Max Patch

Highlights: mountain views, bald summit, Appalachian Trail Distance:  1.5 mile loop Elevation change:  288 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: NC State Route 1182 near Hot Springs NC. See link below for directions. The parking area is small with room for about 15 vehicles. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Wicked Weed Brewing Pernicious IPA […]

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Humpback Rocks

Highlights: mountain views, rocky summit, Appalachian Trail Distance:  3.8 out and back Elevation change:  1,120 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway mile 5.8 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Pro Re Nata Brewery, Crozet VA Hop Drone IPA & Tapped Out pilsner The Hike: This popular hike can be crowded

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Crabtree Falls (Virginia)

Highlights: Highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, classic Virginia bucket list hike  Distance: 4 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,070 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Crabtree Falls day use parking area, off state route 56 in Nelson county VA. $3 parking fee. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Blue Mountain Native Species pale

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Grassy Ridge Bald, Jane Bald, and Round Bald on the AT

Highlights: Three bald summits, spectacular views, blaze orange azaleas, Roan Highlands, Appalachian Trail Distance:  4.9 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,030 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Carver’s Gap at the NC/TN state line; Tennessee route 143 and North Carolina route 261 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Dankful IPA The

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The Great Channels

Highlights: amazing rock formations, slot-canyon rock maze, wildflowers  Distance:  6 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,280 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Hayter’s Gap, route 80 Saltville VA. Note the parking area is very small and has spaces for just 10 vehicles. Parking on route 80 is not permitted.  Website: Virginia Dept. of Forestry 

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Buzzard Rock via the Appalachian Trail

Highlights: mountain views, bald summit, Appalachian Trail Distance:  7.2 mile loop Elevation change:  1,270 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Elk Garden Trailhead parking on route 600/Whitetop Road near Troutville VA Website: AllTrails  Beer Pairings: 7 Dogs Brewpub-High Bridge pale ale & Scottish 80 The Hike: Even though this hike is over 7 miles and has

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Chestnut Knob

Highlights: Burke’s Garden, views, bald summit, Appalachian Trail Distance:  4.2 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,400 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: From Burke’s Garden General Store on route 623, continue south east for 1.1 miles. Turn left on route 727 and follow for 4 miles until the road becomes a one lane dirt

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Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, and Ivestor Gap Loop

Highlights: mountain views, bald summit, wild flowers in spring Distance:  4.6 mile loop Elevation change:  700 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Blue Ridge Parkway mile 420, turn right on Black Balsam Road/Forest Road 816 and drive 1.2 miles to the trailhead Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Green Man Brewery-Green Man IPA & Green

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Old Rag from Berry Hollow

Highlights: Classic hike, scramble, great views Distance: 9.4 mile loop or 5.4 mile out and back (without the scramble) Elevation change: 2,348 or 1,760 (without the scramble) Difficulty level: hard Website: Shenandoah National Park Parking: Trail map with parking options Beer pairings: Hopkins Ordinary-Innkeepers’ IPA and Second Breakfast Stout The Hike: This is one of

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RVA Pipeline, Capital Trail, and Canal Walk

Highlights: River views, Great Shiplock Park, Pipeline, Brown’s Island  Distance: 5.4 miles, out and back Elevation change: 143 feet Difficulty level: moderate Website: James River Parks Parking: Great Ship Lock Park, 2803 Dock St, Richmond, VA 23223  Beer pairings: Triple Crossing Brewery-Nelson Triangles IPA & Triple Crossing DDH Falcon Smash The Hike: Parking can often

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