Trail Map: The Hike: The North Fork Mountain Trail (NFMT), Trail 501, is over 24 miles of great views as it passes along a ridge from US 33 at Harmon Rocks to Chimney Top. NFMT has been called the trail of relentless views, and it’s true. A short bushwhack to the west leads to impressive […]
North Fork Mountain Section Hike Read More »
Trail Map: The Hike: This is our third visit to Dolly Sods Wilderness. The unique ecosystem of Dolly Sods consists of rocky plains, upland bogs, heaths, and sweeping vistas. This area seems more like Canada than West Virginia. Dolly Sods is famous for great views, mud, and rocks. The trails are unmarked and downloading a trail
Dolly Sods: Lion’s Head Rocks Read More »
Trail Map: The Hike: This hike crosses the North River 9 times each way—and only one is traversed by a bridge.We hiked in early September and water levels were low so all river crossings were easy. We parked in the Wild Oak trailhead parking area on Forest Road 95. AllTrails and the US Forest Service
Trail Map: The Hike: There are many hikes named Chimney Rock. This one is in the George Washington National Forest, about 8 miles northeast of Warm Springs VA. Much of the trail is also known as the Tower Hill Mountain Trail. This little-known gem of a hike isn’t well marked or well maintained—but it’s worth
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Trail Map: The Hike: This hike packs in a lot in just under ten miles: a waterfalls, mountain views, two lakes, and a ridge line. We hiked over Labor Day weekend so the water levels in the falls were a bit low and peak foliage is still weeks away—but this was still a great hike.
Torry Ridge & Sherando Lake Loop Read More »
Trail Map: The Hike: This hike in the George Washington National Forest is a nice walk in the woods with some nice river views. The trail is marked and maintained; however, there are many interconnecting trails and some of the junctions were confusing. We suggest downloading the AllTrails map in advance as cell service in
Jackson River Gorge-Hidden Valley Loop Read More »
Trail Map: The Hike: This hike is an easy walk on the Appalachian Trail through mountaintop pastures, with scenic views of surrounding mountains. A half-mile section of the trail is ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible. The AT winds through several pasture areas before entering the forest at just under one mile. We were greeted at
AT: Cross Mountain & Osborne Farm Read More »
Trail Map: This is a nice walk in the woods on the AT with some decent mountain and lake views. The AT crosses over the Watauga Dam which spans the Watauga River Gorge. The AT enters the Shook Branch Recreation Area near the beach. Follow the AT northbound through a hardwood forest with several nice
Watauga Lake & Dam Read More »
Trail Map: The Hike: There are two hikes on the AT to Laurel Fork Falls—this is the shorter one. The other hike is a bit further north and follows the AT southbound for 2.5 miles. This hike follows the AT northbound. We planned three AT hikes on one day, so we got an early start.
Trail Map: The Hike: Last year we hiked to Big Bald on the AT and it was one of our favorite hikes of 2023. This hike on the AT approaches Big Bald from the north. We didn’t have time for the 13 mile out-and-back to Big Bald, so we squeezed in a shorter hike to
