The Hike: Machicomoco is one of Virginia’s newest State Parks. This small park (645 acres) is home to diverse wildlife habitats, from open fields to woodlands and waterfront/marsh areas. The park is still a bit of a work in progress as more trails and facilities are planned. The park currently has three hiking trails. Our […]
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The Hike: Full disclosure: this “hike” is really a walk. Much of the surface is a paved road. This was our first hike with our grandson Joshua. Josh was six-months old and in a stroller so a paved surface was ideal in our situation. The road does have vehicle traffic with a 15 PMH speed
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The Hike: Hightop Mountain (3,587’) is the highest peak in Shenandoah’s South District. The summit can be reached either from the south or the north via the Appalachian Trail. The most popular climb to Hightop Summit is a 3-mile out and back hike which scales the northern side of the mountain. From the Hightop Parking
The Hike: From the trailhead on Petites Gap Road, we elected to hike counterclockwise leaving the 2.8 mile section of gravel road for the end. From the parking area, follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail northbound. The climb begins immediately and the trail gains nearly 700’ in elevation over the first mile. We hiked in early
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The Hike: This short hike has some great payoffs. Trailhead parking is 2 miles on the right after the Broadway Road (route 640) intersection with route 720. Broadway Road is a gravel, narrow, country road that winds through the Big Survey WMA. There are two small parking areas here. The trailhead is at the rear
The Hike: Fairy Stone State Park is one of the original Virginia State Parks from 1936. Stop by the visitor center to pick up a trail map and to learn more about fairy stones. This hike combines several shorter trails so there are numerous junctions. All the trail junctions have signs and the trails are
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The Hike: Most hikers reach the summit of Virginia’s highest peak by way of Grayson Highlands State Park. The hike from Massie Gap to Mount Rogers is very popular and the scenery and wild ponies are not to be missed. This hike from Elk Garden approaches Mount Rogers on the AT from the south and
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The Hike: This hike on the Appalachian Trail has great views of Carvins Cove Reservoir and and Hay Rock. The trail is well marked and well maintained thanks to the volunteers with the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club. A short .2 mile unmarked trail leads from the parking area to the AT. This trail is located
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Highlights: Great views, Tuscarora Trail Distance: 2.2 miles out and back Elevation Change 489 feet Trail Surface: Mostly dirt with a few rocky sections Difficulty Level: Easy/Moderate (some rocky sections) Trailhead Parking: Eagle Rock Trailhead parking area at the VA/WV state line, Capon Springs Grade, search Google Maps for “Tuscarora Trail Eagle Rock Trailhead” Website:
Highlights: Great views, two great rock scrambles, Massanutten Mountain Distance: 9.3 miles out and back Elevation Change 1,860 feet Trail Surface: Rocky with a few dirt sections Difficulty Level: Strenuous (distance, elevation gain, extremely rocky sections) Trailhead Parking: Gap Creek Trailhead, Crisman Hollow Road (FR 274) search Google Maps for “Gap Creek Trailhead”. Note: Crisman
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