Trail Map: The Hike: This short, easy hike has an excellent rewards to effort ratio. The overlook is 3,000 feet above the Blackwater Canyon with expansive views. In early July, flowering mountain laurel and rhododendron line the trail. This is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset. Hike Photos: Beer Pairing: Blackwater Lodge is just […]
ala Trail and Falls Trail Map: The Hike: This park is best known for Blackwater Falls. Elakala Falls, conveniently located near the park lodge, offers an opportunity to visit the falls from above and below. The waterfall is the highlight of this hike—most people just hike to the falls. A footbridge leads over the falls
Trail Map: The Hike: We have received a few emails requesting shorter, easier hikes. This hike loops through a hardwood forest where interpretive signs tell how the forest changes and adapts throughout time. A footbridge leads to Turtle Island with some nice lake and mountain views. The trail returns back to the parking area. Directly
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Trail Map: The Hike: AllTrails lists this hike as a .3 mile out and back to a boardwalk and viewing platform. The viewing platform provides a lookout point over the preserve’s extensive salt marshes and the Chesapeake Bay. It’s a nice walk, but we recommend extending the hike by 1 mile to include the Dameron
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Trail Map: The Hike: This short, easy hike leads to a viewing platform overlooking Bush Mill Stream. The trail is well marked and well maintained. From the small parking area, follow the blue-blazed Deep Landing Trail as it gradually descends down to the stream. The preserve is rarely crowded, creating an ideal wildlife-watching experience. Several
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Trail Map: The Hike: This short, easy hike has nice river and meadow views. A variety of birds, butterflies, and wildflowers are frequently seen here throughout the year. A pavilion with restrooms in located near the entrance to the refuge. Please note pets are not allowed in the refuge. From the parking area, follow the
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Trail Map: The Hike: George Washington Birthplace National Monument comprises 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George was born in 1732. Several short trails can be combined into a longer hike. Visit the park visitor center and get a trail map. From the visitor center, we followed
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Trail Map: The Hike: The Nature Conservancy protects more than 9,000 acres on and around Warm Springs Mountain—their largest preserve in Virginia. This easy loop hike has panoramic views to the east and west. Interpretive signs highlight the mountain’s diversity of wildlife species and habitats in addition to TNC’s efforts to restore the region’s fire-adapted
Trail Map: The Hike: This hike combines several trails with numerous trail junctions. We recommend downloading the AllTrails map to help navigate this route. We crossed Route 252 and began our hike counterclockwise on the red-blazed Mount Joy Trail. The Mount Joy trail loops through the forest and makes a steady, gradual climb past Mount
Trail Map: The Hike: Natural Tunnel is one of the six original Virginia State Parks. The park’s trails and facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. This hike combines two of the park’s most popular (and short) hikes: Tunnel Trail and Lover’s Leap Trail. Both hikes begin and end near the
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