bird watching

Yorktown Riverwalk

Highlights: River views, birdwatching, historic buildings Distance: 3 miles out and back Elevation change: 97 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Yorktown Battlefield Vistor Center, 1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown Website: Visit Yorktown Beer Pairings: That Damn Mary Brewing Co.—Proud Mary IPA & Funkedcluster IPA The Hike: This easy hike is more of a walk with […]

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Dutch Gap Conservation Area

Highlights: River and lagoon views, birdwatching, wildlife, wildflowers Distance: 5 mile loop Elevation change: 30 feet Difficulty level: Easy/moderate Trailhead Parking: Citie of Henricus parking area,  341 Henricus Park Road, Chester VA Website: Chesterfield County Beer Pairings: Molly’s Blind Dog Brewery—Charlie’s Brown Ale & Train Wreck IPA The Hike: Dutch Gap is a nearly 800

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Fortune’s Cove Preserve

Highlights: Mountain views, wildlife, wildflowers, stream crossings Distance: 3.7 miles loop Elevation change: 790 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: Route 651, Fortune’s Cove Lane, Lovingston VA Website: Fortune’s Cove Preserve  Beer Pairings: Wood Ridge Farm Brewery—Hop Notch IPA & Mr. Brown Stout The Hike: Fortune’s Cove is a hidden gem located about 40 miles

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York River State Park

Highlights: River and marsh views, birdwatching, wildflowers Distance: 6.7 miles out and back Elevation change: 257 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: York River State Park Visitor Center, 9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA park fee required  Website: York River State Park Beer Pairings: Talleysville Brewing Co.—Broken Post Pilsner & Pinch Point APA The

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AT: Pinnacle to Mary’s Rock

Highlights: Views, wildlife, Byrd’s Nest #3, Pinnacle summit, birdwatching, wildflowers Distance: 7.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,370 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Pinnacles Picnic area, Skyline Drive mile 36.7, park fee required  Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Old Trade Brewing—Mitch is Bitter ESB & Foggy Morning IPA The Hike: There are several ways

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Mary’s Rock

Highlights: Views, wildlife, birdwatching, Appalachian Trail Distance: 2.9 miles out and back Elevation change: 830 feet Difficulty level: Easy/moderate Trailhead Parking: Meadow Spring parking area, Skyline Drive mile 33.5, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Hopkins Ordinary Ale Works—End of the Trail Pale Ale & Sperryville VeryChill Kölsch The Hike: There are

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AT: Beagle Gap to Calf Mountain Shelter

Highlights: Meadows, views, wildlife, birdwatching, wildflowers, AT shelter Distance: 4.9 miles out and back Elevation change: 821 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Beagle Gap parking area, Skyline Drive mile 99.5, park fee required Website: Hiking Upward Beer Pairings: Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie—Skipping Rock Kolsch & Blue Mountain Full Nelson The Hike: This hike follows

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Windsor Castle Park

Highlights: Historic buildings, wildlife, birdwatching, creek and marsh views Distance: 4.1 miles loop Elevation change: 64 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Dan Smith Drive parking area, Smithfield VA Website: Windsor Castle Park Beer Pairings: Wharf Hill Brewing—Holy Brale brown ale & Outage IPA The Hike: Windsor Castle Farm in Smithfield was originally part of

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Harkening Hill & Johnson Farm Loop

Highlights: Historic farm, views, rock formations, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 4.3 mile loop Elevation change: 905 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Peaks of Otter Visitor Center parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 86 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Apocalypse Ale Works—Enticer Session IPA & D-Stroy IPA The Hike: First of all, Harkening Hill

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AT: Bear’s Den to Raven Rocks

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

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