Did this hike in autumn, early morning with an energetic 5 year old and 9 year old. Hike was not hard at all and was incredibly rewarding at the end. The kids were in awe, and raved about it in the moment and still now after we have gotten home! I would recommend going early—parking lot was empty and got some time to take in the summit solo without anyone there, which wouldn’t be possible with a crowd. See more..
5.0Old Rag Mountain Hike(385 reviews) - Amazing rock scramble in Shenandoah Hiking Trails
This is an amazing hike in Shenandoah National Park. The entrance to the hike is outside the park, but there is an entry fee. We arrived at 7:30 on a May Saturday and we got parking by the entrance, and it was not too crowded. This definitely a unique strenuous hike. There are rock scrambles with narrow passes and areas requiring the ability to use one's arms to pull up. Parts of this scramble are single file, and easy to see why lines can form on the top. Carrying a large pack in this area can affect maneuverability. The altitude changes are not unreasonable, and at 9 miles, it is not too long. What sets this hike apart is the approximately 1 mile ridge scramble on the ridge. There are views on both sides of the mountain, and plenty of view points to sit and have a snack or lunch. The fire road following the summit is a nice respite from the altitude changes, but at 3-4 miles, is a little long and slo paced, but does go by a stream.See more..
Walked the Noland Trail at the Mariner's Museum in Newport News yesterday (9/10/21). It is a great, well-marked 5 mile trail around Lake Maury. (We actually walked about 6 miles because we went out to each overlook along the trail.) There are options (study the map at the trailhead) for shorter hikes to leave the trail. Tree roots are marked with bright paint and the trail is well maintained. Perfect for all ages though not wheelchair friendly. So nice to have a walking/running trail like this in the City. We felt like we were in a nice shaded forest the whole walk. Highly recommend a walk on the Noland Trail if you are looking for exercise or a fun nature experience.See more..
We wanted to take a short walk in the woods, and were releaved and delighted that the paths were well maintained, smooth (no fear of tripping) and well maintained. To reach the lookout above was not difficult at all, and worth the slight effort. Two baby carriages we passed assured us we could navigate these paths. The boardwalk on the path toward Monticello is perfectly maintained and 8 feet wide. We walked as far as we felt comfortable, and returned to our parked car. See more..
4.5Appalachian Trail(197 reviews) - The Skyline Drive of Shenandoah Trails Hiking Trails
Wherever you are in Shenandoah National Park, you are not far from the Appalachian Trial that runs the entire length of the park. You are bound to cross it multiple times and even hike it when you visit the best views in the park. The Appalachian Trail (AT) is to feet what the Skyline drive is to vehicles in the park. It is marked by a white blaze so everyone knows when they are on it. Again going up to Bearfence, Hawksbill, Stoney Man and Mary's Rock, my daughter and I actually hiked a portion of the trail. It was interesting for us as a friend of my son's had just walked the Shenandoah section days before us on his way to reaching the half way point between Georgia and Maine. The other thing about the AT in Shenandoah is that it is typically an easier trail, simply following the ridgeline. For this reason my daughter always loved seeing the white blaze.See more..
We stayed at New River Trail Cabins mid-September and this was one of our favorite biking getaways. We biked several sections of the trail over 3 days. The trail is mostly flat, packed gravel, an easy to medium ride through beautiful nature. September temps ranged from 40s at night to mid 60s during the day. Wear layers as it can be quite cool biking early and by mid-day it is time for shorts. Trail access parking is $7, compared to previous reviews which stated $3. We enjoyed an excellent home-cooked meal of roast beef, potatoes, collards & fried apples at the Cafe at Fries. Behind the cafe is a park where you can walk beside the river. You can get trail a map at different stations along the trail.See more..
My husband and I were very pleased with how beautiful this walk was. Easy paved walkway, large enough to easily pass other walkers. Loved that the you follow the creek the whole way. Saw fisherman pull some nice size trout out too! There are even cows in the loop area! Plenty of places to use restrooms/clean porta potties. Approx. 3 miles if you start at either end and walk the entire paved area, however there are plenty of parking areas to choose from. We had planned to bike it however we noticed only walkers so we decided to just enjoy the walk too.See more..
I love Danville for a lot of reasons and always enjoy visiting the city. One of the key highlights is what's happening along the Dan River as it passes through this charming town. It's one of the great revitalization stories in America and the Riverwalk Trail is a big part of the transformation. The trail is great for walking/running, but also a joy to explore on bike. I was in town for business and walked across the street from the Courtyard by Marriott and used one of the city's many bike rentals (free for the first hour of use) in the early morning. It was a great ride through town, informed by the interpretive signage of a city with an amazing history and strong future.See more..
4.5Riverwalk Trail(147 reviews) - Well Maintained and Scenic Hiking Trails
We enjoyed a 10 mile walk along this well maintained and scenic trail on a beautiful Spring week day. We found plenty of parking available in the 10th Street lot along the river. From there we headed north and west along what is listed as the James River Heritage Trail for almost 3 miles to the end at Park Avenue just past the Kemper Street train station. From there we retraced our steps past our parked car, crossed the river through Percival's Island Nature Preserve, and u-turned back to the car. Trail conditions and signage were excellent.See more..
5.0Virginia Creeper Trail Club(133 reviews) - So much fun! Biking Trails • Equestrian Trails • Hiking Trails
So for the uninitiated the Virginia Creeper goes DOWNHILL for 17 miles! Nothing strenuous unless you are one of the over achievers peddling uphill! Plenty of pretty landscapes, a preserved country store to check out while you rest your tush or visit the WC! When all that exertion makes you thirsty bring a picnic to the Abington Winery and relax on the lawn under the trees listening to the creek. Full disclosure a pup or two or more may scoop up your scraps!See more..
Flat, wide, solid-surface trail surrounded by trees and sometimes Great Dismal Swamp Canal waters. Nice colors for Fall. No hills. Shady. Picnic places along the way. Watch intercoastal waterway traffic from the trail and overlooks.See more..
4.5Mary's Rock Summit Trail(117 reviews) - Rewarding short hike for a most stunning view Hiking Trails
This is one of my favorite hikes in the park. Last time we started from a trailhead on route 211 so it was a longer trek to reach the top. This time started from the Panorama parking lot (just south of Thornton Gap entrance) so it was just a 4 mile out and back, a much easier and extremely rewarding short hike (however one benefit for hiking the longer way is free parking at the trailhead). It's a steady uphill all the way but the slope is pretty mild overall so not that hard if you go slowly. The view at the top is stunning, and best of all, there is an extensive amount of rock outcropping so if you like rock scrambling, it's possible to get away from the main area where most people congregate and find a more solitude perch to enjoy the view. Note the summit is super windy and can be chilly now it's no longer summer - so if you plan on staying for a bit be sure to bring something warm to wear.See more..
We can help you plan a day with the family on the Virginia Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail, Iron Mountain Trail or a biking adventure vacation that will invigorate the senses and please the whole family. So grab your bike (or rent one of ours), bring family and friends, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Our shop is located on lovely Laurel Avenue in downtown Damascus, Virginia, right smack dab between the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail. Cycling, mountain biking and walking vacation adventures along with bike sales and rentals.See more..
We went to the lower trail which was very challenging to find at first - well off the beaten path. It was nice, though, after hiking a few from the top to start uphill and then end coming down. The hike was only a little over a mile and a half and it was easier than most for the most part. The falls were beautiful in a different way than the others we had done. We really enjoyed hanging out and watching how the water flowed over the many different levels in many different paths. It was enchanting.See more..
This trail is great for a walk - not really a hike. It’s a combo of paved and boardwalk and is around a mile long out and back. While it’s not a true hike it’s got informative signage along the way talking about the rock and how the area formed and the view at the end is amazing. Definitely a great stop when you want a spectacular view without a lot of effort or good for family members who aren’t up for a trial hike. See more..
How excellent must a trail be to receive an excellent rating even when one's visit ended with an injured party member and an emergency evacuation? Well...pretty damn excellent! The volume of water flowing down Little Stony Creek makes for allot of drama and amazing photographs. Unfortunately, the lower trail by the creek is also a bit challenging; hence, multiple broken bones by one of my party members. However, I definitely plan to return!See more..
4.5Limberlost Trail(71 reviews) - Beautiful walk in the woods Spent 1-2 hours Hiking Trails
This trail is very easy, mostly flat, and about 1.3 miles long. We had done some harder hikes in the park and asked a ranger at Big Meadows for just a really easy hike/walk we could do on our last afternoon and he recommended Limberlost. It was just what we wanted to stretch out our sore legs! This is a great trail for anyone of any ability. Although there aren't mountain views or waterfalls, in early Oct., we actually had a lot of beautiful fall color on this trail and lots of birds. It was super peaceful and we just passed a handful of other individuals. Many benches for resting if needed too. I will say, the parking lot gets packed. It is also a starting point for the White Oak Trail. We had to park in the grass mid-afternoon on a Thurs and it was even busier when we finished our walk.See more..
4.5Huckleberry Trail(64 reviews) - Long paved greenway Hiking Trails
I was looking for a paved path for a jog early Sunday morning, and Huckleberry Trail was perfect! Accessing the trail in downtown Blacksburg, I completed the northern section, rather than turning south toward Christiansburg. The entire trail covers 13 miles, and has multiple access points. Great views of VT athletic facilities. Ran by the airport while a plane was taking off. Absolutely loved it!See more..
4.5Powhatan State Park(45 reviews) - FALL RV Camping Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours State Parks • Hiking Trails • Forests
Powhatan State Park has become one of our favorite State Parks for RV Camping. The sites are large and very well separated from each other so there is a lot of privacy. Many sites are heavily wooded, so there is lots of shade. The bath house is very clean and there is also a laundry area. Walking trails are well marked. The RV sites are not on the water, but the river is within walking distance. There are grocery and drug stores, gas stations and restaurants in two small towns close by.See more..
4.5Wilderness Road State Park(45 reviews) - Do not miss this hidden gem! State Parks • Hiking Trails • Playgrounds
What an incredible find! This place is truly a hidden gem that you will not want to miss! The reconstructed wilderness fort of Martin's Station in the park was fascinating, probably the most meticulously authentic and detailed fort I have ever seen. There was so much to see and absorb, and you really felt like you had stepped back in time--there was even a fully furnished tavern. I learned so much from the costumed interpreters working on site, one of whom was a former history teacher who told us fascinating stories about the individuals and what it took to survive in that place and time. I learned so many things that were unexpected and just really cool!See more..
4.5Beaverdam Park(45 reviews) - Nice! Spent More than 3 hours Parks • Hiking Trails
At our Gloucester County's most popular park you can hike, bike, or ride horses on our trails; fish, canoe, or kayak in the lake (rentals available); play on the playground with your children; have a picnic; and enjoy the scenic views and wildlife.See more..
5.0Blackwater Creek Trail(40 reviews) - Excellent Bike/Walking trails - Rails to Trails Spent 1-2 hours Biking Trails • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Excellent Bike/Walking trails - Rails to Trails. Most of the trails are blacktopped for smooth biking/walking and are shaded from the hot sunny days. We biked over 9 miles in beautiful surroundings, including a low water crossing area that was concrete with water going under/through pipes with view of waterfall, an amazing tunnel that was a cool refreshing spot on a hot day, and multiple trails for you to choose from.See more..
4.0South River Falls Trail(40 reviews) - Great Trail! Low Crowds, Beautiful Scenery Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails
This was my favorite trail of the trip. It's short if you are going to the observation point, but by mid summer you will barely even see the falls from that spot due to full foliage. If you're able and have the time, add the extra mileage to continue down to the base of the falls, where you will find a wonderful trail, with low foot traffic, switch-backing down to the bottom of the falls. Watch for snakes! We had a northern watersnake give us quite a scare until we were able to get back and ID what we saw with more certainty, lol! There were tons of milliepedes too, but those guys are kind of cute with their short stubby legs. Because trekking to the BASE of a waterfall is downhill, the return is uphill. We took the fire road back to change up the scenery a bit, and our trackers counted an even 6 mile hike. WELL WORTH IT!See more..
4.5The Devil's Bathtub(39 reviews) - Beautiful Swimhole but Very Crowded Spent More than 3 hours Hiking Trails
Devil's Bathtub is a waterfall and pothole in the creek bed that makes an excellent swimhole. Be warned, the water is very cold. It's a 3-4 mile round trip hike with dozens of creek crossings so plan to get your feet wet. The hike is beautiful and worth taking your time. We wore water shoes so the crossing were no big deal. My only complaint was that it was super crowded. Scott County built a second parking area to accommodate demand and that was almost full too. There was almost no one at Little Stony so we were surprised it was so crowded here. Would definitely recommend visiting during the week and arriving early to avoid the crowds.See more..
The trail is well maintained. Lots of woods create a quiet environment that has the feel of being out in the country, yet is actually still in the citySee more..
4.5Sherando Lake Recreation Area(29 reviews) - Marvelous place to camp with kids Spent More than 3 hours Parks • Hiking Trails
Great place to camp with kids. There would be four families that would go out for a week. We'd do two per site. Great fun, ten kids. Biking, fishing, swimming,camp fires, playing in the creek. We all loved it. Then they grew up.See more..
4.0Northwest River Park(23 reviews) - Hike with my dog Spent 1-2 hours Parks • Hiking Trails
This was a great place to hike with my dog! I prefer to take just one long trail but this park you must combine several small trails. It wasn’t too crowded but then again the trails were pretty muddy. My pup needed a bath when we got home. Just prepare and don’t bring your best sneakers or stick to the paved paths. See more..
5.0Jackson River Scenic Trail(20 reviews) - Easy walk with art. Spent 2-3 hours Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
Easy evening walk along the Jackson River. Started at the Evergreen Inn B&B where we stayed. The scenic trail is a converted rail to trail. The path was wide and flat and at the time of our walk adorned with painted rocks.See more..
Absolutely gorgeous setting. The first two miles of this hike are no joke and strenuous. It’s like the FLOOR IS LAVA in the woods. Lots of rocky climbs and river crossings. Beautiful creek and some small falls. About a mile in you get massive rock walls. Very pretty. The last 3 miles of the 5 mile loop are a walk on a gravel road. That is when I recovered. See more..
4.5Custis Trail(18 reviews) - Great for Running or Bicycling Hiking Trails
Trail providing excellent running and biking paved with hills and inclines for a great workout. The trail can be accessed from Fairfax Drive or a number of other streets in the area.See more..
This hike was the best we did on our 4 day Blue Ridge getaway. While the hikes along the Parkway were overcrowded and stressful, this hike was the perfect antidote. We passed less than 20 other people the entire 4 hours we spent here. The hike was awesome, some flat, some uphill, all covered in fall foliage. The path is obvious and the views from the top breathtaking. Great half day outing. Parking space is limited and there are no facilities. Highly recommended.See more..
Lovely park to explore another side of Harrisburg and to get some steps and workout, without having to go further in the National Park. In no way is it comparable to Shenandoah of course, but this park is still very enjoyable. There are multiple shelters (that you can rent) to organize larger gatherings, with concrete floors, trash cans and charcoal BBQs. While running, I didn't pass by the different sport fields, nor the workout equipment... I'm not sure where they are located. However, I agree with others about how the many crossing trails may be confusing! I'd suggest downloading the free app All Trails, find the park's map and follow along real time as you're walking.See more..
This was such a great hike! I wouldn’t call it a beginner hike because it’s essentially 3 miles uphill and at times you’re going through some questionable trail sections. That being said, this beginner hiker still completed it. The channels are so neat and fun to explore, we played Marco Polo. We went in January and there was snow up there but it still didn’t stop others from coming out to explore too. Like many other reviews state, there is very little parking and even on a cold, snowy January day there were only 2 spots left when we arrived at 11am.See more..
4.5Jones Run Falls Trailhead(16 reviews) - One of the Best in the Park Spent More than 3 hours Hiking Trails
I hiked here as part of a larger hike via Browns Gap (sort of I went on the wrong side). This is a pretty strenuous hike with much up and down and a lot of rock scrambling. Worth it except bring snacks, lots of water and use hiking poles! These falls are simply gorgeous!See more..
4.5Blue Ridge Tunnel East Trailhead(14 reviews) - A great day trip Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Biking Trails • Hiking Trails • Jogging Paths & Tracks
My wife and I made the 1 hour drive to Afton to check out this tunnel. From the Eastside parking lot,next to the old train station, the hike is a half mile to the tunnel entrance. We'll maintained and a safe surface to walk on. The tunnel is about a mile long and definitely requires a headlamp or flashlight. Nice and cool in mid June but a t-shirt is fine. A few uneven areas and a few holes to watch out for on the path thru and the edges can be a little slick from the water dripping inside. Each side has running water like creeks which does have crawdads,salamanders and frogs in them if you slow down and look closely. We exited the Westside and returned to where we parked. Definitely worth the time to check out the hard work that went into the making of this 1850's effortSee more..
4.0Lee's Retreat(14 reviews) - Give it the Time it Deserves Hiking Trails I recently attempted to drive the Lee's Retreat route in reverse from Appomatox. The only guide I had was a standard road atlas and a route I traced from the Lee's Retreat website. The route is well marked with signs and the recorded information you get over your car radio helps you imagine what it must have been like. My only word of caution is to definitely leave enough time in your day to make the drive. On paper the distances don't seem that far apart, but some can be many miles (and seem even longer) especially when driving the rural roads of the Virginia countryside.See more..
4.5Big Cedar Creek Falls(13 reviews) - Beautiful and Well Marked Trails Hiking Trails • Waterfalls
I live within an hour of the area but had never heard of it. Was not expecting it to be so well maintained and beautiful. Swinging bridge at the parking area is well made and very sturdy. The rails are wide and marked well. Very little chance of getting lost. The falls are beautiful and not as dangerous as some others in the area. These trails are suitable for all ages and all abilities. Very relaxing shady, wooded trails. See more..
We took our dog here for a great hike in spring. There is about 2 miles of trail making a loop that leads up to the summit. Oak Trail leads along the flank of the mountain and there were a tremendous amount of trillium and other wildflowers. Barrens Loop Trail leads to the summit with fantastic views from the highest point in Floyd County. The top part of the trail is roped off to keep hikers on the trail and prevent trampling sensitive wildlife. Please stay within the roped off trail. The 1-mile gravel road to the parking area is very narrow with a few pull-offs for oncoming traffic. Drive slowly and cautiously. Overall, a great spot for a hike with wildflowers and scenic views.See more..
There are numerous trails here including a trail for horses (local residents only) and a dog park trail. My brother, my daughter and I took the yellow river bluff trail. There were several trees across the path but they were evergreens which had come down during a heavy snowfall last week (our area had a lot of trees down due to the weight of the snow). It was also very muddy but that being said we had a great time. It was a lot of up and down good sized hills and other than the downed trees the trails were very clean. We didn't even finish our hike before we stated talking about coming back and checking out the other trails. At the beginning of the trail, there are restrooms, information boards (the flyer box was empty but the trail was very well marked), and even a small covered picnic area. There website can be found at : http://fluvannaheritagetrail.org/index.htmlSee more..
4.5Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail(11 reviews) - Love this trail Spent 2-3 hours Biking Trails • Equestrian Trails • Hiking Trails
We love this trail. Since we went with our 8 year old we parked at the second entrance which saved us two miles each way. He was able to bike all the way to the end. It was about 11 miles round-trip. This is a great converted rail bed so it's really flat. The trail is great because there are lots of interesting things to see along the way. The trail runs along a stream and there is a covered bridge. See more..
We spent 4 days on a central section of this "trail" and loved every minute of it. The whole trail covers about 300 miles of lower Virginia countryside; we covered only about 150 miles of it. Mountain views, backroads, and HERITAGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC are THE attractions. It's all about "an authentic music that has been preserved by the region's musicians for generations." There are lots of free venues and the others are for a most modest fee. We had seen a TV "travelogue" a couple of years ago and finally got up there. Can't wait to go back ... perhaps to one of the many annual festivals. We were slightly surprised by the motel / hotel rates throughout the area in mid-August. Comfort Suites / Holiday Inn Express type accomodations averaged about $89/nt mid-week and up to abt. $129/nt on weekends. Best advice is to go on line to: www.thecrookedroad.org for all the details you need to plan your trip.See more..
3.0Wahrani Nature Park(11 reviews) - Great trail, but bring a map, or you will get lost Parks • Hiking Trails
Pros: Great trail with many hills. This is a good place to get into shape or practice for more intense hiking later on. The scenery is nothing but woods. There are many places practice climbing or walking on tree trunks. Shady for the summer. The trail itself is well maintained. Cons: Even though the trail is well maintained, the markers are non-existent. Do not plan on relying on them. The trail can be slippery and muddy and roots. The trail is covered in leaves, so branches and roots are hidden and can be a hazard. There was a section for hunting close enough to hear the gunshots. I thought it was too close to the trail. I would not suggest this park for young children. Their small children's area needs vast improvement. No real bathrooms (portable toilets are not real bathrooms). Suggestions: Bring lots of water, bug spray (especially in the summer), a whistle, and a compass. Also bring shoes that are going to be good for muddy terrain.See more..
4.0Lewis Falls Trail(11 reviews) - Moderate hike to a nice waterfall. Hiking Trails
In the interest of time, my husband and I decided to hike the shortest route to the waterfall and it was a moderate, rocky hike at times, but gave us the most bang for our buck. We left from a small parking lot between MP 51 and 52. Heading south just past Big Meadows and Wayside, there is a small parking lot on the right side of the road. Follow this trail (it will cross over the Appalacian Trail) and down to the falls. It took us just under 2 hours to complete the hike down, spend several minutes at the waterfall, and return UP the trail back to our car. There is a nice overlook that we almost missed.....be sure to look for the rocky portion of the trail that crosses over the top of the falls to take you down to the viewing area. Before crossing the waterfall there are several nice rocks that would be nice for a picnic lunch. Not as impressive as Dark Hollow Falls but still very pretty.See more..
4.5Blue Ridge Tunnel West Trailhead(9 reviews) - Fun place to spend the afternoon! Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Biking Trails • Hiking Trails • Jogging Paths & Tracks
We parked at the end with the parking lot. We followed the path to the tunnel and walked the entire tunnel. We sure to shine your flashlight on the inside walls of the tunnel and imagine the Irish immigrants and enslaved people who were tasked with making the tunnel Wow! At the end of the tunnel, someone crafted a seat out of tree branches. We sat here a few minutes and walked back. Lots of beautiful wildflowers along the path. Portable toilets are located near the parking lot.See more..
4.5Buzzard Rock North(9 reviews) - The Reward Compared to the Effort Of Buzzard Rock Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails
I may be somewhat bias because I live at the base of the mountain below Buzzard Rock, but I believe most who have been up there will say the payoff exceeds the effort. Most will have parked at the Buzzard Rock trailhead off Mountain Road or Route 119 a couple miles from the Passage Creek Fish Hatchery. The gradual white blazed trail leads you gently through the wooded terrain to a significant outcropping of rocks along the ridge with an uninterrupted 270 degree view towards Winchester and the breathtaking valley below. Prominently visible are the ponds at the fish hatchery immediately below. For an easy to moderate 45 minute walk you are offered a commanding view relatively cheap in terms of energy expended. And, it’s all downhill home...See more..
Virginia lends itself to pleasurable and educational exploration. Fredericksburg is a convenient hub or a place to stay overnight. From here one can explore Spotsylvania and Stafford following the Civil War trail and visiting Battlefields.See more..
4.5Wilderness Adventure At Eagle Landing(8 reviews) - BEST. WEEKEND. EVER. Thursday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Biking Trails • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks • Hiking Trails
So, we went to this AWESOME place on a weekend trip....just a random couple adventure that turned into a truly memorable experience. The staff is the best we have ever encountered. Delicious food, fire pit conversations, a guitar player and plenty of firewood to stoke the fire. We were BLOWN AWAY! The lodging is comfy, great beds too! To the staff: Thank you for hanging out with us by the fire and making us feel like family. If you ever want a unique get away... GO TO Wilderness Adventure!See more..
