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 […]
Sulphur Springs Loop Read More »
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
Duncan Knob & Strickler Knob Read More »
Highlights: Great views, Massanutten Mountain Trail Distance: 5.2 miles out and back Elevation Change 791 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate (distance, elevation gain, rocky sections) Trailhead Parking: Edith’s Gap, state route 675; search Google maps for “Edith’s Gap launch area” Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Swover Creek Farm Brewery—Nut Brown Ale
Highlights: Waterfalls, Little Stony Creek Gorge, Barney’s Wall Cliff Views Distance: 8.8 miles loop Elevation Change: 1,650 feet Trail Surface: Rocky Difficulty Level: Strenuous (rocky surface, elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: Cascades Day Use Parking Area, route 623 in Pembroke VA; $3 parking fee required Website: AllTrails and Hiking Upward Beer Pairings: Moon Hollow Brewing Co.—Lunatic
Cascade Falls to Barney’s Wall Read More »
Highlights: Appalachian Trail, 2 great views Distance: 5.0 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,840 feet Trail Surface: Rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate/strenuous (rocky surface, elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: AT Trailhead, Cross Avenue, route 793 Pearisburg VA. From Blacksburg take US 460 west to route 100 south, right on Johnston Ave., first right on route 793,
Highlights: Waterfalls, mountain views Distance: 4.4 mile loop Elevation Change: 886 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with several rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate (elevation) Trailhead Parking: White Rock Gap parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 18.5 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Brewing Tree Brewing Co.—Chapter 2 IPA & Flip Flop Pils The Hike: Most people like
Highlights: Appalachian Trail shelter, Brown Mt. Creek, Pedlar Lake Distance: 10.3 miles miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,467 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with several rocky sections and stream crossings Difficulty Level: Strenuous (distance, elevation, multiple stream crossings) Trailhead Parking: Long Mountain Wayside, US route 60, 10 miles east of Buena Vista VA Website: AllTrails
Long Mountain to Pedlar Lake Read More »
Highlights: Great views, rocky summit, rock scramble Distance: 3.3 miles out and back Elevation Change: 865 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate (rocky surface, rock scramble) Trailhead Parking: Wolf Gap Recreation Area, VA state route 675 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Woodstock Brewhouse—North Fork Golden Ale & Beckford Parish Pale Ale The Hike: This
Highlights: Great views, mountain pond, Massanutten ridge, fire ant mounds Distance: 8.5 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,630 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Strenuous (rocky surface, distance, and elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: Wildflower Trailhead at the site of the former Massanutten Visitor Center, US route 211, 5 miles east of New Market
Highlights: Panoramic views Distance: 4.5 miles out and back Elevation Change: 978 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate/strenuous (rocky surface and steep climb for initial .7 miles) Trailhead Parking: Wolf Gap Recreation Area, VA state route 675 Website: US Forest Service and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Woodstock Brewhouse—Seven Bender Pale Ale & Massanutten Stout
