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Appalachian Trail to Keffer Oak

Trail Map: The Hike: This easy hike on the Appalachian Trail has some nice meadow and mountain views. It also passes beside Keffer Oak, the 2nd largest tree on the AT. From the trailhead parking area, cross route 42 and follow a gravel double track road which runs beside the highway. In about 200 yards, […]

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Settler’s Museum to Glade Mountain

Trail Map: The Hike: This Appalachian Trail section hike doesn’t show up on AllTrails or most hiking websites. It’s a shame as this hike has views of the Great Valley, an AT shelter, several stream crossings, and what may be the longest rhododendron tunnel on the AT. The trailhead is located at an open air

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Tuscarora Trail: Biby to Pinnacle Overlook

The Hike: The Tuscarora Trail stretches for 250 miles from Pennsylvania to Virginia. Established in the 1960’s as an alternate route for the Appalachian Trail, the Tuscarora offers a truly unique hiking adventure. This section of the Tuscarora Trail is well marked and maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. We were joined on this

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Hightop Mountain

The Hike: Hightop Mountain (3,587’) is the highest peak in Shenandoah’s South District. The summit can be reached either from the south or the north via the Appalachian Trail. The most popular climb to Hightop Summit is a 3-mile out and back hike which scales the northern side of the mountain. From the Hightop Parking

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Sulphur Springs Loop

The Hike: From the trailhead on Petites Gap Road, we elected to hike counterclockwise leaving the 2.8 mile section of gravel road for the end. From the parking area, follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail northbound. The climb begins immediately and the trail gains nearly 700’ in elevation over the first mile.  We hiked in early

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Fort Monroe Seawall

Highlights: Fort Monroe, Chesapeake Bay views Distance: 3.4 miles out and back Elevation Change: 36 feet Trail Surface: Paved Difficulty Level: Easy (smooth surface, no elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center, 30 Ingalls Rd, Fort Monroe, VA Website: AllTrails and National Park Service Beer Pairings: 1865 Brewing Co.—High Noon Pale Ale

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White Rock Falls

Highlights: Waterfalls, mountain views Distance: 4.4 mile loop Elevation Change: 886 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with several rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate (elevation)  Trailhead Parking: White Rock Gap parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 18.5 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Brewing Tree Brewing Co.—Chapter 2 IPA & Flip Flop Pils The Hike: Most people like

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Little Flat Mountain

Highlights: Wildflowers, streams, mountain views Distance: 4.5 mile loop Elevation change: 1,263 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Patricia Ann Byrom Forest Preserve Park, 6610 Blackwells Hollow Road, Crozet, VA  Website: Albemarle County and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Skipping Rock Beer Co. Amber Lager & Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale The Hike: This fun hike is

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Back Bay Wildlife Refuge Loop

Highlights: Birding, ocean views, wildlife  Distance: 9.5 mile loop Elevation change: 35 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Visitor Contact Station, 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach VA; park entry fee required Website: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, AllTrails, and False Cape State Park Beer Pairings: Reaver Beach Brewing Co.—Hammerhead IPA & Soup of the Night

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