rocky summit

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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Mary’s Rock AT North

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

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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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Tibbet Knob

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

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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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Buffalo Mountain Preserve

Highlights: Great views, rare plants, wildlife Distance: 2.2 miles out and back Elevation change: 560 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: State route 727 near Union VA. The small parking area accommodates about 10 vehicles Website: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Beer Pairings: Buffalo Mountain Brewery—McDaniel’s Scotch Ale & Copperhead IPA The Hike: Buffalo

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Bearfence Rock Scramble

Highlights: Fantastic views, rock scramble, Appalachian Trail Distance: 1.1 mile loop Elevation change: 217 feet Difficulty level: Moderate with rock scramble, easy without the scramble Trailhead Parking: Skyline Drive Bearfence Trailhead parking area mile 56.4, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Octonia Stone Brew Works—Rokuhnite Me Amadeus lager & Worth One’s Basalt

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Crabtree Falls to The Priest

Highlights: Views, wildflowers, wildlife, waterfalls, Appalachian Trail Distance: 10.5 miles out and back Elevation change: 2,570 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Crabtree Falls Trailhead parking area, Route 56, Tyro VA, $3 parking fee Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Blue Mountain Barrel House—Red Zeppelin Red IPA & Classic Lager The Hike: The Priest is a famous

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