Blue Ridge Parkway

Apple Orchard Falls & Cornelius Creek Loop

The Hike: We hiked to Apple Orchard Falls in the dry summer of 2021. The water level in the falls that year was just a trickle—but it was still a great hike. We wanted to go back when the water level was higher to see the 200’ falls in all of its glory.  Kathy is […]

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Humpback Mountain & Humpback Rocks

Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail Distance: 10.2 miles out and back Elevation Change 2,112 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with rocky sections Difficulty Level: Strenuous (distance, elevation gain, rocky sections) Trailhead Parking: Humpback Rocks Picnic Area parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 8.5 Website: National Park Service and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Blue Mountain Brewery—Bumper Crop IPA

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Thunder Ridge to Apple Orchard Mountain

Highlights: Great views, the Guillotine, Appalachian Trail Distance: 5.4 miles out and back Elevation Change: 948 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate (distance, rocky sections) Trailhead Parking: Thunder Ridge parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 74.7 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Loose Shoe Brewing Co.—Apprentice Brown Ale & Alpha Mare IPA The

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Dripping Rock to Cedar Cliffs AT

Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail Distance: 2.3 miles out and back Elevation Change: 245 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with rocky sections Difficulty Level: Easy (rocky sections) Trailhead Parking: Dripping Rock, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 9.6 Website: AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/dripping-rock-south-via-appalachian-trail Beer Pairings: Stable Craft Brewing—Shenny Doah Pilsner & Robot Cowboy Hazy IPA The Hike: This short hike

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Reeds Gap to Dripping Rock AT

Highlights: Great views, Cedar Cliffs, Appalachian Trail Distance: 9.6 miles out and back Elevation Change: 831 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate/strenuous (distance, rocky sections) Trailhead Parking: Reeds Gap, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 13.7 Website: Virginia Trail Guide Beer Pairings: Skipping Rock Beer Co.—Roasted Pecan Brown Ale & Bru-1 IPA The

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White Rock Falls

Highlights: Waterfalls, mountain views Distance: 4.4 mile loop Elevation Change: 886 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with several rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate (elevation)  Trailhead Parking: White Rock Gap parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 18.5 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Brewing Tree Brewing Co.—Chapter 2 IPA & Flip Flop Pils The Hike: Most people like

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Dobie Mountain & Jack Albright Loop

Highlights: AT shelter,streams, mountain views Distance: 6.7 mile loop Elevation change: 1,301 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Humpback Rocks Parking Area, Blue Ridge Parkway, mile post 6 Website: National Park Service and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Basic City 6th Lord IPA & Brother’s Skyline Falls IPA The Hike: This hike begins at the Humpback Rocks

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Rock Castle Gorge

Highlights: Great views, meadows, cascades, wildflowers, birdwatching, historic buildings Distance: 11.2 mile loop Elevation change: 2,226 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: CC Camp Lane route 605, Floyd VA; alternate trailhead Blue Ridge Parkway mile 168, Saddle Overlook parking area Website: Hiking Upward and Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service Beer Pairings: Buffalo Mountain Brewery—McDaniel’s

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Three Ridges: Reeds Gap to Tye River

Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers, stream crossings Distance: 10.8 miles one way Elevation change: 2,231 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Reeds (Reids) Gap, Beech Grove Road, route 664 and Blue Ridge Parkway Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Wild Wolf Brewery—Nelsonite Brown Ale & Notorious H.O.P. IPA The Hike: Several of our friends have hiked

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Apple Orchard Falls

Highlights: Waterfalls, rock formations, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 2.8 miles out and back Elevation change: 995 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: Sunset Fields parking area, milepost 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Peaks of Otter Lodge—Free Verse IPA & Gold Lager The Hike: Apple Orchard Falls is a popular

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