Mountains

Wilburn Ridge via the AT

Highlights: wild ponies, wildflowers, wildlife, great views Distance:  4.0 mile loop Elevation change: 850 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Grayson Highland State Park, Massie Gap parking area; park fee required Website: Grayson Highland State Park Trail Guide Beer Pairings: Damascus Brewery-Preppy Harvard Boy IPA & Beaver Ridge IPA The Hike: This hike is a […]

Wilburn Ridge via the AT Read More »

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

Humpback Rocks Read More »

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

Crabtree Falls (Virginia) Read More »

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 

The Great Channels Read More »

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

Chestnut Knob Read More »

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

Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, and Ivestor Gap Loop Read More »

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

Old Rag from Berry Hollow Read More »