fall foliage

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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Rice Fields AT Shelter

Highlights: Mountain meadow, AT shelter, great views Distance: 5.2 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,259 feet Trail Surface: Rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate (rocky surface, elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: From Blacksburg US 460 west, turn left on Route 641, in 1.5 miles turn left on to Pocahontas Road. In 150 yards reach the AT crossing

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Cascade Falls to Barney’s Wall

Highlights: Waterfalls, Little Stony Creek Gorge, Barney’s Wall Cliff Views Distance: 8.8 miles loop Elevation Change: 1,650 feet Trail Surface: Rocky Difficulty Level: Strenuous (rocky surface, elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: Cascades Day Use Parking Area, route 623 in Pembroke VA; $3 parking fee required Website: AllTrails and Hiking Upward Beer Pairings: Moon Hollow Brewing Co.—Lunatic

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Cascade Falls Loop

Highlights: Waterfalls, Little Stony Creek Gorge Distance: 4.0 mile loop Elevation Change: 700 feet Trail Surface: Rocky Difficulty Level: Easy/moderate (rocky surface, elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: Cascades Day Use Parking Area, route 623 in Pembroke VA; $3 parking fee required Website: AllTrails and US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Eastern Divide Brewing Co.—Czech Pilsner & Cliffhanger

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Angel’s Rest

Highlights: Appalachian Trail, 2 great views Distance: 5.0 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,840 feet Trail Surface: Rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate/strenuous (rocky surface, elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: AT Trailhead, Cross Avenue, route 793 Pearisburg VA. From Blacksburg take US 460 west to route 100 south, right on Johnston Ave., first right on route 793,

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Old Rag Circuit

Highlights: Rock scramble, amazing views Distance: 9.4 mile loop Elevation Change: 2,348 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Very strenuous (rock scramble, distance, elevation)  Trailhead Parking: Old Rag parking area, route 600/Nethers Road off route 231 south of Sperryville; park entrance fee required, hike tickets required, see below Website: Shenandoah National Park and AllTrails

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Long Mountain to Pedlar Lake

Highlights: Appalachian Trail shelter, Brown Mt. Creek, Pedlar Lake Distance: 10.3 miles miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,467 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with several rocky sections and stream crossings Difficulty Level: Strenuous (distance, elevation, multiple stream crossings)  Trailhead Parking: Long Mountain Wayside, US route 60, 10 miles east of Buena Vista VA  Website: AllTrails

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Buzzard Rock

Highlights: Great views, rocky summit Distance: 4 miles out and back Elevation Change: 631 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Easy/moderate (rocky surface)  Trailhead Parking: Buzzard Rock Trailhead, 3094 Mountain Road, route 619, Lake Frederick VA Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: PaveMint Smokin’ Taphouse—Lionshead Pilsner & Hazy Tides IPA The Hike: Buzzard Rock is located

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Emerald Pond

Highlights: Great views, mountain pond, Massanutten ridge, fire ant mounds Distance: 8.5 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,630 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Strenuous (rocky surface, distance, and elevation gain)  Trailhead Parking: Wildflower Trailhead at the site of the former Massanutten Visitor Center, US route 211, 5 miles east of New Market

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Big Schloss

Highlights: Panoramic views Distance: 4.5 miles out and back Elevation Change: 978 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate/strenuous (rocky surface and steep climb for initial .7 miles)  Trailhead Parking: Wolf Gap Recreation Area, VA state route 675 Website: US Forest Service and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Woodstock Brewhouse—Seven Bender Pale Ale & Massanutten Stout

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