Explore 51 of Virginia's best options for short walks, hiking excursions, and backpacking adventures! From its lowest point at sea level to its loftiest mountain more than 5,000 feet high, Virginia south of US 60 is an unparalleled region. The terrain is diverse and beautiful, and the plant- and wildlife are varied and abundant. To truly see and appreciate the land's natural wonders, a person should travel on foot. In the east, walk for miles upon quiet beaches or hike across Tidewater lands preserved for migrating birds. Upon the rolling piedmont of central Virginia, discover historic sites from the days of the Civil War, as well as hikes around lakes both large and small. To the west, negotiate the ups and downs of the Blue Ridge region, where the rewards are well worth the effort. Gaze at wave after wave of Southern Appalachian ridgelines and at dozens of waterfalls that gush down steep slopes. Plus, hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail create opportunities for backpacking. In Hike Virginia South of US 60, expert hiker and naturalist Leonard M. Adkins helps you experience the joys of walking and hiking throughout the area. The award-winning Virginia author spotlights 51 trails that traverse more than 400 miles. Routes range from easy walks on level ground to ambitious, multi-day backpacking excursions over rugged terrain. Each entry includes full-color maps and photographs, as well as driving directions and trail descriptions. Leonard also includes his fascinating insights on each site's history and culture, plus vital at-a-glance information about distance, hiking time, and elevation gain. Inside You'll Find 51 hikes-popular trails and hidden gems-covering over 400 miles Short walks, day hikes, and backpacking excursions Full-color maps and photographs Trail information chart with key details about every featured hike

Stunning full-color photography Nearly 100 species profiled Additional 60 species cited with respect to their distinguishing features Profiles include locations along Appalachian Trail where flowers may be seen

Your Comprehensive Guide to the AT's Best Day Hikes From Maine to Georgia, the nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail is an iconic destination. Whether you're an experienced hiker or a casual explorer, let Best of the Appalachian Trail: Day Hikes guide you along the way. Summit the iconic Katahdin in Maine, explore Pennsylvania's Chimney Rocks, splash in Tennessee's Laurel Fork Gorge and Falls, and find out where Georgia's Blood Mountain gets its name. Appalachian Trail experts Leonard M. Adkins and Victoria and Frank Logue have carefully selected their top 144 hikes-ranging from less than 1 mile to 11 miles-and present them for you to experience and enjoy. Trail difficulty ratings and profiles, which include point-by-point descriptions of each hike, help to prepare you for what's ahead. Trailhead maps and driving directions are provided to get you where you need to go. Plus, fascinating flora, fauna, and history tidbits entertain and educate you along all 144 hikes throughout the 14 states of the AT. Discover the best day hikes in this useful guide to the beloved long trail.

Explore 51 of Virginia's best options for short walks, hiking excursions, and backpacking adventures! From the craggy summits of the Allegheny Mountains to the soft shores of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia north of US 60 is an unparalleled region. The terrain is diverse and beautiful, and the plant- and wildlife are varied and abundant. To truly see and appreciate the land's natural wonders, a person should travel on foot. In the eastern coastal plain, walk for miles upon quiet beaches, and see herons and egrets as they fish in swamps, ponds, and slow-moving streams. Upon the rolling piedmont of central Virginia, pass between grassy meadows with open views and mixed hardwood forests. Trails in the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains descend past waterfalls into valleys and coves. The mountains of western Virginia are the least populated. Here you'll find the most isolated and quiet hiking and have the best chance of viewing the state's abundant wildlife. Plus, hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail create opportunities for backpacking. In Hike Virginia North of US 60, expert hiker and naturalist Leonard M. Adkins helps you experience the joys of walking and hiking throughout the area. The award-winning Virginia author spotlights 51 trails that traverse more than 360 miles. Routes range from easy walks on level ground to ambitious, multi-day backpacking excursions over rugged terrain. Each entry includes full-color maps and photographs, as well as driving directions and trail descriptions. Leonard also includes his fascinating insights on each site's history and culture, plus vital at-a-glance information about distance, hiking time, and elevation gain. Inside You'll Find 51 hikes-popular trails and hidden gems-covering over 360 miles Short walks, day hikes, and backpacking excursions Full-color maps and photographs Trail information chart with key details about every featured hike

Hike the AT, and Get to Know Its Nature The Appalachian Trail's soaring elevations and precipitous terrain are complemented by lush vegetation, abundant wildlife, and some of the most beautiful views in the world. You can conquer part or all of the AT on foot. Along the way, immerse yourself in its nature. Leonard M. Adkins has thru-hiked the AT five times, and he has spent countless hours studying it. Now, he's sharing his expertise with you. Nature of the Appalachian Trail is an overview of more than 2,000 miles worth of information! There's no need to shoulder dozens of different books in your backpack. This comprehensive naturalist's guide includes a look at the mountains' history, a study of the land's geology, and detailed information about the trail's birds, mammals, trees, flowers, reptiles, amphibians, and more. Inside you'll find: Complete overview of the entire trail Detailed guide to its flora and fauna In-depth discussion of the region's history and geology Expert insights from a professional naturalist Nature of the Appalachian Trail is your visitor's companion to unbroken forest from Georgia to Maine. It is applicable to the states of Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Your Comprehensive Guide to the AT's Best Overnight Hikes From Maine to Georgia, the nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail is an iconic destination. Whether you're an experienced backpacker or a casual explorer, let Best of the Appalachian Trail: Overnight Hikes guide you along the way. Traverse Virginia's Three Ridges, enjoy North Carolina's Mount Cammerer Loop, and summit Vermont's Killington Peak. Appalachian Trail experts Leonard M. Adkins and Victoria and Frank Logue have carefully selected their top 64 hikes-ranging from 10 to 30 miles-and present them for you to experience and enjoy. Trail difficulty ratings and profiles, which include point-by-point descriptions of each hike, help to prepare you for what's ahead. Trailhead maps and driving directions are provided to get you where you need to go. Plus, fascinating flora, fauna, and history tidbits entertain and educate you along all 64 hikes throughout the 14 states of the AT. Discover the best overnight hikes in this useful guide to the beloved long trail.

A concise guide to the best day hikes along the entire Appalachian Trail. Summit the iconic Katahdin in Maine, explore Pennsylvania's Chimney Rocks, splash in Tennessee's Laurel Fork Gorge and Falls, and find out where Blood Mountain got its name in the new edition of Best of the Appalachian Trail: Day Hikes by Victoria and Frank Logue and Leonard M. Adkins. This is the most comprehensive and useful guide to this beloved long trail. The book details hikes in each of the 14 states that the Appalachian Trail passes through; previews the flora, fauna, and history of the A.T.; and offers point-by-point descriptions of each hike with trailhead directions. Hikes range in length from less than 1 mile to 11 miles.

Experience sleeping under the stars on the Appalachian Trail with this guide. Hikers can traverse Virginia's Southern Shenandoah, enjoy North Carolina's Mount Cammerer Loop, and summit Vermont's Killington Peak with Best Hikes of the Appalachian Trail: Overnight Hikes by Victoria and Frank Logue and Leonard M. Adkins,the most comprehensive and useful guide to the best Appalachian Trail overnight hikes. This new edition includes new overnight hikes, as well as updated trail information. Each hike profile contains driving directions to the trailhead; a preview of the flora, fauna, and history hikers will encounter on the trail; and hike difficulty ratings.

The Roanoke Times calls Leonard M. Adkins "a great hiking writer," and for this edition of Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in Southern Virginia he has thoroughly updated all of the hike descriptions. Working in concert with the administrative personnel of the many national forest ranger districts, state parks, national wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, and national parks, he re-hiked many of the trails, and four of them are so completely different that they qualify as entirely new outings. Closed services and facilities have been deleted, new ones have been added, and relevant Web sites are now included in the contact information.

This comprehensive guidebook provides a detailed description of every official National Park Service trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But that's just the beginning: veteran hiker Leonard M. Adkins includes information on every trail that touches the parkway, including the Appalachian Trail and other public pathways on national park, state park, national forest, municipal, and private lands, along with citations for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Far more than a guide to the trails, this book will help you plan your whole trip. It's the perfect companion for your next parkway adventure. Includes: every public trail along the parkway GPS coordinates and 72 maps 255 total trails, including 12 new trails since the last edition trail length and difficulty points of interest wheelchair accessibility a short history of the parkway and region campgrounds and lodges public restroom locations elevation change charts for cyclists tunnel heights for RVs wildflower bloom calendar selected sightseeing information on nearby towns

Limitless exploration and entertainment opportunities await travelers and residents alike, and this thoroughly revised edition of Explorer s Guide Maryland is the perfect companion for every excursion. The best restaurants, places to stay, and activities for every budget and interest are laid out in an easy-to-navigate guide as useful on the bookshelf as it is in the glove compartment. Descriptions and listings cover the whole state, including the quiet Eastern Shore; picturesque, historic Annapolis; the heart of downtown Baltimore; the many historical sites dotting the southern region; and the scenic northwestern mountains."

Whether you'd like to visit historic sites; take scenic drives or walking tours; go hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, or fishing; or take in museums small and large, author Leonard Adkins steers you to the best that West Virginia has to offer. The locals know where to find hidden swimmin' holes, waterfalls, and the best barbecue joints, and now you will too! Features detailed, opinionated reviews of dining and lodging places as well as tools to help you plan and make the most of your trip.

Leonard Adkins is your guide to the incredible variety of terrain to be found in southern Virginia, from sea level on the Atlantic Coast to the highest peak in the western mountains. Here you'll find hikes on sandy beaches, into dark swamps, beside rushing rivers, through open meadows, to historic sites and Civil War battlefields, and to alpine zones, mountain crests, and hidden valleys. Adkins covers the most popular hiking destinations in the region, but also leads you to little-known, out-of-the-way trails where crowds are at a minimum. An overview chart provides information on the trips at a glance and makes it easy to pick a hike. Each hike description includes: a topographic map; information on distance, difficulty, and rise; and a detailed route description. Adkins also provides information on the human and natural history you should encounter on the trail, with details and insights into the lives of the state's plants and animals.

For this new edition, Adkins has retraced every path and accounted for any changes tothe trails, making "the most essential hiking guide to Maryland" even better. Mountain treks or beach walks, remote western waterfalls or hidden trails, you'll find hikes for all skills and abilities.

Historic sites, scenic drives, walking tours, and museums from one-room personal ones to the world-class Huntington Art Museum are assiduously covered. Adkins steers you to places often known only to the locals, such as hidden swimmin' holes and cascading waterfalls. He has visited and stayed in hundreds of B&Bs, resorts, and lodges, and dined in scores of restaurants to provide you with opinionated and detailed profiles. West Virginia: An Explorer's Guide is the most thorough exploration of the state available, and Adkins has made sure that each and every destination is worthy of your time and vacation dollars.

History is around every curve in the road in Maryland. From the bustling streets of Baltimore to the Annapolis waterfront, from the western mountains to Chesapeake Bay and the barrier islands, Maryland offers dozens of appealing travel destinations. Leonard Adkins has journeyed the length and breadth of the state to recommend the best historic sites, attractions and activities. In addition he has sifted through thousands of options to point out the most appealing restaurants, B&Bs and inns and hotels. Features include: hundreds of dining and lodging reviews, from soft-shell crabs to four-star cuisine; opinionated listings of inns, B&Bs, hotels and vacation cottages; 15 up-to-date regional and downtown maps; an alphabetical "what's where" guide for trip planning; handy icons point out places that offer best value, cater to families, welcome pets, and provide handicapped access; and calendar guides to annual events and celebrations.

This completely updated third edition does much more than guide day hikers and adventurous backpackers into some of the most stunning countryside north of Route 60. It offers an in-depth exploration of the human and natural history that contributes to the compelling story of the region. You'll learn what events in human history occurred nearby and you'll understand how the landscape helped shape those events. From the rugged summits of the Allegheny Mountains to the gentle shores of Chesapeake Bay, this book explores more than 360 miles of pathways with up-to-date information on trail closures, route changes, and new territory, and offers a rich selection of hikes for every degree of physical stamina and time constraint.

WV native Leonard Adkins covers 400 miles of trails in this newly revised edition, taking you to Allegheny Mountain summits and back down to the banks of the Ohio River.Explore windswept plains and the hill country s hidden valleys, amble by rushing streams or crashing waterfalls, and discover many historic sites and Civil War battlefields along the way."