledge.

Cheers.

[jmadams13]

Thanks for the input.  I think I have most of the G'burg to Hapers Ferry planned out.  I think I may still use the C&O, then the VA greenway for parts.  I know the greenway is not off the beaten path as much as I'd like, but it will do if I can't find a better alternate. 

[SandSurfer]

You might want to try county DOT maps.  Many are online but Virginia's are not.  They are cheap to order.  Pick your counties and they will mail it to you for $0.35 each.  Here's the link: http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/resources/Virginia-maps-order-form.pdf.  Most of the state county dot maps indicate paved vs dirt roads.  Florida, Georgia and NC do a great job of this.  The only issue is that occasionally dirt roads get paved.

[VABikePacker]

Just to update this thread some - the link currently for ordering maps of Virginia counties can be found at:

http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/resources/Virginia-maps-order-form.pdf