This guide to 51 hikes in Virginia south of US 60 spotlights the region’s best options for family walks, hiking excursions, and backpacking adventures.

Explore 51 of Virginia’s best options for short walks, hiking excursions, and backpacking adventures!

From its lowest point at sea level to its loftiest mountain more than 5,000 feet high, Virginia south of US 60 is an unparalleled region. The terrain is diverse and beautiful, and the plant- and wildlife are varied and abundant. To truly see and appreciate the land’s natural wonders, a person should travel on foot.

In the east, walk for miles upon quiet beaches or hike across Tidewater lands preserved for migrating birds. Upon the rolling piedmont of central Virginia, discover historic sites from the days of the Civil War, as well as hikes around lakes both large and small. To the west, negotiate the ups and downs of the Blue Ridge region, where the rewards are well worth the effort. Gaze at wave after wave of Southern Appalachian ridgelines and at dozens of waterfalls that gush down steep slopes. Plus, hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail create opportunities for backpacking.

In Hike Virginia South 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 400 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 400 miles
• Short walks, day hikes, and backpacking excursions
• Full-color maps and photographs
• Trail information chart with key details about every featured hike

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Eastern Virginia

• First Landing State Park
• Back Bay and False Cape
• Northwest River
• Great Dismal Swamp
• Dismal Town Boardwalk
• Hog Island

Central Virginia

• Petersburg National Battlefield
• Pocahontas State Park
• Amelia Wildlife Management Area
• Twin Lakes State Park
• Kerr Reservoir
• Occoneechee State Park
• Staunton River State Park
• Appomattox Court House National History Park
• Blackwater Creek
• Fairy Stone State Park

The Blue Ridge Region

• The Appalachian Trail and the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
• Mount Rogers
• Buzzard Rock
• Virginia Creeper Trail
• Grayson Highlands
• Iron Mountain
• Comers Creek Falls
• Rowlands Creek Falls
• Hungry Mother State Park
• Burke’s Garden and the Appalachian Trail
• Brushy Mountain
• Dismal Creek and Sugar Run Mountain
• Locust Knob Loop
• Barneys Wall and The Cascades
• Mountain Lake
• Wind Rock
• Virginia’s Triple Crown
• Appalachian Trail/Little Cove Mountain Trail
• Patterson and Price Mountains
• Lake Robertson
• House Mountain
• The Maury River
• Fallingwater Cascades
• Devil’s Marbleyard

Far Southwest Virginia

• Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve
• Natural Tunnel
• Breaks
• Red Fox Trail
• North Fork of Pound Reservoir
• Chief Benge Scout Trail
• Little Stony Creek
• Stone Mountain
• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
• Cumberland Mountain
• Cleveland Barrens

Index