Hiking Parks

Located about 8 miles south of Front Royal along the banks of the Shenandoah River, Shenandoah River State Park features about 23 miles of trails that range from flat, smooth double track trails along the river to more difficult mountainous terrain with some steep climbs and descents on sometimes technical single track trails. 

Hiking along the trails in Sky Meadows State Park will reward you with beautiful vistas of the surrounding farmland and gently rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are about 12 miles of trails, which will take you through a mix of meadows and open forests. The Appalachian Trail passes through the park and continues on into the neighboring G. R. Thompson Wildlife Management Area.

Created in 1963 by the Smith Mountain Dam, Smith Mountain Lake has been a resort area over the past couple of decades. Many private vacation homes, bed and breakfast businesses, and marinas lie surround the lake, which has over 500 miles of shoreline.

The trail to Sterling Pond is a beautiful, but short loop.  The terrain is a bit challenging with plenty of rocks along the path and a steady climb and descent.  The elevation gain is about 1500 feet in 3 1/2 miles if you start your hike at the Smugglers Notch Picnic Area.

In the 1800's, this trail was a railroad used for transporting anthracite coal from the mines near Summit Hill down to the coal chutes on the Lehigh River. Known as a gravity railroad, it transported the train cars filled with coal down the mountain powered by gravity alone.

The Third Battle of Winchester is a self-guided tour along a wide paved/gravel trail that explains the story of the Civil War battle that occurred here in September 1864. There are several places along this path where you can access the network of hiking trails.  We were advised by the land manager that bicycles are not allowed within the park.

During late spring, summer, and autumn, hikers can climb to the top of Mount Mansfield using various trails that surround the base of the mountain. All along the exposed ridgeline, gorgeous vistas of the surrounding peaks can be seen. The Stowe area is known for its beautiful fall foliage and attracts many visitors who come to see the brilliant yellow, orange and red maple leaves. In the winter months, Mount Mansfield opens up its doors as a ski resort.

The mountain bike trail at Upper County Park is short but sweet. The Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association always does a superb job of creating new trails, and Upper County is no exception. Look for plenty of short, steep climbs and banked turns. Upper County Park also has a pool, playground, ballfields and picnic shelters.

A paved pedestrian and bike path, the Virginia Capital Trail, once completed, will span from Downtown Richmond to Jamestown and Williamsburg, terminating at the Governor's Mansion in Colonial Williamsburg. The trail name signifies that it will connect the two prior Virginia Capitals to the current seat of government in Richmond.

The Virginia Creeper is an extremely popular rail-trail located in picturesque southwestern Virginia.  Proof of its popularity can be seen in Damascus, where there are no less than seven bike shops that offer rentals, repair, and shuttle services up to Whitetop Mountain.  Most who come to bike the trail take one of these shuttles and ride the easy 17 miles back down to Damascus (a 1600 foot elevation drop).  From Damascus, the Creeper continues an additional 16 miles to Abingdon (no substantial elevation changes on this section).  The trail has over 40 bridges that cross scenic creeks along the way.