![]() Ryan Charbonneau, Nantahala Outdoor Center (N.C.) Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail (Shenandoah Valley, Va.)Īlexandra Garcia can read Alexandra Garcia’s account of her difficult pursuits here.C&O Canal National Historic Park (Potomac, Md.). ![]() The Park at Flat Rock (Flat Rock, N.C.).Photo courtesy of Giles County Tourism ADA Accessible ExperiencesĬherokee Flats Day Use Area (Giles County, Va.) Plus, with many outfitters and gear shops in town, Roanoke fosters a community of outdoor enthusiasts to support family pursuits along the way.Ĭherokee Flats provides ADA access to fishing on Big Stony Creek. Locals also attend adventure-based events throughout the year, like Roanoke GO Fest, which features a weekend packed with live demonstrations and group activities. From the mellow paved greenway system along the Roanoke River to the more rugged escapes at Carvins Cove and the Appalachian Trail on the outskirts of town, the small city has plenty of opportunities for kids to progress in the outdoors. Set in southwest Virginia’s stretch of the Blue Ridge, Roanoke offers families ample open spaces to explore. Tie – Mill Creek Nature Park (Narrows, Va.) and Coyner Springs Dog Park (Waynesboro, Va.).Tie – Wind Rocks Hike (Giles County, Va.) and Arrowhead Bike Farm (Fayetteville, W.Va.).Devils Backbone Basecamp (Nellysford, Va.).Appalachian Ski Mountain Terrain Park (Blowing Rock, N.C.).Mountaineer Terrain Park (Snowshoe Mountain, W.Va.) Tie – Diamond Jim (Massanutten Resort, Va.) and Tyro (Wintergreen Resort, Va.).Whoopdedoo (Sugar Mountain Resort, N.C.).Despite skiing at esteemed resorts and areas all over the globe, Killy maintained that Cupp Run’s steep consistent grades were one of his favorite places in the world to hit the snow. Over a mile and a half, you’ll experience a 1,500-foot vertical drop and grades of up to 52 percent. Originally the creation of French World Cup alpine ski racer Jean-Claude Killy, this relentless, black diamond run on Snowshoe’s western slopes provides a tough challenge with plenty of steep, bumpy sections. Photo courtesy of Snowshoe Mountain Ski RunĬupp Run has a long and storied history of challenging the best skiers from the South and beyond. Natural Bridge State Park (Natural Bridge, Va.)įive terrain parks at Snowshoe means there are plenty of opportunities to improve your skills.Place to Stargaze Green Bank Observatory (Green Bank, W.Va.) Catawba River Greenway (Morganton, N.C.).“When I go, I look with attention for all of the signs of life, and then I just try to submerse myself in it.” The park is also a stop during the annual New River Birding and Nature Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary this May. “This habitat not only provides the breeding space for these guys, but the boardwalk and nature trails that are there allow bird watchers to be able to get in there, see them, hear them singing, and watch them in all their activities,” said Rachel Davis, a coordinator and guide for the New River Birding and Nature Center. Whether you’re looking for hawks, woodpeckers, flycatchers, wood thrush, or one of at least 15 species of warblers, the park is particularly active during migration seasons. Smith Mountain Lake (Smith Mountain Lake, Va.)įrom the forest to the wetlands, you’ll find yourself surrounded by calling birds in Wolf Creek Park. ![]() James River Park System (Richmond, Va.).The parkway also runs by several cultural touchstones, including Mabry Mill and the Blue Ridge Music Center, a performing arts center dedicated to preserving regional mountain music. Pisgah Trail to the idyllic Apple Orchard Falls. Along the way, visitors can access a range of scenic hiking options, from the summit views of Mt. ![]() ![]() Snaking 469 miles through the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, this storied road will take you to some of the most iconic natural landmarks in the region, including Mount Mitchell, Whitewater Falls, Linville Gorge, and the New River. There’s a reason the Blue Ridge Parkway is regularly the most-visited national park in the country. Keep reading to get the scoop on this year’s winners. In our annual readers’ choice awards, we highlight your picks for the top trails, towns, events, craft beverages, and outfitters in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. With that in mind, we once again asked you to tell us what you love the most. Despite continued uncertainty, the region’s scenic spaces, big adventures, and independent businesses have been there to help us follow a path towards brighter days. After another tough year, the best of the Blue Ridge has helped us all persevere. ![]()
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