Description
Book SynopsisExplore 51 of Virginia’s best options for short walks, hiking excursions, and backpacking adventures!
From the craggy summits of the Allegheny Mountains to the soft shores of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia north of US 60 is an unparalleled region. The area is diverse and beautiful, and the plants and wildlife are varied and abundant. To truly see and appreciate the land’s natural wonders, a person should travel on foot.
In the eastern coastal plain, walk for miles upon quiet beaches, and see herons and egrets as they fish in swamps, ponds, and slow-moving streams. Upon the rolling piedmont of central Virginia, pass between grassy meadows with open views and mixed hardwood forests. Trails in the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains descend past waterfalls into valleys and coves. The mountains of western Virginia are the least populated. Here you’ll find the most isolated and quiet hiking and have the best chance of viewing the state’s abundant wildlife. Plus, hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail create opportunities for backpacking.
In Hike Virginia North of US 60, expert hiker and naturalist Leonard M. Adkins helps you experience the joys of walking and hiking throughout the area. The award-winning Virginia author spotlights 51 trails that traverse more than 360 miles. Routes range from easy walks on level ground to ambitious, multi-day backpacking excursions over rugged terrain. Each entry includes full-color maps and photographs, as well as driving directions and trail descriptions. Leonard also includes his fascinating insights on each site’s history and culture, plus vital at-a-glance information about distance, hiking time, and elevation gain.
Inside You’ll Find
- 51 hikes—popular trails and hidden gems—covering over 360 miles
- Short walks, day hikes, and backpacking excursions
- Full-color maps and photographs
- Trail information chart with key details about every featured hike
Table of ContentsDedication
Overview Map
Map Legend
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Hikes at a Glance
Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Virginia
- Grandview Nature Preserve
- Newport News Park
- Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve
- Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve
- Belle Isle State Park
- The Northern Neck
Central Virginia
- Cold Harbor
- Willis River Trail
- Lake Anna State Park
- Spotsylvania
- Prince William Forest Park
- Mason Neck State Park
- Bull Run–Occoquan River
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Sky Meadows State Park
- Split Rock
Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountains
- Little Sluice Mountain and Cedar Creek
- Big Schloss
- Signal Knob
- Woodstock Observation Tower
- Duncan Knob
- Marys Rock
- Stony Man
- Old Rag
- Cedar Run and Whiteoak Canyon
- Hawksbill
- Rapidan Camp
- Rocky Mountain, Brown Mountain, and Rockytop
- Riprap Hollow
- Blue Ridge Tunnel
- Whetstone Ridge
- White Rock Falls and Slacks Overlook Trails
- Sherando Lake
- Saint Mary’s Wilderness
- Crabtree Falls
- Appalachian and Mau-Har Trails
- Mount Pleasant
- Cole Mountain
Western Virginia
- North River Gorge
- Todd Lake Recreation Area and Trimble Mountain
- Wild Oak National Recreation Trail
- Ramseys Draft
- Shenandoah Mountain
- Elliott Knob and Falls Hollow
- Laurel Fork
- Hidden Valley
- Lake Moomaw: Greenwood Point Trail
- Rich Hole Wilderness
- Douthat State Park: Beards Mountain
- Douthat State Park: Tuscarora Overlook
- Dry Run
Suggested Reading and Field Guides
Index
Become a Hike Virginia Trail Master
About the Author
