One of western Virginia's back-country byways, known as the Clover Hollow Loop, is not far from the I-81 corridor. Often described as a challenging bike route, this scenic drive follows Clover Hollow Road and Mountain Lake Road to a pair of covered bridge sites. Here, near the village of Newport, VA routes 42, 601 and 604 follow Sinking Creek, a stream named for its odd disappearing act.
   The Clover Hollow Bridge (located on Clover Hollow Road) was bypassed years ago, but remains in remarkable condition. One of three covered bridges (the C.K. Reynolds and Links Farm covered bridges are on private property) in Giles County, the 100 year old Clover Hollow Bridge (or Sinking Creek Bridge) is one of Virginia's remaining seven historic covered bridges.
   The 70 foot span, impossible to miss on Route 601, is only open to foot traffic. Its approaches are paved with gift-memorial bricks, an attractive way to display the names of contributors and their loved ones. The Newport Village Council continues to sell memorial pavers as a way to provide funds for bridge maintenance and repair. A small wayside park offers parking space for bridge visitors and a creek-side picnic table for a peaceful lunch.

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