The Perfect Pairing: 5 Outdoor Adventures in Virginia Wine Country

An aerial view of Crabtree Falls (source:Greg Cromer, VA123.com)

The Old Dominion state is making a name for itself in the wine world.  With more than 230 wineries, Virginia is also rapidly becoming one of America’s leading producers – making the state well worth the trip for any curious oenophile.  Virginia’s nine wine growing regions (and seven American Viticultural Areas) are also scattered over some of the state’s most breathtaking scenery – stretching from the Blue Ridge to the Atlantic coast.  So, if you are planning a wine country adventure in Virginia, don’t be afraid to think outside the vineyard.    

Northern Virginia Region

BIKE Northern Virginia’s scenic ‘Hunt Country,’ (aka wine country) on country roads winding past undulating pastures, sprawling vineyards, stone-wall-framed horse farms, and colonial- era towns --- all with the Blue Ridge as a backdrop.  The multi-use Washington & Old Dominion Trail stretches 44-miles from Arlington to Purcellville (Trail’s End Cycling Company www.trailsendcycling.com is just steps from the terminus of the W & OD in Purcellville and can arrange rentals, bike tours, or repairs).  For serious pedal pushers, Bike Washington has mapped out a formidable wine country ride – the 56-mile Blue Ridge Challenge, for details on the ride (including a map of the route and GPS coordinates) check out http://bikewashington.org/routes/bluerdg/.  

Shenandoah National Park (Source: NPS)

Shenandoah Region

BACKPACK the 196,000 backcountry acres of the Shenandoah National Park (www.nps.gov/shen/) on the park’s 500-miles of hikeable trails.  Backpackers are given free rein to explore almost every inch of the park’s backcountry wilderness – but visitors must obtain a backcountry permit (free of charge and available at park entrance or at headquarters) providing details of their intended route to park authorities and must follow Leave No Trace (http://lnt.org) guidelines for backcountry travel.  About 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT) also winds through the Shenandoah National Park – so there are plenty of options for day-hikers or thru-hikers. 

For an easy in-and-out backcountry trip begin at Elk Wallow Wayside (with parking lot, bathrooms, and store/snack bar) and follow the blue blazed Elk Wallow Trail out of the parking lot (for just over 100 meters) until you hit the white-blazed Appalachian Trail and hang a left (so that you are going downhill on the AT).  After about a half a mile, you will hit the blue-blazed Jeremy’s Run Trail.   Veer to the left and follow the Jeremy’s Run Trail downstream.  The trail parallels the stream but also crosses it regularly – so keep your eyes peeled for secluded summer swimming holes.  There are also plenty of options for cozy backcountry campsites along the Jeremy’s Run – and a waterfall about 5-miles down the trail.  (To return: follow the Jeremy’s Run Trail back upstream to the junction with the AT.  Follow the white-blazed AT uphill back to the intersection with Elk Wallow trail.  Hang and right at the Elk Wallow trail and walk just over 100 meters back to the parking lot where you began). 

Central Region

HIKE Virginia’s summit studded Religious Range, including the Cardinal, the Friar, and the 4,063-foot Priest, all in the relatively newly protected 6,000-acre Priest Wilderness in the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District (http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=77719) of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest.  There are plenty of campsites near the Priest shelter at the summit (accessible via the Spur Trail) and a number of options for climbing the peak too – beginning at either the upper or lower Crabtree Falls parking lots (or combining your hike with a visit to the falls and stretching your trip into a single or multi night backpacking loop).  Or, for serious bragging rights, begin at the Tye River and head to the summit on the Appalachian Trail (AT) – the climb is one of the longest and most formidable on the entire AT.   

Belle Isle State Park (Source: VA State Parks)

Northern Neck/George Washington Birthplace AVA

PADDLE the tidal wetlands of Virginia’s Northern Neck, a finger of land flanked by the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers studded with wildlife-rich natures preserves and well-mapped paddling trails.  For history buffs, the Northern Neck has another claim to fame – three of the country’s first five presidents were born in the region, including George Washington, James Madison, and James Monroe.  Belle Island State Park (www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/belle-isle.shtml), with seven miles of shoreline and access to Deep and Mulberry creeks, is an easy jumping off point for exploring the scenic waterways of the Northern Neck.  For more information on the region’s parks and water trails, check out www.northernneck.org/parks-nature-trails/. 

Eastern Shore AVA

BIRD the unique habitat of Virginia’s eastern shore (famously explored over 400 years ago by Captain John Smith) on the five-miles of hiking trails at Kiptopeke State Park (www.dcr.virgnia.gov/state-parks/kiptopeke.sthtml) – a hotspot for migratory birds along the Atlantic flyway (including charismatic birds of pretty like peregrine falcons, merlins and kestrels).  Or, just declare it a lazy beach day – Kiptopeke also has swimming beaches and recreational access to the Chesapeake Bay (rent a kayak or SUP from nearby SouthEast Expeditions www.southeastexpeditions.net).  

Kiptopeke State Park (Source: VA State Parks)