This byway is 180 miles of American history. Stretching from Gettysburg, PA to Monticello, VA the byway covers sites and history from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, multiple Presidential homes, plus 18 National and State parks. By motorcycle, this ride is a fun way to learn and honor American national heritage.
The majority of Hallowed Ground Byway is US Route 15 which runs right through our hometown. This made it an easy decision for a motorcycle ride (like we need an excuse for a ride).
While this should have been an easy long weekend ride for us it was anything but easy. Because of Covid and the changing quarantine restrictions we had to do this ride over 3 seasons of the lost year of 2020. We started our ride, of the Hallowed Ground Byway, at the Gettysburg Battlefield in the spring.
Part 1 – Gettysburg, PA to Leesburg, VA
Gettysburg by motorcycle is fun and it would be extremely easy to spend several days touring the battlefield and the town. You will not be the only motorcycle there, it is surprising how many folks ride their “iron” horses to the national battlefield. I highly recommend that you take a bus tour of the battlefield as the guide will provide a running commentary of what happened at each stop as well as the sites between stops.
Gettysburg by motorcycle is fun and it would be extremely easy to spend several days touring the battlefield and the town. You will not be the only motorcycle there, it is surprising how many folks ride their “iron” horses to the national battlefield. I highly recommend that you take a bus tour of the battlefield as the guide will provide a running commentary of what happened at each stop as well as the sites between stops.
At the time we rode this leg of the Hallowed Ground Byway most of the historic sites were open with very tight restrictions. Many of the indoor facilities were closed but you could still visit the outdoor sites.
I cannot speak to a lot of regarding local accommodations in Gettysburg. Being only a little over an hour from home we did not need to stay overnight. There are a lot of hotels, campgrounds, and such but with the quarantine limitations in place, few were open. Restaurants were mostly restricted in Pennsylvania and less so in Maryland (at that time).
The day of the ride was overcast and cool. The motorcycle was running well, and we were ready for a day behind bars. We rode around most of the Gettysburg Battlefield stopping a few of key points of the battle before heading south on the byway.
The ride south from Gettysburg is an easy county ride on both 2 and 4 lane roads. There are MANY, MANY places to stop along this leg of the Hallowed Ground Byway for example:
National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Multiple covered bridges
Multiple State Parks
Vineyard, Breweries and Distilleries
Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway
Unfortunately for us most everything was closed or very restricted. This day was more about the ride and being with each other than about the sites. One thing that is true is the couple that rides together tends to stay together. On this daytrip we had a great time, just the two of us.
The next leg will cover the Hallowed Ground Byway from Leesburg to Montpelier, home of President James Madison.
Ride On, Ride Safe
C&O Canal Point of Rock MD 
It is not a technical, twisty motorcycle road but fun in its own way. It is more like the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive, 43 miles of ridge top riding with spectacular views and vistas. Just a sit back, relax and enjoy kind of road.
northern end there was a long, steep incline, parts of which are 9% or (seems) greater! With over two thousand feet of elevation change, I had the motorcycle in 3rd gear and used engine braking for what felt like miles of decent. Had the day not been getting late and the shadows long, I would have turned around and rode the Highland Scenic Highway again.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 