I’m doing a landscape photography trip to Roanoke in mid April and would like to shoot on some of the less popular trails near there. Experienced hiker with the right equipment, but would rather not be surrounded by a bunch of other fellow hikers if possible. I know that’ll mean sacrificing some of the more epic vistas like at Sharp Top or Dragon’s Tooth.

I’m camping/hiking in the southern part of Virginia rn near Damascus. I’m in my hammock and heard what I thought was tire screeches but what felt like an animal. It went on for a bout 10 minutes in total. It was like short bursts of the sound then would stop for a few seconds before starting up again. Maybe it was listening for a return call? I’ve been camping all over Virginia for the last two years for weeks on end and have never heard anything like it. I tried looking it up but wasn’t able to really find anything. Wondering if anyone else has come across something similar or if there might be any information on it.

Looking for some half day trips to start taking my little one on. Maybe with some small springs nearby. In Augusta CO, wanting to go into the gwnf thanks!

We have ideas to use headlamps in stationary modes such as on a tree or in the tent. We have some questions about your preferences and would greatly appreciate your input.

Answers will be anonymous

Link to the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLomgwqiHoQJ_p5nVMXdxXQoQROR1Sj-cxDFAfJV5GwaJKHQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

I’m doing a quick study for a design-thinking project about the C&O Canal. The project is part of a dual degree program at Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland Institute College of Art and is in collaboration with the C&O Canal Trust. If you love the C&O Canal and outdoor recreation, please share your experiences by answering a quick survey!

C&O Canal Visitor Survey

Happy to answer anyone’s questions, as well!

so I'm headed to Dublin for approximately 6 weeks for work. with the planned schedule free time will not be any abundance but i plan on working out some time for some hikes while I'm there. just curious if anyone had ay recommendations preferably within 2 hours of the area. enjoy some urbex climbing and exploring to so will definitely be keeping my eyes open for that to.

Going to start the spring hitting some trails and enjoying the nature.

I was up at Dragon’s tooth this weekend and all of the established camp sites around the Boy Scout Trail area are roped off. It doesn’t look like that will be changing anytime soon.

Anyone know why that’s the case? There were some signs about regrowing the area for a native plant. However, that area is so established and contained, it seems like a pretext for something else.

Unfortunate because there are not many other options for car camping in that area.

Hi there!

I have chronic pain and am looking for an easy hike I can take in the Richmond area or about half an hour out. No more than 2 miles round trip ideal. Thank you!

Has anyone hiked Sugar Knob recently, and if so, can you give me some insight into the current trail? Is it well marked? I’m thinking about doing an overnight backpack this weekend given the unseasonable warmer weather.

Filtering on Hiking Upward suggests this is a Goldilocks trail for what I’m after, but the last post was four years ago. I’m looking for a medium difficulty hike with plenty of camping options, reliable access to water I can filter, and decent views. Mostly, I’m looking for a little solitude and a well marked trail.

TIA!

We're planning a combined backpacking/car camping trip in April. The idea is to do one trip that allows the older scouts (ages 14 - 17) to go backpacking and the younger scouts (ages 12 - 13) to do a couple of day-hikes from basecamp. Can anyone recommend locations that would be able to accommodate both groups? Somewhere with a large group campsite for basecamp, a couple of moderate day-hikes for the younger scouts, and a moderately difficult loop backpacking hike for older scouts would be ideal. Your recommendations are much appreciated. Thanks!

ETA: Due to travel constraints, we're most interested in hiking the Blue Ridge between Natural Bridge and Front Royal.

Looking for some beginner/intermediate over night trips anywhere.

Hello Virginia Hikers! I spend most of my time in the White Mountains in New Hampshire, but this weekend I’m taking a trip to Virginia and hope to tackle Old Rag.

Any advice on resources to follow for recent trail conditions or weather? I’ve been keeping an eye on Mountain Weather, but I haven’t come across anything more local in my research. I’ve done a lot of winter hiking in the northeast so I’m not too worried about the temperature, but would like to avoid the scramble in crazy rain.

Otherwise, open to any and all advice on the mountain or other things I should check out in the area.

Good morning all, I’m decently experienced with back packing but Im looking for trails in VA that are relatively flat, I have a buddy that wants to go but he has really bad knees. He can do fine on decently flat land but the proper backpacking trails that have a lot of elevation change wouldn’t work for him. We’re local to the VA Beach area, but don’t mind driving a good bit for a good trail. Both single and multi day trails are good.

Thanks!

Hiked Kephart Landing in Leesburg this morning- it was a cold one 🥶

I recently moved to Tysons corner! Any recommendations for solo hikes? Preferably less than 1hr drive!

Thank you

Hello! Starting to plan a short backpacking trip with some friends and the Scales campground looks like a good place to begin. I’ve never been there though, so two questions for anyone who has:

1. I’ve read about Scales being closed a few times. Was that just during Covid or is it only open certain months?
2. Is Pine Mountain Road (603) to the campground just in bad condition, or actually something to worry about? I would be driving a Toyota Highlander.

Thank you, I appreciate any thoughts!

Hello,

We are planning a trip in early November from SWFL to Richmond for a job opportunity/interview situation for my husband. We will be staying 8 days and are bringing our kids with us. We LOVE to hike and plan on basically only doing that the entire time we're there (other than interviews, etc). Is there good hiking around Richmond or within a reasonable distance?

Our previous hikes have been to 20+ waterfalls in Georgia and Tennessee so we are familiar with the terrain, etc. Mostly just looking for advice on whether or not we should stay in Richmond and travel to the hiking spots or stay closer to the hikes and make the necessary trips to Richmond for the work stuff?

Have time to do a section this weekend, leaning toward Daleville to Pickle Branch, but wondering if that section is going to be crowded due to the holiday weekend. Generally my preference is desolation, lol. Thoughts?

Hey y’all, I’m trying to find a somewhat mountainous spot a little past Charlottesville (Augusta, Rockingham, Nelson area) for quick day trip with some friends. I’d like somewhere with free parking/entry seeing it’s the off season. Any recommendations?

Not an avid hiker but enjoy the heck on being outside. Planning on doing the Three Ridges hike soon but want to extend my stay an extra day (3 instead of 2). What would be the best itinerary to spread the trip out?

Basically I got 3 days to get away from life and want to take full advantage of it.

Thanks.

Q1: I am headed to the Blue Ridge to catch the last vestiges of falls color. I'd like to hike the Priest and then come down Crabtree Falls. Is it a reasonable plan to get an Uber for the 5ish miles along Route 56 from the Falls parking back to the Priest trailhead? Or is there some kind of shuttle? My recollection from cycling that road in years past is that it would not be great to walk.

Q2: I would also like to explore the 3 Ridges loop. Most of the trail apps suggest joining that from Reed's Gap, but it appears there is a spur off of Route 56 as well. Is this spur a good option?

Q3: 3 Ridges looks pretty big and strenuous. Is it better tackled as an overnight backpacking trip, or is it so steep and rocky that it's better to do one day with a light day pack?

I am an experienced hiker, but by no means of through-hiker fitness/toughness.

Thanks for any help/insights!

If so, I might have it. I forgot to put it in the lost and found box (I've been taking medicine that makes me forgetful lately).
If you can PM me what ear it's for and what color(s) it is, I'll find a way to get it to you.

Apologies for some cross-posts.

Looking to hike highlands and surrounding areas. Been checking rays weather and a cold front is moving through causing Friday to be raining all day ( maybe it will change? :))

Any thoughts on hiking conditions or best trails post rain? Or during rains.

Will be with fiancé, we usually hike a 4-8 mile loop in dry conditions.

Thanks in advance!

So like the title says I'm new to hiking so what are good easy day trail I don't mind driving out I'm just trying to do something new in life I'm in the Hampton roads area but willing to drive