Elyse ClarkExplorer

A hike to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain will not only put you at the highest point in Shenandoah National Park (4050'), but you'll have a 270 degree view perfect for a sunset. This moderate hike is located at MP 45.6 on the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, so you'll have to pay a $20 entrance fee (valid for 7 days) per car to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. There...

From the Dinis car park just off N-71, follow the flat Muckross Lake Loop trail towards Dinis Cottage. The path skirts around Muckross Lake until you arrive at Dinis Cottage, which is a tea room open during the summer season that has hundreds of rhododendron of different colors blooming in early summer. Just before the cottage, there is a sign marking a trail that goes back to the Old Weir Brid...

Fort Sumter is a sea fort out on an island in the middle of Charleston Harbor and is a great place to visit if you like history and/or exploring ruins.  The National Park Service collaborates with Fort Sumter Tours, so you will have to book a boat tour with this company to visit the fort. Tickets are $21/adult and there are three tours a day that depart from Liberty Square by the South Carolina...

From the parking area at Turk Gap (MP 94.1), cross over the Skyline Drive.  The Appalachian Trail (AT) intersects right here, and take the AT south by taking the trail on the left.  After 0.2 miles you will turn right off of the AT onto the blue-blazed Turk Mountain Trail.  The trail junctions mentioned above are well marked with stone posts.  The Turk Mountain Trail descends down into a saddle...

Though only 0.75 mi (1.2 km) to the summit, this hike gains over 1100 feet (340m) on the ascent to the top of Sugarloaf Hill of the Knockmealdown Mountains. Park at the Bay Lough parking area on R668 near the "Vee". Cross the road and ascend the hill by staying on the apparent path to the right of the county wall (stone wall). The path is very rocky and steep the whole way up the hill, and re...

Take the Rim Trail in Hocking Hills State Park, which descends into the deep gorge and takes you alongside a stream as you head towards a number of cascades and interesting rock faces. Rim Trail can be linked to Cedar Falls, as well, or from the Upper Falls you can take Grandma Gatewood Trail for a 6 miles trail through the park. This is the site of the annual Hocking Winter Hike in January, w...

Before you head out, check the status of the Blue Ridge Parkway (it periodically closes during the winter).  The entire Bluff Mountain Trail is a 7.1 mile trail that traverses the Doughton Park Area along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  To do this particular hike, park at the bathrooms in the Doughton Park parking area immediately off the parkway at MP 241.  There is a small trail to the left of the ...

The 66' Cascade Falls located in Giles Count is arguably one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Virginia. This classic hike is 4.0 miles and gains 800' in elevation. Located in Pembroke, Virginia, access the trail head by taking Cascade Drive (VA-623) off of US-460 and drive 3.3 miles to the parking lot. Hikers must register their vehicle and pay $3.00 to access the day use area. Once you pa...

There are many trails in the area so here is a map to start out because it can get confusing:http://gilescounty.org/images2/Map-Town%20Farm-Hiking%20Trails%20%282010%29.pdf.From the parking area, keep to the left side of the stream and head up the gravel road. You'll soon come to the Mill Creek dam, which has a shelter and picnic area. Continue to stay to the left of the stream, as the gravel ...

Linville falls is one of North Carolina's treasures and perhaps the most photographed water fall in the state. Bring the whole family out and explore the area surrounding the falls. There are about 4 total miles of trails meandering around and through the gorge and right up to the falls. There are plenty of picnic spaces and large flat rocks near the creek where you can relax, take in some sun,...

This is a strenuous 4.5 mile hike beginning from the Lower Parking Lot in Stone Mountain State Park (for a 5.2 mile hike, begin at the Upper Parking Lot). From the lot, take the trail by the bathroom. Keep right at the first trail intersection, then left at the second trail intersection to stay on the orange circle-blazed trail. You'll soon pass the Hutchinson Family Homestead, over a century ...

From the Fern Creek Trailhead this is a 2.0 mile out and back hike to Diamond Point. The trail is relatively flat with minimal elevation gain and has a bridge stream crossing. When you arrive at the sign stating "Climber's Access", take a short side trip here to see the views of the gorge. Continue a bit further to the Diamond Point sign. Here is a good spot to rest before you turn around. Try ...

This 10.8 mile loop is a very demanding, but very rewarding hike that will take most of the day to complete. The hike can be started from many different locations but in this write-up it starts at the Saddle Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the loop is in the counter-clockwise direction.From the Saddle Overlook take the trail to the right of the parking area, which ascends quickly into th...

This trail in Burren National Park traverses the limestone pavement typical of the Burren and summits Mullaghmore Mountain with a beautiful view of the unique geology of the area. This loop climbs 140 m (460 ft), is 7.5 km (4.7 mi), will take about 3 hours, and is difficult due to the rocky and pitted nature of the landscape.Burren National Park is in northern Co. Clare. To get to the lay-by f...

With the George P. Coleman bridge spanning the width of the York River, a fishing pier, and numerous rock jetties, Yorktown Beach is a great location for photographing sunrises or sunsets. There is a nice brick riverwalk path to walk along, or sandy areas to sit.To get the full Coleman Bridge in your photo, head out to the edge of the fishing pier and use a wide angle lens and slow shutter spee...

Starting from the Mammoth Cave Visitor's Center, take the "Historic Entrance" trail that descends down the hill between the Visitor's Center and the Mammoth Cave Hotel. After 0.2 miles you will reach the historic entrance of Mammoth Cave on your right side. You cannot go in the cave without a guided tour, but you can walk down and look at the entrance.  The trail splits into two trails at the h...

This unique peak, also known as the Big Pinnacle, is in Pilot Mountain State Park.  From the main parking area on top of the mountain on Pilot Knob Park Road, you can first view the Big Pinnacle from the overlook attached to the parking lot.  The prominent mountain behind the Big Pinnacle is Hanging Rock.  Walk towards the bathrooms and on your right side will be the trailhead for the Jomeokee ...

Lewis Ginter has over 2 miles of pathways to follow through more than a dozen themed gardens including a Children's Garden, Rose Garden, Asian Garden and a conservatory. Admission for adults is currently $13.  Throughout the year there are various events.  In April-June are the "Million Blooms" which includes daffodils, tulips, roses, and more.  From mid-April to mid-October there is a butterfl...

If visiting Magnolia Plantation and Gardens for the day, consider paying the extra $8 admission to walk around the Audubon Swamp Garden.  Parking for these gardens is on the way out of Magnolia Plantation on the left side.  The trail begins to the left side of the parking area, and you will have to enter the code given to you at the admissions office to open the gate and enter the swamp.  Immed...

**The road to Nuttallburg is part gravel and only wide enough for one car. Take caution driving along this road-you may have to back up some if you meet another car. Nuttallburg is an old coal mining town that once thrived in the early 1900's, but fell into ruin and then was restored by the National Park Service in the early 2000's. Starting from the parking lot, take the Tipple Trail (0.6 mile...

Maryland Heights is at the convergence of Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, as well as the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. The Appalachian Trail and C&O Canal Towpath are also easily accessible from the trailhead parking lot. The parking lot holds about 16 cars and is between Locks 33 and 34, or approximately mile 61 of the C & O Canal Towpath. The hike starts on the opposite side o...

There are numerous parking lots and street parking available around Smale Riverfront Park. Start your walk on the side closest to Paul Brown Stadium (where the Cincinnati Bengals play).  From here you can take a minute to sit on the large swings that look out over the river.  Continuing along the river, walk up the stairs to the Roebling suspension bridge. You can walk all the way across the br...

Starting at the Torc Waterfall parking lot off of the N71 road, follow the trail to the waterfall, which is only about a 4-5 minute walk from the road. This 70+ waterfall is surrounded by lush green vegetation as it tumbles over a few cascades. Continuing up the stairs to the side of the waterfall, you will walk through the forest until you come to a view of Muckross Lake in the middle of a swi...

This unique hike on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park is 2.4 miles round trip with an 835' elevation gain, and leads you to two viewpoints as well as a cool rock outcrop.Access this hike from the Compton Gap parking area (elevation 2,145') on the Skyline Drive at Mile 10.4. Cross the Skyline Drive and take the white-blazed Appalachian Trail south for a moderate but rocky 0.8 mil...