The greatest part of living in the Gainesville, Haymarket and Bristow area is being so close to picturesque mountain hikes. We are no more than an hour or two away from some amazing hiking trails where you can unplug, relax, commune with nature and catch sight of Virginia’s native wildlife and plants. Here are some of our favorite hiking day trips.
- Old Rag – Located in Shenandoah National Park, this 8-mile hike is one of the most challenging hikes in the area. There’s about one mile of rock scrambling where you will have to climb up and over boulders to reach the summit of the mountain.
- Bearfence Mountain – If you’re looking for stellar views of both sunrise and sunset, this is the hike for you. Also located in Shenandoah National Park, this short hike provides views of both the east and the west.
- Mary’s Rock – This hike offers several trail options from a 2.8-mile hike to a 9-mile loop. Located south of the Thornton Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park, the summit of this hike provides a great spot to watch the sunset.
- Mcafee Knob – This hike is very popular and provides a picturesque outcrop that’s a great place to take photographs. This is a longer hike, at about 9 miles. It offers 270-degree views, which make the 1700-foot elevation climb worthwhile.
- Mount Rogers – This is the highest point in Virginia and provides a challenging hike. There are no views from the summit, but there are plenty of great views along the hike and wild ponies make it worth the trip.
- Crabtree Falls – There are five major cascade falls along this hike. There is a paved, gentle hike to the first overlook followed by a 3-mile trail that provides a more challenging hike to the four other overlooks. For a bigger challenge, follow the trail from the upper falls for 1.2 miles to Crabtree Meadows.
- Great Falls Park – This park is located about 15 miles from Richmond and offers plenty of trails along the river, waterfalls, rock climbing and the historic Patowmack Canal, the oldest canal in the U.S. that was built to raise and lower boats passing through.
- Hawksbill Mountain – This is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park and offers several trails from steep to moderate. From the summit you can see Old Rag mountain.
These are just a few of many hiking day trips that are easily accessible when you live in Northern Virginia. Take advantage of all the natural beauty surrounding you by visiting these spots for a family fun day hike, a couple’s outing, a work teambuilder or all by yourself to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Looking for real estate services in Gainesville, Haymarket or Bristow? Contact your local real estate expert Belinda Jacobson-Loehle of Jacobson Realty and Home Staging today. Also be sure to sign up now for a FREE copy of my eBook, “The Real Estate Key – What You Need to Know!”
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