The Seminole Trail: Madison Heights to Charlottesville
The Seminole Trail continues northward through some of the prettiest country in Central Virginia.  Hugging the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains through Amherst, Nelson and southern Albemarle Counties, US 29 takes in some the most breathtaking and rustic scenery in Virginia.  Although bypasses of Amherst and Lovingston takes the main highway through two of the Commonwealth's finest small towns, the highway is filled with plenty of rural charm.  Almost as a planned diversion, intersections to numerous back roads invite you to go off the beaten path.
Amherst and Amherst Bypass

US 29 North @ US 60, Amherst Bypass.		 The town of Amherst was bypassed by the four-lane US 29 by 1972.  The county seat of the county that shares its name was originally named Five Oaks. (1)  Like many of the other towns and cities that US 29 now bypasses, the original US 29 routing, now Business Route 29, through Amherst is Main Street.  The old route meets US 60 in Downtown Amherst and this intersection features a traffic circle.  An interesting event that is sponsored by the Amherst County Museum and Historical Society is the "Get to Know Your County Tour", that are centered on local roads or topics.  The tours visits local villages, farms, plus various natural and industrial features.

Between Amherst and Lovingston, US 29 had followed what is now VA 151 to Piney River and then East on VA 56 to Colleen.  This was the original routing of the Seminole Trail/US 29 until the late 1940s when US 29 moved to its current alignment.  To learn more about this alignment head here.

Lovingston and Lovingston Bypass
The Lovingston Bypass was completed in the late 1960s.  This bypass is fairly simple compared with others to its south.  The Lovingston Bypass is about a two-mile limited access roadway with no exits.  Both connections with Business Route 29 to the north and south of town are at grade intersections.  In 2006, the first ever traffic light in Nelson County will be placed in Lovingston.  The intersection is shown in the photo to the right.  The traffic signal, which is also the first on US 29 from Madison Heights to Charlottesville, should be turned on in March 2006. (2)
 
US 29 and VA 56; Lovingston.
Photo by William Froehlig
North of Lovingston, US 29 rolls through Northern Nelson and Southern Albemarle Counties.  A very enjoyable ride through spectacular scenery.  In Nelson County, there are numerous fruit orchards and vineyards that are easily accessible from the Seminole Trail.  No matter what the weather or season this section of Route 29 is a great ride.  It is very peaceful as you journey through the heart of the Dominion.
US 29 North in Southern Albemarle 
County.


Site Navigation:
  • North in and around Charlottesville
  • South into Lynchburg
  • US 29 Index
  • Old Dominion Roads

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    Sources & Links:

  • (1) Amherst County Museum & Historical Society. "Amherst County History." Amherst County Museum....Homepage.http://members.aol.com/achmuseum/history.html (Feb. 5, 2003)
  • (2) Rowe, Megan. "Nelson set for first traffic light." The Daily Progress. Febraury 12, 2006.
  • US 29 @ Virginia Highways Project ---Michael Roberson/William Froehlig
  • Amherst County Museum & Historical Society
  • County of Amherst, Virginia
  • Nelson County Virginia

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    Page Created: February 7, 2003
    Last Updated: February 13, 2006

    (C) 2003-06 William Lawson