bird watching

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 […]

Ragged Mountain Loop Read More »

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

Great Dismal Swamp to Lake Drummond Read More »

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

Appomattox National Historical Park Loop Read More »

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

Rivanna River Trail Read More »

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

Bearfence Rock Scramble Read More »

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

South River Falls Loop Read More »

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

Rockfish River Trail Read More »

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

Yorktown Riverwalk Read More »

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

Dutch Gap Conservation Area Read More »

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

Fortune’s Cove Preserve Read More »