AT: Bear’s Den to Raven Rocks

Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers, rock outcroppings Distance: 7 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,468 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Bear’s Den Trail Center 18393 Blueridge Mountain Rd. Bluemont, VA; $3 daily parking fee Website: Hiking Upward Beer Pairings: Bear Chase Brewing—Evenin’ Sunset IPA & Kodiak Kolsch and Dirt Farm Brewing—Hey Z […]

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Rocky Row on the AT

Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail, stream crossings, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 10.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 2,461 feet Difficulty level: Very strenuous Trailhead Parking: James River Footbridge/AT trail parking, route 501 near Snowden VA Website: Hiking Upward https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/bigrockyrow/ Beer Pairings: Camp Trapezium—New Day Lager & Lucky 46 IPA The Hike: This was a great

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Mount Pleasant Loop

Highlights: Great views, rocky summit, stream crossings, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 6.0 mile loop Elevation change: 1,270 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Wiggins Springs Road, route 755, becomes Hog Camp Gap Road (Fire Road 48). Continue past the first parking area at Hog Camp Gap for .25 miles. Bear right park near the trailhead kiosk,

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Cole Mountain Loop

Highlights: Appalachian Trail, bald summit, great views, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 6.1 mile loop Elevation change: 1,200 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Wiggins Springs Road (route 755) becomes Hog Camp Gap Road (Fire Road 48), parking at the AT crossing at Hog Camp Gap. For additional parking, continue past Hog Camp Gap for .25 miles

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Maryland Heights

Highlights: Appalachian Trail, Harpers Ferry historic district, great views Distance: 4.5 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,350 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Lower Town Information Center, Harpers Ferry WV, park fee required Website: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Beer Pairings: Smoketown Brewing—My Best Girl DIPA & Angler’s Mid Atlantic Steam IPA The Hike:

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Loudon Heights

Highlights: Appalachian Trail, historic district, great views, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 7.8 miles out and back Elevation change: 2,278 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Lower Town Information Center, Harpers Ferry WV, park fee required Website: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Beer Pairings: Harpers Ferry Brewing—Shenandoah Stout & Needles IPA The Hike: This hike begins with

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Billy Goat/C&O Canal Towpath Loop

Highlights: Waterfalls, rock scrambles, river views Distance: 4.9 mile loop Elevation change: 205 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Technical Trailhead Parking: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, Potomac MD, park fee required Website: C&O Canal National Historical Park Beer Pairings: Old Angler’s Inn—Sam Adams Boston Lager The Hike: The Virginia side of Great Falls has slightly better views,

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Great Falls Virginia Loop

Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, rock formations, wildlife, views Distance: 4.7 mile loop Elevation change: 383 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Great Falls Park Visitor Center, Dominion Drive, Great Falls VA; park fee required Website: Great Falls Park Beer Pairings: Lake Anne Brew House—Reston Red Ale & Live-Work-Play IPA The Hike: The Great Falls of the

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Riprap/Wildcat Ridge Loop

Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, stream crossings, Appalachian Trail, rock formations, wildlife, views, swimming hole Distance: 9.8 mile loop Elevation change: 2,365 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Riprap parking area, Skyline Drive mile 90, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Basic City Brewing—Our Daily Pils & Tropicos #008 IPA The Hike: This hike

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Brown’s Gap Falls Loop

Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, stream crossings, Appalachian Trail Distance: 6.7 mile loop Elevation change: 1,370 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Brown’s Gap parking area, Skyline Drive mile 83, park entrance fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park  Beer Pairings: Loft Mountain Wayside—White Oak Witbier & Limberlost Lager The Hike: This hike take you to three waterfalls

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