wildlife

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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Fallingwater Cascades

Highlights: Waterfall, rock formations, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 1.6 mile loop Elevation change: 410 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Flat Top parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 83.5 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Beale’s Brewery—Purple Mountain Pilsner & Red IPA The Hike: This short hike leads to a waterfall and series of cascades.

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Flat Top Mountain

Highlights: Mountain top views, large boulders, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 5.2 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,750 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Flat Top parking area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 83.5 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Beale’s Brewery—Purple Mountain Pilsner & Red IPA The Hike: The Peaks of Otteris a popular destination

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Hogback Mountain Loop

Highlights: Nice views, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers, wildlife, fall foliage Distance: 7.1 mile loop Elevation change: 1,123 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Piney River parking area, Skyline Drive mile 22.3, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Pen Druid Brewing Co.—Golden Swan Wild Ale & Arkansas Black Sparkling Cider The Hike: We cobbled

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AT: Compton Peak & Fort Windham Rocks

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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Rocky Row on the AT

Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail, stream crossings, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 10.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 2,461 feet Difficulty level: Very strenuous Trailhead Parking: James River Footbridge/AT trail parking, route 501 near Snowden VA Website: Hiking Upward https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/bigrockyrow/ Beer Pairings: Camp Trapezium—New Day Lager & Lucky 46 IPA The Hike: This was a great

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Mount Pleasant Loop

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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Maryland Heights

Highlights: Appalachian Trail, Harpers Ferry historic district, great views Distance: 4.5 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,350 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Lower Town Information Center, Harpers Ferry WV, park fee required Website: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Beer Pairings: Smoketown Brewing—My Best Girl DIPA & Angler’s Mid Atlantic Steam IPA The Hike:

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Loudon Heights

Highlights: Appalachian Trail, historic district, great views, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 7.8 miles out and back Elevation change: 2,278 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Lower Town Information Center, Harpers Ferry WV, park fee required Website: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Beer Pairings: Harpers Ferry Brewing—Shenandoah Stout & Needles IPA The Hike: This hike begins with

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Riprap/Wildcat Ridge Loop

Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, stream crossings, Appalachian Trail, rock formations, wildlife, views, swimming hole Distance: 9.8 mile loop Elevation change: 2,365 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Riprap parking area, Skyline Drive mile 90, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Basic City Brewing—Our Daily Pils & Tropicos #008 IPA The Hike: This hike

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