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Highway 130: Natural Bridge to Big Island, James River Gorge, Virginia
Photo: Nyttend · Public domain

Drives Virginia Roanoke and Southwest Virginia

Highway 130: Natural Bridge to Big Island

VA 130, US 501, Wert Faulkner Highway · Natural Bridge → Big Island

Sweeping14.5 mi25 min1,400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,200 ftOne way
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The drive

VA 130 starts at Natural Bridge and heads east as the two-lane Wert Faulkner Highway through Glasgow, then crosses the Maury River. East of the river it joins US 501, which follows the Maury River to the James River and runs east through the James River Gorge in the Blue Ridge.

The drive ends at Big Island on the Blue Ridge Parkway side. It is about 14 miles of tree-lined bends and gorge walls.

Big Island is on US 501, south of where the concurrency begins.

Along the way

  1. Natural Bridge
  2. Big Island (Blue Ridge Parkway side)
Elevation
1,400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,200 ft
Natural BridgeBig Island
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
Natural BridgeBig Island
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Trucks use US 501 through the gorge.
  • Check VDOT 511 for current conditions.
  • The Blue Ridge Parkway has its own closures; check the NPS.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Virginia 511 (VDOT).

Questions about this drive

How long is VA 130 from Natural Bridge to Big Island?

It is 14.5 miles and takes about 24 minutes.

Which roads does this drive use?

VA 130 from Natural Bridge to Glasgow, then US 501 along the river to Big Island.

Does it connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Yes. The drive ends on the Blue Ridge Parkway side of Big Island.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 130: Natural Bridge to Big Island, from Natural Bridge to Big Island