Head down to the border of the Virginias for scenic views, rushing water, and relaxing getaways. “Virginia’s Mountain Playground”, Giles County, Virginia has over 65 miles of the Appalachian Trail and 37 miles of the New River Water Trail to explore.
Before your trailblazing adventures, stop by Tangent Outfitters to rent or buy equipment for your upcoming hiking, kayaking, or camping trip. Once you are well supplied, it’s trail time!
A stunning 66-foot waterfall awaits you in the Jefferson National Forest on the Cascades Falls Trail. With a 4.8 out of 5 trail rating, this easy to moderate out and back trail is a great place to begin your trip. Go any time of year to experience its wonder, as the frozen falls in winter are a sight to behold. Continue past the falls to Barney’s Wall to see 700-foot sheer cliffs with views of the New River Valley. If you are less eager to venture far off the beaten path, the Dismal Falls trail takes about four minutes to complete and is an easy way to take in water-over-rock scenery. Mill Creek Nature Park is also home to many waterfalls and offers miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Need more water? The New River Water Trail offers countless activities including award-winning fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, SUP, and swimming. It also connects with hiking trails for wildlife viewing, lodging, and dining options. Enhance your river trail experience by reaching out to local guides at New River Outdoor Company or New River’s Edge.
Sprinkled along the nearby Appalachian Trail are plenty of scenic overlooks full of breathtaking views. The risk is worth the reward on more challenging outlook routes such as Angel’s Rest, Kelly Knob, and Bald Knob. Take it easy on the 2.6 mile War Spur Trail and you can experience equally spectacular scenery without breaking as much sweat.
Take a Load Off
If you’re tired from gawking at waterfalls and scenic views all day, grab some grub at The Palisades Restaurant, Bluegrass BBQ, or The Bad Apple near the towns of Eggleston and Pembroke. Make it a multi-day experience and stay at Kairos Resort, where you can camp and tear through the trails on your dirt bike, ATV, or side-by-side! Mountain Lake Lodge, Inn at Riverbend, or one of the many cozy cabins in the area are also great options to hunker down in Giles.
Get out there and experience the waters and spectacular views Giles County has to offer!
