Highlights: Nice views, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers, wildlife, fall foliage Distance: 7.1 mile loop Elevation change: 1,123 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Piney River parking area, Skyline Drive mile 22.3, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Pen Druid Brewing Co.—Golden Swan Wild Ale & Arkansas Black Sparkling Cider The Hike: We cobbled […]
Hogback Mountain Loop Read More »
Highlights: Nice views, unique geology, rock scrambles, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 6.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,281 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Jenkins Gap parking area, Skyline Drive mile 12.4, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Compton Peak and Fort Windham Rocks Beer Pairings: Front Royal Brewing Co.—Park Pass Helles
AT: Compton Peak & Fort Windham Rocks Read More »
Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers, rock outcroppings Distance: 7 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,468 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Bear’s Den Trail Center 18393 Blueridge Mountain Rd. Bluemont, VA; $3 daily parking fee Website: Hiking Upward Beer Pairings: Bear Chase Brewing—Evenin’ Sunset IPA & Kodiak Kolsch and Dirt Farm Brewing—Hey Z
AT: Bear’s Den to Raven Rocks Read More »
Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail, stream crossings, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 10.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 2,461 feet Difficulty level: Very strenuous Trailhead Parking: James River Footbridge/AT trail parking, route 501 near Snowden VA Website: Hiking Upward https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/bigrockyrow/ Beer Pairings: Camp Trapezium—New Day Lager & Lucky 46 IPA The Hike: This was a great
Rocky Row on the AT Read More »
Highlights: Great views, rocky summit, stream crossings, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 6.0 mile loop Elevation change: 1,270 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Wiggins Springs Road, route 755, becomes Hog Camp Gap Road (Fire Road 48). Continue past the first parking area at Hog Camp Gap for .25 miles. Bear right park near the trailhead kiosk,
Mount Pleasant Loop Read More »
Highlights: Appalachian Trail, bald summit, great views, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 6.1 mile loop Elevation change: 1,200 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Wiggins Springs Road (route 755) becomes Hog Camp Gap Road (Fire Road 48), parking at the AT crossing at Hog Camp Gap. For additional parking, continue past Hog Camp Gap for .25 miles
Cole Mountain Loop Read More »
Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, rock formations, wildlife, views Distance: 4.7 mile loop Elevation change: 383 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Great Falls Park Visitor Center, Dominion Drive, Great Falls VA; park fee required Website: Great Falls Park Beer Pairings: Lake Anne Brew House—Reston Red Ale & Live-Work-Play IPA The Hike: The Great Falls of the
Great Falls Virginia Loop Read More »
Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, stream crossings, Appalachian Trail, rock formations, wildlife, views, swimming hole Distance: 9.8 mile loop Elevation change: 2,365 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Riprap parking area, Skyline Drive mile 90, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Basic City Brewing—Our Daily Pils & Tropicos #008 IPA The Hike: This hike
Riprap/Wildcat Ridge Loop Read More »
Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, stream crossings, Appalachian Trail Distance: 6.7 mile loop Elevation change: 1,370 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Brown’s Gap parking area, Skyline Drive mile 83, park entrance fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Loft Mountain Wayside—White Oak Witbier & Limberlost Lager The Hike: This hike take you to three waterfalls
Brown’s Gap Falls Loop Read More »
Highlights: views, meadows, historic area, Appalachian Trail Distance: 7.3 mile loop Elevation change: 1,254 Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Visitor center parking area on state route 710, entrance fee required Website: Sky Meadows State Park Beer Pairings: Old Bust Head Brewing—Graffiti House IPA & Bust Head English-style Ale The Hike: Sky Meadows State Park has
