Underrated or little-known Scenic Views

[webny99]

What are your favorite underrated or otherwise little-known scenic views? They could even be from a residential side street or somewhere unexpected.
Inspired by this view of Mount Hood in Clackamas, OR.

A few a little closer to home:
View of the Bristol Hills, Victor, NY
Vroman's Nose Trail, Middleburgh, NY

[Max Rockatansky]

CA 49 at the site of Fremont's Fort overlooks the Merced River Canyon and a really awesome view of the highway itself:

https://flic.kr/p/2jD4X1B

https://flic.kr/p/2hwAae8

https://flic.kr/p/W5ZDyU

[webny99]

Another one that just came to mind that's overshadowed (both literally and figuratively) by nearby Glacier NP: Lone Pine State Park near Kalispell, MT.

[Dirt Roads]

For those headed for the Cranberry Highlands of West Virginia, take heed that scenic WV-55 was extended along the Gauley River for a reason.  The overlook at Crupperneck Bend off of WV-20 (multiplexed with WV-55) rises little more than 300 feet over the Gauley River, but it is just enough to take in the entire 180-degree loop in the river.  If you stay on WV-39 (which is scenic in its own right), you miss this spectacular part of West Virginia altogether. 

Before WV-55 was extended in 1982, most West Virginians chose this scenic route using former WV-43 from Muddlety to Craigsville and then WV-20 back down to get back to WV-39 at Fenwick if the weather was good.  It's my understanding that the traffic counts remained higher on this route than WV-39 itself, triggering the DOH to come up with scheme to for a scenic through route.  Not sure if extending WV-55 made any lick of sense, but it got the point across to tourists that this is an optional route.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

This overlook on MN 23 looking into Jay Cooke State Park.

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.6382281,-92.3148897,3a,75y,283.3h,82.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sq2KIVMvvaxRbWTXxpPZ5sw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[Roadgeekteen]

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6069707,-80.7361353,3a,75y,351.31h,88.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_a4nM_tA_ZjocTbxba-4rQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D_a4nM_tA_ZjocTbxba-4rQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D254.58264%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

The view from I-77 in Virginia isn't talked about much.

[webny99]

The view from I-77 in Virginia isn't talked about much.

That's a good one. Also I-64.

[Dirt Roads]

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6069707,-80.7361353,3a,75y,351.31h,88.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_a4nM_tA_ZjocTbxba-4rQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D_a4nM_tA_ZjocTbxba-4rQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D254.58264%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

The view from I-77 in Virginia isn't talked about much.

And that view is from the wrong lanes, so you miss the view of Pilot Mountain looking down at it.  Which points out that this view is almost all in North Carolina whereas the vantage point in entirely in Virginia.

[Roadgeekteen]

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6069707,-80.7361353,3a,75y,351.31h,88.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_a4nM_tA_ZjocTbxba-4rQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D_a4nM_tA_ZjocTbxba-4rQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D254.58264%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

The view from I-77 in Virginia isn't talked about much.

And that view is from the wrong lanes, so you miss the view of Pilot Mountain looking down at it.  Which points out that this view is almost all in North Carolina whereas the vantage point in entirely in Virginia.

I must of gotten the wrong view, I remember seeing a very nice view from I-77 south.

[kevinb1994]

I recall a jaw-dropping view on I-77 somewhere north of Statesville. I can't recall exactly where. It was where there were train tracks in the valley below.

[index]

I recall a jaw-dropping view on I-77 somewhere north of Statesville. I can’t recall exactly where. It was where there were train tracks in the valley below.

I've been on that section a lot around Statesville, north and south of it, and it's not particularly remarkable from my experience. Just trees and not much else. There's no valleys of note until you get to the New River crossing in Virginia (although there's no railroad tracks crossing it). Maybe you're thinking of another location? The closest thing I can think of with a view that has a valley with railroad tracks heading north of Statesville is the New River Gorge Bridge, which is on US 19/Corridor L in West Virginia, not I-77. Although it does assume the straight-north direction that I-77 gives up heading for Charleston.



This view of Charleston, WV from Anaconda Ave is pretty decent and doesn't seem all too well-known.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.363802,-81.6407036,3a,75y,181.87h,91.66t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1se3AYexS7bQDPWAytEqLZuQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3De3AYexS7bQDPWAytEqLZuQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D348.4793%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656
I also really like NC 226 heading into Spruce Pine.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.9065473,-82.0738625,3a,75y,13.23h,87.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sR4Lm20pcDSXUNbZ60uyriA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[kevinb1994]

I recall a jaw-dropping view on I-77 somewhere north of Statesville. I can't recall exactly where. It was where there were train tracks in the valley below.

I've been on that section a lot around Statesville, north and south of it, and it's not particularly remarkable from my experience. Just trees and not much else. There's no valleys of note until you get to the New River crossing in Virginia (although there's no railroad tracks crossing it). Maybe you're thinking of another location? The closest thing I can think of with a view that has a valley with railroad tracks heading north of Statesville is the New River Gorge Bridge, which is on US 19/Corridor L in West Virginia, not I-77. Although it does assume the straight-north direction that I-77 gives up heading for Charleston.

If you're referring to the New River, I actually had to take a look in person and not from the car I was riding in. So no, that's not what I meant. I guess YMMV.

EDIT: Okay, so it seems like it would be the crossing of the Yadkin in/near the county of the same name.

[mgk920]

The downtown Milwaukee skyline from the NB I-794 Hoan Bridge.

Also, Duluth, MN/Superior, WI from NB I-35 as one enters Duluth from the south.

Mike

[index]

I recall a jaw-dropping view on I-77 somewhere north of Statesville. I can't recall exactly where. It was where there were train tracks in the valley below.

I've been on that section a lot around Statesville, north and south of it, and it's not particularly remarkable from my experience. Just trees and not much else. There's no valleys of note until you get to the New River crossing in Virginia (although there's no railroad tracks crossing it). Maybe you're thinking of another location? The closest thing I can think of with a view that has a valley with railroad tracks heading north of Statesville is the New River Gorge Bridge, which is on US 19/Corridor L in West Virginia, not I-77. Although it does assume the straight-north direction that I-77 gives up heading for Charleston.

If you're referring to the New River, I actually had to take a look in person and not from the car I was riding in. So no, that's not what I meant. I guess YMMV.

EDIT: Okay, so it seems like it would be the crossing of the Yadkin in/near the county of the same name.

Huh. I've been over that crossing a lot and never really thought much of it.

[JayhawkCO]

I'll nominate this awesome view near VrÅ¡ič Pass in Slovenia.  I will be driving this road next summer ('22).  I would also add that if you're in the mood to drive a whole road on GSV, I highly recommend this one.



(Picture by Petar MiloÅ¡ević)

Chris

[webny99]

Also the view from the Lions Gate Bridge connecting Stanley Park and West Vancouver, BC (maybe not little-known, but certainly underrated).

[kphoger]

I-277 between Sonora and Del Rio (TX) has some great views.

[webny99]

I-277 between Sonora and Del Rio (TX) has some great views.

US 277?

[kevinb1994]

I recall a jaw-dropping view on I-77 somewhere north of Statesville. I can't recall exactly where. It was where there were train tracks in the valley below.

I've been on that section a lot around Statesville, north and south of it, and it's not particularly remarkable from my experience. Just trees and not much else. There's no valleys of note until you get to the New River crossing in Virginia (although there's no railroad tracks crossing it). Maybe you're thinking of another location? The closest thing I can think of with a view that has a valley with railroad tracks heading north of Statesville is the New River Gorge Bridge, which is on US 19/Corridor L in West Virginia, not I-77. Although it does assume the straight-north direction that I-77 gives up heading for Charleston.

If you're referring to the New River, I actually had to take a look in person and not from the car I was riding in. So no, that's not what I meant. I guess YMMV.

EDIT: Okay, so it seems like it would be the crossing of the Yadkin in/near the county of the same name.

Huh. I've been over that crossing a lot and never really thought much of it.

I may have also meant the I-77 crossing of the New River to the north of the crossing of the Yadkin River. The bridge over the New River does not, however, have train tracks underneath, but has a recreational trail underneath it instead.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Also, Duluth, MN/Superior, WI from NB I-35 as one enters Duluth from the south.

I-535 going northbound from WI to MN at night also isn't too bad with the city lights decking the hills, spread out up the lakeshore to your right

[kphoger]

I-277 between Sonora and Del Rio (TX) has some great views.

US 277?

Wow.  Just...  Wow.  How did I manage that?

[jmd41280]

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6069707,-80.7361353,3a,75y,351.31h,88.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_a4nM_tA_ZjocTbxba-4rQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D_a4nM_tA_ZjocTbxba-4rQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D254.58264%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

The view from I-77 in Virginia isn't talked about much.

From the top of that mountain, you can see Pilot Mountain in NC in the distance, and (if conditions are clear enough for great visibility) the Winston-Salem skyline peeking up from where Pilot Mountain is.

One of my favorites is this view on PA 31 westbound. Though Street View doesn't do it any justice, you can see the skyscrapers of Pittsburgh on the horizon (36 miles away as the crow flies). Here is a photo I took at that spot.


Pittsburgh skyline from Three Mile Hill - Acme, PA by Jon Dawson, on Flickr

[webny99]

I-277 between Sonora and Del Rio (TX) has some great views.

US 277?

Wow.  Just...  Wow.  How did I manage that?

It happens. That's what I'm here for. 

[OCGuy81]

I like US-26 eastbound as you approach downtown Portland.  You descend into a canyon, tree lined hills all around you, then there's the tunnel and BAM....the Portland skyline.

[webny99]

I like US-26 eastbound as you approach downtown Portland.  You descend into a canyon, tree lined hills all around you, then there's the tunnel and BAM....the Portland skyline.

Definitely on my bucket list if I ever get to the Portland area.