wildflowers

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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Highland Mountain Trail

Highlights: History, wildlife, wildflowers Distance: 3.6 mile loop Elevation change: 558 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: Highland, 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville Website: James Monroe Highland Beer Pairings: Decipher Brewing Co.—Scytale Stout & Broken Logic IPA The Hike: We have had several requests for shorter, easier hikes. This short hike travels to the top

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Saunders-Monticello Trail

Highlights: Wildflowers, history Distance: 4.3 miles out and back Elevation change: 238 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Monticello, 931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway; alternate parking area at Kemper Park; no entry fee required for trail use Website: Monticello Beer Pairings: Random Row Brewing Co.—Eagle Swoop Bitter & DoMo Triple IPA The Hike: We have had

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Bassett Trace Nature Trail

Highlights: Nature trail, lake views, bird watching Distance: 2.9 miles out and back Elevation change: 265 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Griffin Hotel, 136 E. Francis Street, Williamsburg Website: Colonial Williamsburg Beer Pairings: Precarious Beer—Fortune and Glory Pilsner & Chug Rug IPA The Hike: Located near Bassett Hall and owned by Colonial Williamsburg, this

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Waller Mill Park Lookout Tower Loop

Highlights: Lake views, bird watching Distance: 2.9 mile loop Elevation change: 185 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: 901 Airport Road, Williamsburg VA, $2.00 parking fee Website: Williamsburg Parks and Recreation Beer Pairings: Alewerks Brewing Company—Protocol Porter & Fractionate IPA The Hike: Waller Mill Park in Williamsburg is centrally located near Interstate 64 and Colonial

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Texas Beach

Highlights: James River, bird watching Distance: 3.6 miles out and back Elevation change: 128 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: North Bank Park, 1941 Texas Ave., Richmond VA Website: James River Park and AllTrails  Beer Pairings: Strangeways Brewing, Scott’s Addition—Zappa On Strat IPA & Less Than Zero IPA The Hike: Texas Beach is a popular

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Pony Pasture and Wetlands Loop

Highlights: River views, wetlands, bird watching Distance: 2.7 mile loop Elevation change: 26 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Pony Pasture Park, 7200 Riverside Drive, Richmond Website: James River Park and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Veil Brewing Co. (Forest Hill)—Stay Hydrate IPA & Crucial Taunt Double IPA The Hike: The Pony Pasture has been a favorite

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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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Ragged Mountain Loop

Highlights: Lake views, wooden statues, wildflowers Distance: 6.8 miles loop Elevation change: 1,045 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Ragged Mountain Natural Area, 1770 Reservoir Road, Charlottesville Website: Charlottesville Parks & Recreation Beer Pairings: Rockfish Brewery—English Brown Ale & New England IPA The Hike: The Ragged Mountain Natural Area is a 980-acre forest located in

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Great Dismal Swamp to Lake Drummond

Highlights: Historic site, Lake Drummond, Great Dismal Swamp Distance: 9.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 42 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: Washington Ditch entrance – 3076 White Marsh Road, Suffolk, VA. Follow the gravel road past the entry gate for one mile to the parking area Website: US Fish & Wildlife Service Beer

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