City Escape: Washington, D.C.

A relaxing ramble through rolling Maryland farmlands and the Blue Ridge Mountains with challenging curves and scenic vistas. The best times to go on this loop are May, June, September, and October.

Length

Approximately 186 miles.

Meet-up spot

Starbucks at 14941 Shady Grove Rd (Fallsgrove Shopping Center across from Shady Grove Hospital), Rockville, MD.

Lunch stop

Buffet style home cooking. The Cozy Country Inn, 103 Frederick Rd., Thurmont, MD, (301) 271-4301.

Scenery

Charming villages, expansive vistas from mountain ridges, historic sites, museums, and more.

Traffic

Generally light.

Difficulty

Frequent route changes, some limited sightlines and tight curves, and numerous elevation changes.

Road conditions

Mostly well-paved, two-lane, secondary roads, some narrow, unmarked pavement.

Attractions

Westminster, MD
Charming college town.

Uniontown, MD
Historic one-street village.

Union Bridge
MD: Western Maryland Railway Historical Society.

Loys Station Covered Bridge
near Creagerstown, MD.

Pen Mar
High Rock Park, MD: Sweeping vista of Cumberland Valley.

South Mountain Creamery
West on U.S. 40A from Middletown, MD. Tasty homemade ice cream.

Middletown Valley Overlook
near Jefferson, MD.