Whiteside Mountain

Highlights: Great views, rock cliffs, wildflowers Distance: 2 mile loop Elevation change: 550 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: State Route 1680 between Highlands and Cashiers, fee required  Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Highland Brewing—Gaelic Ale & Daycation IPA The Hike: This short hike has some great mountain views, geology, and history. From the […]

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Springer Mountain

Highlights: Hike-in lodge, wildflowers, AT southern terminus  Distance: 8.8 mile out and back Elevation change: 1,565 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Amicaola State Park, Top of Falls parking area, park entrance fee required  Website: Len Foote Hike Inn Beer Pairings: Terrapin Brewing—Hopsecutioner IPA & Golden Ale The Hike: There are several ways to reach

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Len Foote Hike Inn Trail

Highlights: Hike-in lodge, wildflowers, great views Distance: 4.9 miles one way Elevation change: 500 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Amicaola State Park, Top of Falls parking area, park entrance fee required  Website: Len Foote Hike Inn Beer Pairings: Sweetwater Brewing—420 Extra Pale Ale & IPA The Hike: The Len Foote Hike Inn has been

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Huckleberry Knob & Hooper Bald

Highlights: Bald mountains, wildflowers, great views Distance: 3.2 miles out and back Elevation change: 500 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Cherohala Skyway mile post 8, Huckleberry Knob parking is on the right (westbound) and Hooper Bald parking is on the left a bit further west  Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Nantahala Brewing—28779 Pale

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Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Highlights: Old growth forest, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 2 mile loop Elevation change: 370 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Joyce Kilmer Road Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Mountain Layers Brewery—Dragon Tamer IPA & Fontana Hoppiness The Hike: Many of the forests in western North Carolina were clearcut in the late

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Andrews Bald & Clingman’s Dome

Highlights: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, bald summits, great views, wildlife Distance: 4.8 miles, out and back Elevation change: 1,490 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Difficult Trailhead Parking: Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center parking area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Website: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Beer Pairings: Boojum Brewery—Graveyard Fields porter and Gem & Juice IPA The

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Hemphill Bald

Highlights: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, bald summits, great views, wildlife, history, birdwatching Distance: 9.7 miles, out and back Elevation change: 1,639 feet Difficulty level: Difficult Trailhead Parking: Purchase Knob trailhead, Hemphill Road/Purchase Road, Haywood County, NC; park at National Park gate. Website: Purchase Knob and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Frog Level Brewery—Dragonfly Session IPA &

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Walnut Creek Park Loop

Highlights: Lake views, wildlife, history, birdwatching Distance: 7.9 mile linked loops Elevation change: 541 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: 4250 Walnut Creek Park Road, North Garden, VA  Website: Walnut Creek Park Beer Pairings: James River Brewery—Tuber IPA & Hatton Ferry Pale Ale The Hike: Walnut Creek Park has much to offer. Boating, swimming, fishing,

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Newport News Park Loop

Highlights: Lee Hall Reservoir, Civil War earthworks, wildlife Distance: 4.7 mile loop Elevation change: 125 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Discovery Center Parking Area, 13560 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News VA Website: Newport News Park Beer Pairings: St. George Brewery—Porter & Golden Ale The Hike: Newport News Park is one of the largest municipal parks

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Knob Mountain-Jeremys Run

Highlights: Shenandoah National Park, wilderness, stream crossings Distance: 6.0 mile loop Elevation change: 1,100 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Elkwallow Wayside Parking Area, Skyline Drive mile 24 Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Bald Top Brewery—Springhouse Session IPA & Roasted Dry Irish Stout The Hike: Shenandoah National Park has many spectacular hikes. Most of

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