Any season is a perfect time for a family hike. Dress in layers if it's cool outside and be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Hiking is a great way to stay active and enjoy outdoor family time together.
One of our favorite trails in Lynchburg is the Alpine Trail at Riverside Park, located at 2238 Riverside Avenue. To get to the trail, walk on the paved trail behind the new playground, Sprayground and basketball courts. You'll see the entrance to the Alpine Trail near the Overlook.
The trail is a bit rugged in places so keep the little ones close to you. Keep your phone handy for photos of the James River, the mountains and wildlife on the trail. You may see birds and squirrels, butterflies and bees. If you're really quiet, you may even see some deer on the trail.
Here's some other great places to go hiking:
Virginia State Parks are among some of the best in the nation. The 41 parks offer outdoor fun at family-friendly prices. From the Eastern Shore to the mountains of Southwest Virginia, there's a park that's just right for your family's adventures. If you want to stay close to home, check out Smith Mountain Lake or Holliday Lake State Park, two of the parks closest to Lynchburg. Both offer hiking trails as well as seasonal swimming beaches, boat rentals, camping, and more.
If you kids like hiking in the woods, head to the Appalachian Trail for an exciting family adventure. Hiking a short section of the 2,190 mile AT will bring you face-to-face with nature. The AT stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. With nearly one-quarter of the AT's miles located in Virginia, there are many AT access points within an hour's drive. Some of our favorite spots to jump on the AT are: James River Foot Bridge off Route 501 near Big Island, Tye River parking lot on Route 56 in Montebello, Thunder Ridge Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and multiple parking areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.
Go for a hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Guide will help you choose the perfect family hike. Families with young children will love the Mountain Farm Trail at the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center at MP 5.9, Indian Gap at MP 47.5, and Otter Lake at MP 63.1 -- all easy hikes with lots to see. Teens and 'tweens will be challenged by Humpback Rocks Trail at MP 6.0, Apple Orchard Falls Trail at MP 78.4, or Sharp Top Trail at MP 86.0 -- one of the most popular hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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