アムハースト郡のおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

Bald Knob is accessed after 2 miles of hiking on the Appalachian Trail, a consistent hike up surrounded by forest with periodic views of the mountains along the way. Contrary to its name, this 3976 ft high summit is not actually a knob or a bald, instead it is a rocky summit, but it’s still a great place to appreciate stunning views of the National Forest.

This is an old hotel trail, that makes a loop with Appalachian Trail around Cole Mountain. The trail is wooded, offering views of Rock Branch Valley between the trees. There are campsites and a shelter along the way for those who wants to make an overnight trip.

Cole Mountain is a pasture-like summit that offers open stuning views of the valley covered by forest. The Appalachian Trail leads you through the woods and meadows to reach the summit; as the trail is very popular with backpackers, it’s very well marked and there is a shelter along the way.

Otter Creek Trail stretches all the way from the Otter Creek Recreation Area to the James River Parking Area on the eastern banks of the river. The path basically runs parallel to Otter Creek and the Blue Ridge Parkway the entire time, but the trail it is entirely surrounded by a dense forest, so you don't even realize how close you are to civilization the entire time. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. There are some campsites along the trail, but most people decide to trek to and from the lake as a day hike.

Otter Creek is known for its multitude of beaver dams and beaver activity, but no dam in the area is as impactful as the man-made Otter Lake Dam. The dam controls the flow of water from the 7-acre lake into Otter Creek towards the James River. The dam creates a sort of cascade that is picturesque all months of the year.

Fed by Otter Creek and flowing into the James River, Otter Lake is a popular fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking spot near Monroe, Virginia. There are a couple different trails accessing the lake, but most people access the area from the 63.8 mile marker on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Otter Creek Campground and Recreational Area offers a multitude of amenities and is a popular stop for those interested in the history of waterways in Virginia.

Mount Pleasant Scenic Area is a great place to watch wildlife and hike in the woods. Several trails start from the parking lot, including the Henry Lanum Trail. The last trail goes up to the top of Mount Pompey and continues along the ridge with views of the surrounding mountains. Mount Pleasant, on the other hand, is an ideal place for lunch.