history

Thornton River Loop

Highlights: Appalachian Trail, stream crossings, wildflowers, history Distance: 7.8 miles loop Elevation change: 1,780 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Skyline Drive Thornton River Trailhead parking area mile 25.4, park fee required Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Iron Pipe Aleworks—Shapeshifter IPA & Gandalf the Haze IPA  The Hike: This hike doesn’t have amazing views or spectacular […]

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Rock Castle Gorge

Highlights: Great views, meadows, cascades, wildflowers, birdwatching, historic buildings Distance: 11.2 mile loop Elevation change: 2,226 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: CC Camp Lane route 605, Floyd VA; alternate trailhead Blue Ridge Parkway mile 168, Saddle Overlook parking area Website: Hiking Upward and Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service Beer Pairings: Buffalo Mountain Brewery—McDaniel’s

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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

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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

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York River State Park

Highlights: River and marsh views, birdwatching, wildflowers Distance: 6.7 miles out and back Elevation change: 257 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: York River State Park Visitor Center, 9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA park fee required  Website: York River State Park Beer Pairings: Talleysville Brewing Co.—Broken Post Pilsner & Pinch Point APA The

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Windsor Castle Park

Highlights: Historic buildings, wildlife, birdwatching, creek and marsh views Distance: 4.1 miles loop Elevation change: 64 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Dan Smith Drive parking area, Smithfield VA Website: Windsor Castle Park Beer Pairings: Wharf Hill Brewing—Holy Brale brown ale & Outage IPA The Hike: Windsor Castle Farm in Smithfield was originally part of

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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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Blue Ridge Tunnel

Highlights: Historic railroad tunnel Distance: 4.6 miles out and back Elevation change: 456 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: East Trailhead 215 Afton Depot Lane, Afton VA Website: Nelson County Beer Pairings: Wild Man Dan Brewery—Rye She Knows IPA & BoHo Slipper Pilsner The Hike: This easy hike follows the path of a historic railroad

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Rapidan Camp Loop

Highlights: President Hoover’s fishing camp, waterfalls, Appalachian Trail Distance: 7.4 mile loop Elevation change: 1,300 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Milam Gap parking area, Skyline Drive mile post 52.8 Website: Shenandoah National Park  Beer Pairings: Basic City Brewing—Big Meadows IPA & Bearfence DIPA The Hike: This hike has a lot to like: history, scenery,

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Hemphill Bald

Highlights: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, bald summits, great views, wildlife, history, birdwatching Distance: 9.7 miles, out and back Elevation change: 1,639 feet Difficulty level: Difficult Trailhead Parking: Purchase Knob trailhead, Hemphill Road/Purchase Road, Haywood County, NC; park at National Park gate. Website: Purchase Knob and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Frog Level Brewery—Dragonfly Session IPA &

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