Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park spans Maryland, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. Within this sprawling park, the wildly popular Billy Goat Trail branches into three sections — A, B, and C. As of November 2023, Section B is closed due to erosion and trail damage. Even with this section closed, Billy Goat Trail remains “one of the busiest trails in the D.C. area.”
What brings so many hikers to this trail? Visitors report enjoying the challenge of navigating rock scrambles while traveling along the scenic Potomac River. If you’re planning a trip to Billy Goat Trail, discover what you can expect there with this helpful photo guide.
This trail in New York’s Catskill Mountains is just a few miles outside the busy, touristy town of Woodstock. The key to the trail’s popularity is in the name: that overlook means stunning and far-reaching views. Especially if you visit in the fall. Your 2.3-mile (4.6-mile roundtrip) walk pays off in letting you stand above a sea of golden leaves. Of course, I’m sure springtime green wouldn’t be bad, either.
Allow at least three hours for this moderately challenging hike through a mixed deciduous forest featuring maples and oaks. The trail may be a bit crowded, especially on weekends. Your leashed dog can also enjoy hiking the Overlook Mountain Trail. April through November are the best months to go. Here are some additional details to help you plan your trek.
Countless wonders decorate the Appalachian Trail. Along the 2,190 miles of path, incredible spots like Clingmans Dome and The Pinnacle invite hikers to marvel at nature’s beauty. Visitors might even see some adorable animals roaming the trail. While all of these Appalachian attractions are worth seeing, not everyone can dedicate the time needed to tackle an over 2,000-mile hike. Some people are simply looking for a quality day hike. If you’re one of those people, you’ll want to make a trip to Virginia’s McAfee Knob.
According to Roanoke Outside, McAfee Knob is the Appalachian Trail’s “most photographed site.” Hikers who want to snap their own photo of this glorious destination will need to prepare for a roughly four-hour adventure. Before you make the trip, check out these tips for completing the McAfee Knob hike.
Why do you like to hike? Do the gorgeous views draw you in? Are you a fan of the peace and quiet found deep in the woods? Or maybe you enjoy getting some fresh air while exercising. Whatever your reason for hiking is, if you’re like most people, the creepy crawly critters found outside can bring the fun of hiking to an abrupt end.
While some people find the world’s insects and arachnids utterly fascinating, many others can’t help but fear spiders. Even lifelong hikers aren’t immune to arachnophobia. If you’re afraid of spiders and don’t want them to ruin your hike, arm yourself with knowledge before your next outdoor adventure. Here’s Outdoors Wire’s guide to America’s two most common scary spiders and what to do if you get bitten.
Photo by BrunoSchalch
Black widow spider
Black widow spiders live throughout the United States, but they prefer warmer regions further south. You’ll recognize the black widow by the bright red or orange pattern on its abdomen. Black widow bites can cause pain, muscle aches, nausea, and more. These bites can be fatal for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. If a black widow bites you, see a doctor for treatment. WebMD also recommends taking affected children to the emergency room.
Photo by Lisa Zins
Brown recluse spider
Sometimes called a violin spider, the brown recluse spider is characterized by its light bright color and violin-shaped body. The species prefers environments in the southern and western U.S., but it has also spread to the North. These venomous critters usually keep to themselves but will bite if provoked. Even if you don’t initially experience pain from the bite, you’ll want to see a doctor just in case. If left untreated, the bite can cause pain, develop into an ulcer, or lead to fever, chills, and (very rarely) seizures.
As much as we might wish for it, most of us can’t be on vacation every day. For the majority of the year, we have to settle for making the most of our weekends. This presents a unique challenge for outdoorsy types. When you crave adventure, it can be difficult to fit all your activities into a day or two. This is where one-day adventures come in clutch.
If you want to maximize your free time, keep a bucket list of one-day outdoor excursions. Are you curious to try a new hiking trail? Add it to the list. Want to see a new side to your state’s scenery? Plan a day trip. And if you can’t decide which activity to try next, peruse this list of one-day outdoor adventures to keep your weekends fun and active.
If you’re planning to travel along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway this fall, scenic views are probably your top priority. Come autumn, the region’s forested ridges transform into a colorful spectacle that visitors can’t help but marvel over. While fascinating stops and lovely overlooks abound on this 469-mile parkway, adventurers seeking an unforgettable hike will want to make a detour to this trail just six miles from milepost 27.
A visit to the Crabtree Falls Trail will find you traversing an idyllic path through the Virginian wilderness. The roughly 3.5-mile trail wanders through the woods and across a bridge before reaching a glorious waterfall consisting of “five major cascades.” Get a glimpse of these incredible sights and plan your trip with this photo guide to Virginia’s Crabtree Falls Trail.
Get back to nature before winter comes calling. Cold temperatures will arrive faster than you think, and the frosty weather will have all but the bravest hikers cooped up indoors. So, why not enjoy the fall foliage and autumn breezes while they’re here?
There are so many ways for you to make the most of this season. There are camping trips to go on, road trip routes to explore, and even some surprisingly scenic swamp tours to try. Of course, if you’re reading this article, you’re probably just looking for some hiking trails that provide quality views of colorful foliage. We get it. So, without further ado, here are six of the best cozy fall hikes in the United States.
In Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, the bear population is growing faster than the human population. Hokkaido makes up 22% of the country’s land area, but its roughly five million citizens account for less than 5% of Japan’s population. That’s good news if you like to get outside and enjoy uncrowded hiking trails, rivers, and lakes. Hokkaido offers almost any landscape you could want, from flower fields in summer to incredible snowfall in winter. And after an active day, you can relax in one of the island’s 251 onsen, or hot springs areas. You might even see a bear. Get inspired for your Hokkaido adventure with this list of 10 outdoorsy activities to try.
It’s hard to sleep in when you’re staying in a hotel overlooking one of Japan’s most beautiful lakes. Especially in summer, when the sun rises around 4:30 a.m. and brings shifting colors, jumping fish, and diving osprey.
Lake Shikaribetsu is the highest-altitude lake in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. Tucked up in the Daisetsuzan mountain range, it was formed by a volcanic eruption damming the Yanbetsu River approximately 30,000 years ago.
In addition to being a prime recreational area within Daisetsuzan National Park, the lake also attracts fans of “Spirited Away.” Its lake-bottom railroad tracks resemble those from the wildly popular 2001 anime movie. There was never actually a railroad going into the lake, though. Instead, the tracks help bring sightseeing boats ashore before the winter freeze.
The Appalachian Trail has quite a reputation. Its challenging terrain and magnificent views can be life-changing for a hiker. At 2,190 miles long, it’s also the world’s longest hiking-only footpath. As you might imagine, maintaining such a massive and popular trail is no small feat.
That’s where the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) comes in. The ATC protects the trail with help from the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and hundreds of thousands of supporters from various states and countries. The group’s work helps make the Appalachian Trail safe for hikers and local wildlife.
Learn more about this beloved hiking destination with Outdoors Wire’s list of five fascinating facts about the Appalachian Trail.
