history

Stone Mountain Loop

Trail Map: The Hike: This hike checks all the boxes: waterfall, great views, rocky summit, historic homestead, wildflowers. If you only have time for one hike, make it this one. Yes, there are a lot of steps. We didn’t count them, but there are several hundred steps. We hiked the loop clockwise visiting the water […]

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Inn to Inn Hike in Shenandoah NP

The Appalachian Trail passes through 105 miles of Shenandoah National Park. The park offers a variety of lodging options clustered within 35 miles. With a little advance planning it is possible to hike this 35 mile section of the AT, sleep in a warm bed each night, and enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the

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Shenandoah Inn to Inn: Day 1

Trail Map: The Hike: The first day of our inn to inn hike on the AT in Shenandoah National Park begins at Swift Run Gap and US Route 33. See the logistics post for details on shuttle services and vehicle parking. The AT crosses US 33 on Skyline Drive and then veers into the forest

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AT: Audie Murphy Monument

Trail Map: The Hike: This hike on the Appalachian Trail to the Audie Murphy Monument approaches from the north. The monument can also be reached on the AT from the south. Both routes are about 8 miles with similar elevation gains. Hiking southbound on the AT has a longer section on the ridge. From the

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Turtle Island Loop

Trail Map: The Hike: We have received a few emails requesting shorter, easier hikes. This hike loops through a hardwood forest where interpretive signs tell how the forest changes and adapts throughout time. A footbridge leads to Turtle Island with some nice lake and mountain views. The trail returns back to the parking area. Directly

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Laurel Point Trail

Trail Map: The Hike: Westmoreland is one of the original Virginia state parks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is a great location for birdwatching. Bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, great blue herons, common terns, and green herons are frequently spotted in the park. The Laurel Point Trail is well

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George Washington Birthplace Loop

Trail Map: The Hike: George Washington Birthplace National Monument comprises 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George was born in 1732. Several short trails can be combined into a longer hike. Visit the park visitor center and get a trail map. From the visitor center, we followed

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Hanging Rock, Wolf Rock, and Cook’s Wall Loop

Trail Map: The Hike: This was our first visit to Hanging Rock State Park and we are already planning to return. We hiked on a cloudy day and some of the views were partially covered with clouds. Hanging Rock is famous for waterfalls and amazing views. The park has five vistas and this hike visits

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