bird watching

Texas Beach

Highlights: James River, bird watching Distance: 3.6 miles out and back Elevation change: 128 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: North Bank Park, 1941 Texas Ave., Richmond VA Website: James River Park and AllTrails  Beer Pairings: Strangeways Brewing, Scott’s Addition—Zappa On Strat IPA & Less Than Zero IPA The Hike: Texas Beach is a popular […]

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Hughlett Point Preserve

Highlights: Chesapeake Bay views, bird watching Distance: 3.2 mile loop Elevation change: 23 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Route 605, Kilmarnock VA, the small parking area accommodates 11 vehicles Website: Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Beer Pairings: Kilmarnock Brewhaus—Grier’s Gaire Pilsner & Edelweiss IPA The Hike: Located on Virginia’s Northern Neck, Hughlett Point

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Rappahannock River

Rappahannock River Heritage Trail & Canal Path Loop

Highlights: River views, wetlands, history Distance: 3.1 mile loop Elevation change: 90 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Old Mill Park, 2201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg VA Website: City of Fredericksburg Beer Pairings: Red Dragon Brewery—Yorkshire Brown Ale & Rose of Sharon Welsh Ale The Hike: We have had several requests for shorter hikes closer to

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Ragged Mountain Loop

Highlights: Lake views, wooden statues, wildflowers Distance: 6.8 miles loop Elevation change: 1,045 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Ragged Mountain Natural Area, 1770 Reservoir Road, Charlottesville Website: Charlottesville Parks & Recreation Beer Pairings: Rockfish Brewery—English Brown Ale & New England IPA The Hike: The Ragged Mountain Natural Area is a 980-acre forest located in

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Great Dismal Swamp to Lake Drummond

Highlights: Historic site, Lake Drummond, Great Dismal Swamp Distance: 9.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 42 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: Washington Ditch entrance – 3076 White Marsh Road, Suffolk, VA. Follow the gravel road past the entry gate for one mile to the parking area Website: US Fish & Wildlife Service Beer

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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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Rivanna River Trail

Highlights: Historic Woolen Mills, Riverview Park, Rivanna River Distance: 4.2 miles out and back Elevation change: 170 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Wool Factory, 1837 Broadway St., Charlottesville, VA Website: Rivanna Trails Beer Pairings: Selvedge Brewing Co.—Britches Get Stitches IPA & Flannel Stout The Hike: The Rivanna Trail is a 20-mile network of multi-use

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Bearfence Rock Scramble

Highlights: Fantastic views, rock scramble, Appalachian Trail Distance: 1.1 mile loop Elevation change: 217 feet Difficulty level: Moderate with rock scramble, easy without the scramble Trailhead Parking: Skyline Drive Bearfence Trailhead parking area mile 56.4, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Octonia Stone Brew Works—Rokuhnite Me Amadeus lager & Worth One’s Basalt

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South River Falls Loop

Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, Appalachian Trail Distance: 4.9 mile loop Elevation change: 1,081 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Skyline Drive South River Picnic Area mile post 63, park fee required. Park near the rest rooms at the far end of the picnic grounds. Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Patch Brewing Co.—Home Field Advantage porter

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Rockfish River Trail

Highlights: Views, wildflowers, bird watching, Rockfish River Distance: 2.6 miles out and back Elevation change: 120 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Rockfish Valley Trail Trailhead parking area, Route 151, Nellysford VA Website: AllTrails and Rockfish Valley Trail System Beer Pairings: Brewing Tree Beer Co.—Chapter 2 IPA & Flip Flop Pilsner The Hike: This easy

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