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Kurt’s Hikes

CURRENT Kurt’s Hikes

21 Switchbacks on a Sunny November Day

Appalachian Trail from James River north to Fullers Rocks and back. 7.4 miles.

What Makes The Greatest Day Hiker Just That

Andy Layne Trail to Appalachian Trail at Scorched Earth Gap; AT to just north of Lamberts Meadow Shelter; blue-blazed connector trail to AT along Tinker Mountain; AT across Tinker Cliffs back to Andy Layne and down. 10.7 miles.

Fall on the Great Trail

Appalachian Trail, U.S. 220 to Carvins Cove viewpoint and back. 6 miles

The Coldest Shelter in Virginia

Appalachian Trail from Va. 311 beyond McAfee Knob to Campbell Shelter and back. 8.8 miles.

Save for a Snowy Day

Chestnut Ridge Loop Trail near Roanoke Mountain. 5.4 miles.

Current Issue

Cookie exploring the edge, and the view over the James River and beyond.

21 Switchbacks on a Sunny November Day

Appalachian Trail from James River north to Fullers Rocks and back. 7.4 miles.
Left: The view along this old-and-new Appalachian Trail hike. Right: Gail and Cookie.

What Makes The Greatest Day Hiker Just That

Andy Layne Trail to Appalachian Trail at Scorched Earth Gap; AT to just north of Lamberts Meadow Shelter; blue-blazed connector trail to AT along Tinker Mountain; AT across Tinker Cliffs back to Andy Layne and down. 10.7 miles.
Carvins Cove Reservoir, in Roanoke County, Va.

Fall on the Great Trail

Appalachian Trail, U.S. 220 to Carvins Cove viewpoint and back. 6 miles
The view from McAfee Knob

The Coldest Shelter in Virginia

Appalachian Trail from Va. 311 beyond McAfee Knob to Campbell Shelter and back. 8.8 miles.
The Greatest Day Hiker of Them All, with puppy, seen through a somewhat smeared camera lens.

Save for a Snowy Day

Chestnut Ridge Loop Trail near Roanoke Mountain. 5.4 miles.
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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