George Washington and Jefferson National Forests Highlights
Hike the Wild Oak Trail, a 26-mile loop that follows the North River before ascending to a ridgeline and the 4,351-foot summit of Little Bald Knob. Tackle the trail in a manageable five or ten-mile section for a dayhike, or make it a two- to three-day weekend backpacking trip.
Ascend 3,200-foot Great North Mountain on your mountain bike, riding a trail that’s a mix of gravelly Forest Service fire roads, ridgetop doubletrack, and some tricky sections of knotty singletrack. The nine-mile loop serves up 1,500 feet of vertical—not a climb for inexperienced or unfit riders.
Fish for wild trout in the forest’s hundreds of miles of streams and rivers. The fly-fishing on Jackson River offers you a shot at hefty rainbow and brown trout, while smaller mountain streams harbor native brookies. The forest’s ponds, lakes, and riverways are home to nearly 100 species of fish, so no matter where you dangle a line, you probably won’t go home empty- handed.
Paddle the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, languidly drifting through a bucolic landscape of pasture, limestone cliffs, forested slopes, and mountain views. Luray-based Shenandoah River Outfitters rents canoes, kayaks, and inner tubes.
Set off from milepost zero as the scenic 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway begins its journey south from Waynesboro, Virginia (also the southern end of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive). Spring and fall offer up a riot of seasonal colors, although traffic on the road may get congested, especially at weekends.
By Travel Expert:
Alistair Wearmouth
What You Can Do in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
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