Connect With Us
Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube Instagram

Kurt’s Hikes

CURRENT Kurt’s Hikes

A Walk in Record Snow

From home in Southwest Roanoke to the Roanoke City Market area and back. About 6 miles.

A Hike and – Gasp – an INDOOR Lunch

Sharp Top/Harkening Hill/Johnson Farm at the Peaks of Otter at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. 7 miles.

Campfires in the Snow: Dryer Lint is Overrated

Appalachian Trail from Va. 614 north to Bryant Ridge Shelter and back. 6.4 miles.

The Graffiti at Hay Rock

Appalachian Trail from U.S. 220 south to Hay Rock and back. 8 miles.

Osage Oranges and River Views

Several trails in the Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. About 5 miles.

Current Issue

Left: Snow blankets the war memorial and old post office in downtown Roanoke. Right: Neighbor Kurt Navratil.

A Walk in Record Snow

From home in Southwest Roanoke to the Roanoke City Market area and back. About 6 miles.
Gail Rheinheimer looks out over the view from Sharp Top.

A Hike and – Gasp – an INDOOR Lunch

Sharp Top/Harkening Hill/Johnson Farm at the Peaks of Otter at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. 7 miles.
Left: Kurt and Cookie on the trail. Right: The struggling campfire.

Campfires in the Snow: Dryer Lint is Overrated

Appalachian Trail from Va. 614 north to Bryant Ridge Shelter and back. 6.4 miles.
Kurt and Gail Rheinheimer

The Graffiti at Hay Rock

Appalachian Trail from U.S. 220 south to Hay Rock and back. 8 miles.
Gail pauses among osage oranges in Wye Island NRMA.

Osage Oranges and River Views

Several trails in the Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. About 5 miles.
VIEW MORE

Departments

At Coopers Rock State Forest, new Stargazer cabins invite guests to look up through skylights and telescopes.
Country Roads

Even Closer to Almost Heaven

New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.

June 29, 2026
©Duncan Seaman
Country Roads

A Mountain Tradition Turns 90 

Visitors flock to Galax, Virginia, each summer for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, a days-long celebration of Appalachian music.

June 29, 2026
Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

June 29, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS