Elyse ClarkExplorer

A short 1.0 mile hike to the summit with 700’ elevation gain, the trail switchbacks steeply up to the exposed rocky summit. To the north you can see Sharp Top and Flat Top at the Peaks of Otter, and to the south you can see Pilot Mountain in North Carolina. The summit has many places to spread out and is a great place for a picnic. Once done exploring simply retrace your steps back down the tr...

Starting from the Flat Fork Ridge Recreation Area parking lot near the dam in Caesar Creek State Park, take the trail to the right of the parking lot if you're looking towards the lake. You will hike through the woods for a short period, then emerge onto the emergency spillway from the dam which impounds the lake.  At the emergency spillway you can look for fossils (https://www.theoutbound.com/...

The top of Apple Orchard Mountain is easily accessible via the Appalachian Trail. Access the trail at the Sunset Field Overlook at MP 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The concrete path will end shortly and turn into a blue blazed trail. Follow this for 0.25 miles until it intersects the Appalachian Trail. Turn right on the AT, and cross over the forest road. From here it is only a few switchback...

This hike begins in the parking lot for Cascade Falls. Keep left at the first and second intersections to stay on the Upper Trail. At the third intersection, stay straight (don't turn right) to stay on the Conservancy Trail.Follow the Conservancy Trail for 0.4 miles, and continue on it when it branches off to the left at a well-marked intersection. The yellow-blazed hike is fairly steep, but gr...

Located on Queer Creek in Hocking Hills State Park, the popular 50 ft-Cedar Falls still tends to be less crowded than Old Man's Cave. There are scenic views to be had year-round off of the stream-lined path, starting from the lower parking lot off of SR 374. For quicker access to the falls, start at the upper parking lot, nearby. A section of stairs, called the Democracy Steps, lead down to th...

Take Porters Creek Trail, a gravel road alongside Porters Creek. You will pass by an old farmstead and cemetery, as well as lots of wildflowers if you're out during the spring. In a mile, keep left, then in another half mile or so you should cross over a small (and somewhat harrowing) footbridge. The 40-ft tall Fern Branch Falls is less crowded than other falls in the park, and has open access...

Hawk's Nest State Park is a true gem in the New River Gorge area. It has a roadside overlook that looks out over a horseshoe bend of the New River with views of the Hawk's Nest Dam and of a railroad bridge across the river. From the parking area, simply walk about 200 feet out to the stone overlook.Although gorgeous at any time of day, this spot is perfectly oriented for sunrises (especially in...

This easy 3.0 mile hike begins at the Lower Trailhead Parking Lot at Stone Mountain State Park and includes a 400' ascent to two granite outcrops with nice views. This hike can be combined with the Stone Mountain Loop hike for a 6.5 mile strenuous hike.From the parking lot, walk towards the stream by the bathrooms to take the Stone Mountain Loop Trail. After 0.2 miles, intersect the Wolf Rock T...

If you're looking for a hike in the Roanoke area without the crowds that McAfee Knob draws, but still want a challenging hike with great views, try hiking to Hay Rock. This 7.5 mile round trip hike begins at the Park and Ride just off I-81 at the US-220 Troutville/Fincastle exit (150B). The gravel lot is by the first turn on your left after you cross under I-81, next to the Exxon. There is an...

From the main parking lot at Grandview's visitor center, follow the well marked paved trail about 0.1 miles to the Main Overlook. There is a large platform for viewing the New River here. A wide angle lens is best to photograph this large bend in the river.  There is another overlook in the park, the North Overlook, which also offers a panoramic view of the horseshoe bend in the New River. The...

This 6 mile drive is a great way to spend a scenic day in the Smokies. The road is open to cars only (no trucks or RVs) and runs one-way. There are no visitors centers after you head out, so be sure to bring everything you need along. The drive begins at the historic Ogle farmstead, which is also the location of the Rainbow Falls Trailhead (5.4 miles). Further along you will find the Trillium ...

Park at the Mount Marshall parking area at ~MP 15.6 on the Skyline Drive.  From the back of the parking lot, take the white-blazed Appalachian Trail north for a short 0.4 miles to a large rock outcrop with views south.  After finished exploring this outcrop, continue on the AT for another 0.1 miles to reach a second rocky outcrop with views to the northwest. This would be a perfect spot to watc...

With minimal elevation gain, this 3.2 mile hike can be done in a short amount of time. From the parking lot, take the trail to the right of the bathroom. There will be two trail intersections at 0.4 miles and 0.7 miles, both of which are well marked. Stay straight at both intersections to remain on the Long Point Trail. Near the end of the trail, you will descend fairly steeply through some thi...

From the parking area just off the Ring Road (Highway 1) near the town of Bifröst, the trail starts to the left.  It is a very short, steep hike up to the top of the crater, but there are stairs and boardwalks to aid the ascent.  At the top, there are wonderful views of the surrounding area and you can walk around the entire rim.  Exploring the crater takes about 15-20 minutes, so you could als...

Starting from the old store parking area at MP 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, follow the trail through a meadow past the campground amphitheater. After crossing the paved road to the campground, the trail will come to a T-intersection. Take the trail to the right for the shortest way to the falls.  The trail will descend steeply with a couple of switchbacks and some constructed stone steps. ...

To get to the trailhead parking lot: take Mineral Springs Road towards the community of Dune Acres. Just before you get to the guard shack for the community, turn onto the gravel road to the right - there will be signs indicating Cowles Bog Trail parking. Once parked, walk back towards the Dune Acres guard shack, then cross the road to begin the hike.  You will walk by a marsh for about 0.2 mi...

The trailhead for this hike is located near Lake Mývatn .  Take Road 863 towards Krafla power plant. After you pass under the power station's piping system, the parking area is up the hill and on your left.  If you reach the parking area for Viti Crater, you've gone too far.  The trail starts in the back of the parking area and heads towards the large brown-colored mountain in front of you.  Th...

From the visitor's center parking lot, take the path towards the lighthouse.  This unique 24m (~80 ft) tall lighthouse was built in 1917, then rebuilt in 1946.  The grounds surrounding the lighthouse consist of lava formations.  Depending on where you stand, you have views out to the Atlantic Ocean or back towards the Snæfellsjökull volcano.  Also along the short path to the lighthouse is a sma...

If you're looking for a longer hike in Congaree National Park than just the Boardwalk Loop, try adding another 2.0 miles to the Boardwalk Loop by hiking the Weston Lake Trail.   From the visitor's center, take the Boardwalk Trail and stay straight at the intersection with the Bluff Trail. The elevated boardwalk will turn into the low boardwalk. After 0.7 miles, the Boardwalk Trail will turn lef...

You can start walking on this well-graded rail trail either from Ansted or down by the New River at the Hawk's Nest Nature Center. If you start from the top you will lose a couple hundred feet in elevation and have to walk back up to your car (it is an easy walk though). Bikes are also allowed on this trail. It is easy to follow this trail, and you will cross two old train bridges, and old mill...

Lake Mývatn translates to "Midge Lake" and if you visit here in the summer there will be swarms and swarms of midges. You might want to wear something to cover your face. From the parking area, which is located just off Road 848 past the turn off for Dimmuborgir if heading away from Reykjahlíð, the trail begins at the gate (make sure you close the gate behind you).  This largely forested path b...

This walk is part of the 18km (11 mi) Coastal Path connecting the villages of Doolin and Liscanoor, and enables you to enjoy the coastal cliffs of County Clare without the crowds that the Cliffs of Moher draws or paying the entrance/parking fee for the Cliffs. The section from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher is 8km (5 mi) for a 16 km round-trip with 125 m (400 ft) elevation gain.Start at the vill...

Just off of Road 574 in Snæfellsjökull National Park, Saxhóll Crater is a short leg-stretcher.  Saxhóll Crater is estimated to have erupted 3,000 years ago, and much of the surrounding landscape is the result of that eruption.  The collapsed core of the crater is fairly deep, and the rim around the crater offers 360 degree views of the surrounding terrain of Snæfellsjökull National Park.  To re...

Most people drive the Ring of Kerry as a day trip from the town of Killarney, and it is best done in a clockwise direction to go the opposite way of tour buses. From Killarney take the N-71 through Killarney National Park, making short stops at the scenic Muckross House, Ross Castle, and Torc Waterfall on your way out of town. Continue on to Kenmare and from here take the N-70 to begin your loo...