National Parks

Staunton River Trail to Bear Church Rock

Trail Map: The Hike: We first hiked to Bear Church Rock several years ago from Bootens Gap in Shenandoah National Park. This hike begins just outside the park in Graves Mill. The trail passes beside two rivers as it climbs to Bear Church Rock. This hike combines segments of several trails, so pay attention at […]

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Prince William Forest Park Loop

Highlights: Forest and creek views Distance: 7.4 mile loop Elevation Change: 682 feet Trail Surface: dirt with rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate/strenuous (distance) Trailhead Parking: Parking area A, B, or C, Scenic Drive, Prince William Forest Park, Triangle VA; park fee required Website: AllTrails and National Park Service Beer Pairings: 2 Silos Brewing Co.—Sir Alucard

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Bluff Mountain

Highlights: Views, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers Distance: 4.2 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,284 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with several rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate (elevation)  Trailhead Parking: Punchbowl Mountain Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 51.7 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Heliotrope Brewery—Neahkahnie IPA & Quotidan Pils The Hike: Bluff Mountain is located on the

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Big Devil Stairs

Highlights: AT shelter, mountain and gorge views Distance: 7.5 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,237 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Keyser Run parking area, Skyline Drive mile post 19.4, park entrance fee required Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Tap 29—Are We There Yet? IPA & Pit Stop Pilsner The Hike: Big Devil Stairs is

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Appomattox National Historical Park Loop

Highlights: Historic sites, monuments, Appomattox River Distance: 6.6 miles loop Elevation change: 426 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: Lee’s Headquarters parking area, route 24 Appomattox VA Website: National Park Service and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Loose Shoe Brewery—The Apprentice brown ale & Strait Up Amarillo IPA The Hike: We have been to Appomattox Court House

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Long Point, Fayetteville, and Timber Ridge Loop

Highlights: New River Gorge and Bridge views, Rhododendron forest Distance: 4.5 miles out and back Elevation change: 507 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: Long Point trailhead parking, Newton Road, Fayetteville WV Website: New River Gorge National Park Beer Pairings: Bridge Brew Works—New River IPA & Mountain Momma Pale Ale The Hike: New River Gorge

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Endless Wall

Highlights: New River Gorge, great views, rock formations Distance: 3.1 miles loop Elevation change: 384 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Lansing-Edmond Road (route 82), north of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. The Fern Creek Trailhead parking area has room for about 30 vehicles Website: New River Gorge National Park Beer Pairings: Freefolk Brewery—Fayetteville Fog

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Grandview Rim Trail

Highlights: New River Gorge, great views, rock formations Distance: 4.0 miles out and back Elevation change: 361 feet Difficulty level: Easy/moderate Trailhead Parking: Grandview Visitor Center, New River Gorge National Park, 4700 Grandview Road, Beaver, WV Website: New River Gorge National Park Beer Pairings: Weathered Ground Brewery—Jethro porter & Tallahatchie IPA The Hike: New River

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Rock Castle Gorge

Highlights: Great views, meadows, cascades, wildflowers, birdwatching, historic buildings Distance: 11.2 mile loop Elevation change: 2,226 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: CC Camp Lane route 605, Floyd VA; alternate trailhead Blue Ridge Parkway mile 168, Saddle Overlook parking area Website: Hiking Upward and Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service Beer Pairings: Buffalo Mountain Brewery—McDaniel’s

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Maryland Heights

Highlights: Appalachian Trail, Harpers Ferry historic district, great views Distance: 4.5 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,350 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Lower Town Information Center, Harpers Ferry WV, park fee required Website: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Beer Pairings: Smoketown Brewing—My Best Girl DIPA & Angler’s Mid Atlantic Steam IPA The Hike:

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