rocky summit

AT: Compton Peak & Fort Windham Rocks

1 Comment / Appalachian Trail, Long > 6 Miles, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia / / / , , , , , ,

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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Mount Pleasant Loop

Dog Friendly, Long > 6 Miles, Mountains, National Forest, Virginia / / / , , , ,

Highlights: Great views, rocky summit, stream crossings, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 6.0 mile loop Elevation change: 1,270 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Wiggins Springs Road, route 755, becomes Hog Camp Gap Road (Fire Road 48). Continue past the first parking area at Hog Camp Gap for .25 miles. Bear right park near the trailhead kiosk,

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Sintra Palace and Castle Loop

Favorite, Mountains, National Parks, Short < 3 Miles / / / , , , , , , , , ,

Highlights: views, Pena Palace, Villa Sassetti, and Moorish castle Distance: 2.6 mile loop Elevation change: 1,025’ Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Sintra Portugal, Estrada de Pena near the Moorish Fountain Website: Sintra Parks Beer Pairings: Lord Byron Pub—Super Bock & Sagres The Hike: For our European friends (and others lucky enough to visit Portugal) this

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John Rock Loop

Medium 3-6 Miles, Mountains, National Forest, North Carolina, River / / / , , ,

Highlights: Sweeping vistas from granite summit, wildflowers Distance: 5.6 mile out-and-back Elevation change: 1,100 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: From US 276 turn onto FS Road 475, turn left at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education; trail head at end of parking lot on the left. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Ecusta Brewing

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Looking Glass Rock

Long > 6 Miles, Mountains, National Forest, North Carolina / / / , , ,

Highlights: Great views, granite summit, wildflowers Distance: 6.2 mile out-and-back Elevation change: 1,700 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: From US 276 turn onto FS Road 475, signed for the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education; trailhead parking is 1/2 mile on the right. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Oskar Blues Brewery—Can-O-Bliss Resinous IPA &

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Furnace Mountain & Blackrock Summit

Appalachian Trail, Long > 6 Miles, Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia / / / , , , , ,

Highlights: Great views, rocky summit, Shenandoah National Park Distance: 6.8 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,369 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Blackrock Summit parking area, Skyline Drive mile 84.4 Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Trapezium Brewery—Lucky 46 IPA & Lucky 25 American Brown The Hike: This hike packs in some great scenery

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Turk Mountain

Dog Friendly, Kid Friendly, Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, Short < 3 Miles, Virginia / / / , , ,

Highlights: Views, wildlife, Shenandoah National Park Distance:  2.2 mile out and back Elevation change: 690 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Turk Gap Parking Area, Skyline Drive mile 94.1 Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Wild Wolf Brewery, Primal Instinct IPA & Nelsonite brown ale The Hike: This is a fun, easy hike with great

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Stony Man/Passamaquoddy Loop

Appalachian Trail, Favorite, Kid Friendly, Medium 3-6 Miles, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia / / / , , , ,

Highlights: Great views, mountains, Shenandoah National Park, Appalachian Trail Distance:  3.4 mile loop  Elevation change: 850 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Skyline Drive, mile 41.7, Stony Man parking area Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Basic City Beer Company 6th Lord IPA The Hike: This is a fun hike with some great views. The

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Spy Rock

Appalachian Trail, Medium 3-6 Miles, Mountains, National Forest, Virginia / / / , , , ,

Highlights: Rocky summit, panoramic views, fall foliage, Appalachian Trail Distance:  5.8 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,200 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: State Route 828 (Meadows Lane) near Tyro, Virginia Website: AllTrails and US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Seven Sisters Brewery, Mary old ale & Maggie imperial IPA The Hike: In the old days

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Sharp Top

Blue Ridge Parkway, Mountains, Short < 3 Miles, Virginia / / / ,

Highlights: rocky summit, views, fall foliage, rocky summit Distance:  2.8 mile out and back Elevation change: 1,200 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Difficult Trailhead Parking: Blue Ridge Parkway, mile post 85 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Parkway Brewing : Get Bent IPA & Ravens Roost baltic porter The Hike: This is a great Blue Ridge Parkway

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