Appalachian Trail: Thornton Gap to Gravel Springs Gap
Frequent overlooks, lush landscapes, and three Blue Ridge summits highlight this 14.3-mile section in Shenandoah National Park.
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Appalachian Trail: VA 613 to VA 601Overnight at War Spur Shelter on this 7.7-mile ridgeline tour linking Potts Mountain and Lone Pine Peak then drop into Rocky Gap (one of many Rocky Gaps along the AT spine). Shenandoah National Park: Thornton Gap to the PinnaclesGo 5 or 10 miles on this dayhike, which features skyline views of migrating hawks, the Shenandoah River Valley, and nearby towns. Appalachian Trail: VA 635 to VA 613Wind Rock. The first explorers nailed the name of this breezy point perched above a sea of wooded wilderness in two states. |
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Washington, DC: Washington Waterfront LoopThis 11.2-mile tour of D.C. sticks close to the Potomac River shoreline, connecting several national monuments, greenways, and parks. James River - Eagle Rock to Springwood (~16 miles)Great canoe/kayak section of James River from town of Eagle Rock to town of Springwood (~16 miles). Continue to Buchanan take out for an additional 3 miles. Washington, DC: Big SchlossA 19.5-mile loop through George Washington National Forest, this two-day trip treks through brilliant foliage to a towering outcrop of Tuscarora sandstone. |
The Best Cities to Raise an Outdoor KidWhich towns offer the ideal mix of accessible trails, inspiring teachers, and great recreational resources? We worked with The Outdoor Foundation to identify America's top 25 places to beat nature deficit disorder. Southeast Readers' Choice HikesColossal trees, sweet swimming holes, and the USA's best picnic spot. Your Favorite Places: Readers' Choice Trips 2010Who knows the secret trails and must-do classics in every corner of the country? Our teams of regional experts, recruited from the ranks of readers like you. Here are their top hikes from coast to coast. |
Readers' Choice Southeast Hikes: Ramsey Cascades, Great Smokies, TNSee big water, massive trees, and tiny amphibians. Readers' Choice Southeast Hikes: Mt. Rogers NRA, VACelebrate the arrival of summer with an unrivaled circus of color. Readers' Choice Southeast Hikes: Max Patch Bald, NCHave a picnic on one of the Southeast's biggest balds. |
Appalachian Trail Nature Photo GalleryWildflowers, bugs, and other nature photographs shot by our map correspondent on the AT © Jeff Chow AT Shelter Photo GalleryA few of the shelters and lean-tos found along the length of the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow Panoramas of the Appalachian TrailA collection of five-star overlooks along the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow |
AT Interview: Correspondent Jeff ChowJeff Chow spent 10 months mapping every mile of the AT for BACKPACKER. Learn about his favorite spots and hard-earned tips here. |
Editors' Choice Gold 2010 Videos: Evernew Titanium Non-Stick CookwareThese perfect pots have stood the test of time and earned our coveted Editors' Choice Gold Award. |
Editors' Choice 2010: Climbing the MonchBACKPACKER editors cap their Swiss gear-testing trip with a climb of the 13,474-foot Monch. |
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Courtesy of Virginia Travel Corporation
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Shenandoah National Park: Matthews Arm Loop Charlottesville: Three Ridges Loop Shenandoah National Park: Big Devils Stairs |

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