fall foliage

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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Apple Orchard Falls

Highlights: Waterfalls, rock formations, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 2.8 miles out and back Elevation change: 995 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: Sunset Fields parking area, milepost 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Peaks of Otter Lodge—Free Verse IPA & Gold Lager The Hike: Apple Orchard Falls is a popular

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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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Fallingwater Cascades

Highlights: Waterfall, rock formations, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 1.6 mile loop Elevation change: 410 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Flat Top parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 83.5 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Beale’s Brewery—Purple Mountain Pilsner & Red IPA The Hike: This short hike leads to a waterfall and series of cascades.

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Flat Top Mountain

Highlights: Mountain top views, large boulders, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 5.2 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,750 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Flat Top parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 83.5 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Beale’s Brewery—Purple Mountain Pilsner & Red IPA The Hike: The Peaks of Otteris a popular destination

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Devil’s Marbleyard

Highlights: Amazing rock scramble and great views Distance: 3.8 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,150 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: VA 781 (Petites Gap Road) small parking area at Belfast Trailhead, 4.5 miles south of Blue Ridge Parkway Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Great Valley Farm Brewery—IPA & Coffee Stout The Hike:

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Hogback Mountain Loop

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

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AT: Compton Peak & Fort Windham Rocks

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

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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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Rocky Row on the AT

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

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