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 […]
Rice Fields AT Shelter Read More »
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
Cascade Falls to Barney’s Wall Read More »
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,
Highlights: Appalachian Trail, amazing views, mountain laurel in June Distance: 3.7 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,210 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate (rocky surface, elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: Panorama parking area, Skyline Drive MP 31.5; park entrance fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Hawksbill Brewery—Hooray for Luray
Mary’s Rock AT North Read More »
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
Highlights: Views, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers Distance: 4.2 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,284 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with several rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate (elevation) Trailhead Parking: Punchbowl Mountain Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 51.7 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Heliotrope Brewery—Neahkahnie IPA & Quotidan Pils The Hike: Bluff Mountain is located on the
Highlights: Great views, rocky summit, rock scramble Distance: 3.3 miles out and back Elevation Change: 865 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate (rocky surface, rock scramble) Trailhead Parking: Wolf Gap Recreation Area, VA state route 675 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Woodstock Brewhouse—North Fork Golden Ale & Beckford Parish Pale Ale The Hike: This
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
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
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
