The northernmost promontory on lengthy Massanutten Mountain, Signal Knob provides sweeping views of Strasburg, Virginia and Shenandoah Valley. Climbing to the overlook, however, is a haul: hikers starting in the Elizabeth Furnace area of George Washington National Forest must conquer more than four miles one-way and 1,500 feet in elevation gain to reach the viewpoint—and …
Continue reading Signal Knob Loop (George Washington National Forest, VA)
Often cited as one of Virginia’s best day hikes, the long but rewarding Blue Suck Falls Loop in Douthat State Park features tumbling cascades, dense rhododendron thickets, and a series of fine viewpoints in an oft-forgotten corner of the state. It’s no easy walk in the park, however, covering nearly 10 miles and 1,700 feet …
Continue reading Blue Suck Falls Loop and Tuscarora Overlook (Douthat State Park, VA)
Excepting the noisy ATV riders who frequently transit the area, Greenbrier State Forest in southeastern West Virginia is a largely quiet and peaceful destination for hikers and mountain bikers. Spanning the flanks of tree-covered Kates Mountain, Greenbrier is not known for its spectacular vistas; however, it does offer 13 miles of hiking trails that crisscross …
Continue reading Old Field Loop Trail (Greenbrier State Forest, WV)
Although named for the tall, wily trees populating the area, the real highlight of the Yellow Poplar Trail in Maryland’s Gambrill State Park is the ubiquitous, yellow-green ferns seemingly present at every turn. Straddling Catoctin Mountain—the easternmost ridge of the Appalachian Mountains in Maryland—the Yellow Poplar Trail offers some limited vistas but, sparsely traveled even …
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While firmly within the District of Columbia, Rock Creek Park’s “wild northern section” sees relatively sparse use due to its distance from the city center. All the better: not only is bigger and better than the park’s crowded southern reaches, but the area provides a sense of solitude almost unheard of in a major American …
Continue reading Pinehurst Branch Trail Loop (Rock Creek Park, DC)
The eastern sector of Virginia’s Sky Meadows State Park—situated across Highway 17—is certainly less popular than the much larger western tract. It is frequented, however, by horseback riders, as all the trails on this side are equestrian-friendly. Of course, it’s possible to hike as well, and the Lost Mountain Loop—which summits a 1,041-foot, tree-covered peak—offers …
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Admittedly, the Tunnel Trail at New River Gorge National River in south-central West Virginia is a bit of a letdown sans its namesake attraction: a cave-like passage now closed to visitors. Barring deep structural fixes to the poorly-supported tunnel—historically a favorite among locals—the rock maze is likely to remain inaccessible for months or years to …
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Lacking the most creative nomenclature, the Grandview area at West Virginia’s New River Gorge National River nonetheless lives up to its name, boasting spectacular vistas and craggy cliffs. With New River some 1,400 feet below, the Castle Rock/Grandview Rim Trail loop leads hikers to some of the best viewpoints in the park. At least the …
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It seems like every state park in America has a man-made reservoir, and Babcock State Park in south-central West Virginia is no exception. After checking out the area’s historic grist mill, beautiful waterfalls, and sweeping views, finish off your day with an easy-to-moderate loop hike around Boley Lake, stocked with trout between February and May …
Continue reading Lake View Trail Loop (Babcock State Park, WV)
Especially in the spring, when water levels are particularly high, the Skyline Trail – Narrow Gauge Trail Loop in Babcock State Park is simply spectacular. This 4,127-acre park in south-central West Virginia, often dwarfed by its larger and better-known neighbor, offers greater solitude and intimacy than New River Gorge National River. What the Skyline Trail …
Continue reading Skyline Trail – Narrow Gauge Trail Loop (Babcock State Park, WV)
Live and Let Hike 