The Crooked Road
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Region
Southwest Virginia
Type
Regional driving trail
Route
About 330 miles
Known for
Old-time, bluegrass and country music
The Crooked Road is a music-centered drive through the mountains and communities of Southwest Virginia. The official trail describes it as a 330-mile route connecting ten major venues with more than 60 affiliated venues and festivals; another state tourism page gives a slightly different route length, so use the official trail map and current venue listings to shape your itinerary. Rather than a single attraction, it is a way to find live traditional music, local history and cultural stops across the region.[1][2]
Plan a trip to The Crooked Road
Why go
The Crooked Road offers a chance to hear mountain music where it remains part of community life: at concert venues, festivals, museums and informal jams. The route is especially associated with old-time, bluegrass, early country and gospel traditions, but it is also a scenic trip through Southwest Virginia’s towns and mountain landscapes.[3]
It works best as a flexible road trip, not a checklist. Choose a few venues or events that fit your dates, then leave room for nearby museums, craft stops and outdoor diversions. The trail also includes wayside exhibits that introduce the area’s musical heritage along the way.[4]
Highlights
Live music and community jams
The trail connects major venues with affiliated venues, recurring jams and festivals. Check the official event calendar and each venue’s own site before setting out; schedules and admission details can change.[5][6]
Music museums and heritage sites
Museums and historic places interpret the musicians, recordings and regional traditions behind the trail. Among the featured stops are the Birthplace of Country Music, the Blue Ridge Music Center, the Carter Family Fold and the Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center.[7]
Blue Ridge music and instrument-making
The region’s living heritage includes musicians as well as makers of traditional stringed instruments. State tourism highlights luthiers and fiddle makers as part of the Crooked Road experience; check directly with individual makers or visitor organizations about demonstrations and visits.[8]
Mountain scenery and small-town stops
The drive links communities across Southwest Virginia, pairing music-focused stops with mountain views, local crafts, museums and outdoor recreation. The route is a regional network rather than one uninterrupted attraction, so allow time for detours and changing road conditions.[9]
History and character
The Crooked Road began as an idea in January 2003, growing from support among area communities, musicians, venues and tourism organizations. Its defined region includes 19 counties and four cities, and the trail’s mission centers on celebrating, promoting and preserving Southwest Virginia’s musical and cultural heritage.[10][11]
The musical story is broader than any one genre or venue. The Bristol recording sessions of 1927 helped bring regional performers, including the Carter Family, to wider audiences and are frequently recognized as an important moment in country music history. Today, the trail’s mix of performances, exhibits and gatherings connects that recording legacy with musicians and traditions still active in the region.[12][13]
Planning a trip
- Start with the calendar. Pick a concert, jam or festival first, then build nearby stops around it. The official trail site lists venues and events; confirm dates, admission, opening hours and any booking requirements with the venue before traveling.
- Use the official route and venue listings. The Crooked Road is a driving trail through a wide region, not a fixed itinerary. Consult the official trail resources for maps, venue details and current visitor information.[14]
- Allow time between stops. Mountain roads and the spread of communities make it sensible to plan a manageable section of the trail at a time rather than trying to see everything in one day.
- Check the details directly. Venue schedules, seasonal programming, access arrangements and prices can change. Verify them with the attraction or event organizer shortly before departure.
Explore nearby
Abingdon, Virginia
A Southwest Virginia town and a useful gateway for exploring the region.
Bristol, Virginia
Explore the city associated with the 1927 Bristol recording sessions and the Birthplace of Country Music.
Galax, Virginia
A Blue Ridge community connected with traditional music and the trail’s regional venues.
Floyd, Virginia
A small mountain town known for its place in Southwest Virginia’s music scene.
Southwest Virginia
Explore the wider mountain region of towns, heritage sites and outdoor destinations.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Virginia Music, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ About The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ About The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Affiliated Venues, Jams and Festivals Criteria and Procedures, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Virginia Music, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ The Crooked Road Luthiers and Fiddle Makers, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ About The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ About The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Affiliated Venues, Jams and Festivals Criteria and Procedures, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ The Crooked Road Legends, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ Venues, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ The Crooked Road, The Crooked Road. Retrieved October 22, 2026.