Our Favorite Trails (and the Best Time of Year to Hike Them)

Once we moved to Virginia, it was really fun to explore the popular and not-so-popular trails near the Indigo House until we finally found our favorite trails. Without realizing it, we’d return season after season until we determined the best time of year to hike each one.

One of the best parts of being innkeepers is helping guests plan their trips, hikes included. That’s our hope here. While there are thousands of miles to hike, we’ve collected our favorite trails and organized them by the best time of year to explore. Of course, you can explore them anytime you visit, but we find this helps you see waterfalls at the peak or avoid the buggiest trails in July. 

Some of these trails are popular, some less so. Most have great views (something we love), water access, and are dog-friendly. In general, we recommend you arrive at the trailhead by 9 am for a morning hike to beat the crowds. Remember to recreate responsibly when you get out and explore.

Spring in the valley is gorgeous. It’s also the best time to hike waterfall trails! The Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains start to look and feel like spring in April, with true, luscious greenery in May (which is our rainiest month). Up in Shenandoah National Park, the mountain laurel and rhododendron are blooming. June is a gentle transition to summer, perfect for finding a swimming hole or creek for relaxing. This is also tick season. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on preventative and avoid tall grass. 

Wake up at the Indigo House to misty mornings, warming temps throughout the day, and moderate evenings, perfect for springtime adventures. 

Our Favorite Trails for Spring

• • White Rock Falls– Off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this almost 5-mile loop is a must hike!
  • Paul’s Creek– Just 10 minutes away and only 2 miles of hiking, this waterfall trail is a local’s favorite.
  • Big Run in Shenandoah National Park– A quiet and peaceful (almost 6-mile) loop, this one is excellent for the greenery. Half is uphill (and therefore, the other half is downhill); choose your direction based on preference. Lots of mountain laurel bloom in May! Additional fees may apply.
  • Turk Mountain in Shenandoah National Park– Another excellent sunset hike. We love this one because it’s only a few miles and has a viewpoint to the west and the east. Rock scrambling at the top. Additional fees may apply.
  • Jones Run Falls in Shenandoah National Park– A smaller waterfall than Crabtree (and a little easier incline), but lots of fun stream crossings and shallow pools to play in. About 3 miles. Additional fees may apply.
  • Crabtree Falls– Whether you cut the hike short or go the whole way, you have multiple opportunities to see the falls. It can be a hard, crowded path to the top, but well worth it. Additional fees may apply.
  • Three Ridges off the Blue Ridge Parkway– This almost 13-mile trail can take the full day and be fairly challenging, but the views from the ridgeline (before all the trees have filled in) are awesome.
  • Sugar Hollow Reservoir– Very popular for locals. This 4.6-mile out-and-back hike leads to Big Branch Falls with multiple stream crossings.

As June transitions to July, it really starts to feel like summer. That’s when you can expect long, warm days with varying amounts of humidity, evening fireflies, and hazy sunrises. August is consistently and reliably warm and humid, but there’s a special energy to wine country as the vineyards start harvesting their grapes. Now is a great time to hike shaded trails, paths with swimming holes or creek access, and trails at higher elevation (where the temps are cooler).

All summer long, you can also expect lingering sunrises, afternoon storms, wildflowers, and a few mosquitoes.

Our Favorite Trails for Summer

• • Stoney Creek Park Trail– A 2-mile gravel path alongside a creek with lots of benches to sit and birdwatch from.
  • Rockfish Valley Trails– Plenty of options based on your time and preferences. Camille Trailhead is our favorite because there are tons of water access spots for the pup(s). It’s also mostly shaded for parts of the day.
  • Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail– Bring a flashlight! Park at the East trailhead for closer access to the tunnel, which is cool thanks to the stone walls.
  • Sherando Lake Loop Trail– There are plenty of spots for a quick swim on the 2.5 mile loop. Additional fees may apply.
  • South River Greenway in Waynesboro– Easy, paved trail. When the water is high enough, you can float in inner tubes down the river! Grab lunch from Alex’s Taco Truck and frozen custard at Kline’s Dairy Bar while you’re in the area.
  • Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail in Piney River– Excellent for long-distance cycling, horseback riding, and flat trail runs. It is an out-and-back so you can turn around when ready.
  • White Rock Falls– Off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this almost 5-mile loop is a must hike!
  • Paul’s Creek– Just 10 minutes away and only 2 miles of hiking, this waterfall trail is a local’s favorite.
  • Jones Run Falls in Shenandoah National Park– A smaller waterfall than Crabtree (and a little easier incline), but lots of fun stream crossings and shallow pools to play in. About 3 miles. Additional fees may apply.
  • Sugar Hollow Reservoir– Very popular for locals. Swim at the Blue Hole or hike to the waterfall and relax in the creek.

Temperatures start to cool down in September and stay comfortable through October’s leaf changing. But fall is our busiest season, so be prepared for busier parking lots and crowded trailheads. This time of year, we love wooded trails with overlooks. If you want to avoid the crowds and have the amber sunrises to yourself, plan your visit for a weekday.

Our Favorite Trails for Fall

• • White Rock Falls– Off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this almost 5-mile loop is a must hike!
  • Dripping Rock South– An awesome overlook within the first 15 minutes! Parking is very limited.
  • Turk Mountain in Shenandoah National Park– Another excellent sunset hike. We love this one because it’s only a few miles and has a viewpoint to the west and the east. Rock scrambling at the top. Additional fees may apply.
  • Three Ridges off the Blue Ridge Parkway– This almost 13-mile trail can take the full day and be fairly challenging, but the views from the ridgeline (before all the trees have filled in) are awesome.
  • Humpback Rocks– Probably the most popular trail in the area. Take the longer route (about 4 miles) to avoid the crowds.
  • Blackrock in Shenandoah National Park– A short hike with a great view. Because of that, we love to bring dinner and eat at the summit or at one of the roadside overlooks during sunset. This one takes some time because it is a bit of a drive from the Indigo, but well worth it. Additional fees may apply.
  • Wintergreen Mountain Trails– Tons of mini hikes to try! We like to drive around and do a handful at a time.
  • Jack Albright Loop Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway– Start from the parking lot by going to the trailhead on the left. It’s a little over 3 miles and tends to be quieter since most people are going to Humpback Rocks. You can also do a stretch of the AT over to Glass Hollow Overlook.

Because the leaves have fallen by Thanksgiving, “stick season” runs from December through early April. Despite the appearance of winter, we’re still known to have some warmish days in December, March, and April. It seems January, February, and March are more likely to bring unpredictable snow, sleet, or an afternoon of flurries.

We stick to well-trafficked trails and shorter distances for this time of year.

Our Favorite Trails for Winter

• • Stoney Creek Park Trail– A 2-mile, easy walk along a gravel path. In case of snow, roads are typically clear and safe to drive, but this trail may not be plowed. 
  • Rockfish Valley Trails– Plenty of options based on your time and preferences, all less than 10 minutes away. In the case of snow, you may even find folks cross-country skiing.
  • Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail– Bring a flashlight! If you start at the East trailhead, there is less elevation. Roads are plowed in case of snow; this is a high-traffic trail on the weekends. 
  • Jack Albright Loop Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway– Start from the parking lot by going to the trailhead on the left. It’s a little over 3 miles. If the temps are freezing, check to see if BRP is closed first!
  • Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail in Piney River– About 40 minutes away, excellent for long-distance cycling, horseback riding, and flat trail runs. It is an out-and-back so you can turn around when ready. Roads are typically cleared in case of snow, but the path may not be.
  • Lower Shamokin Falls– About 12 minutes away, this moderate trail takes you through the woods, alongside a trickling waterfall. Conditions may freeze the water, and the trail is likely not plowed in the case of snow.