Distance

AT: Compton Peak & Fort Windham Rocks

1 Comment / Appalachian Trail, Long > 6 Miles, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia / / / , , , , , ,

Highlights: Nice views, unique geology, rock scrambles, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 6.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,281 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Jenkins Gap parking area, Skyline Drive mile 12.4, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Compton Peak and Fort Windham Rocks  Beer Pairings: Front Royal Brewing Co.—Park Pass Helles […]

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AT: Bear’s Den to Raven Rocks

Appalachian Trail, Long > 6 Miles, Virginia / / / , , , ,

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

Appalachian Trail, Long > 6 Miles, Mountains, River, Virginia / / / , , ,

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

Dog Friendly, Long > 6 Miles, Mountains, National Forest, Virginia / / / , , , ,

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

Appalachian Trail, Bald Mountain, Dog Friendly, Favorite, Long > 6 Miles, Mountains, National Forest, Virginia / / / , , , ,

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

Appalachian Trail, Kid Friendly, Medium 3-6 Miles, Mountains, National Parks, River / / / , , , ,

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

Appalachian Trail, Dog Friendly, Long > 6 Miles, Mountains, National Parks, River / / / , , , , ,

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

1 Comment / Favorite, Medium 3-6 Miles, National Parks, River, Urban, Waterfall / / / , ,

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

Dog Friendly, Medium 3-6 Miles, National Parks, River, Urban, Virginia, Waterfall / / / , , , , , ,

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

Appalachian Trail, Dog Friendly, Favorite, Long > 6 Miles, Mountains, River, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, Waterfall / / / , , , , , ,

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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