JULY 15 -2024 Update- Natural Bridge State Park has an expanded Trail system, one takes you under the 215' tall natural wonder upstream to a set of falls. The Park is a favorite of Lodge guests There is an admission charge on this one. The 5 minute away Chessie Rails to Trails his a great easily accessible hike down the very scenic Maury River. Cycling isalso permitted on thistrail. We are happy to help you plan a guaranteed mememorable adventure.
Call for the latest water flow updates 1-800-882-1145. The further away ones may require a little weather research before heading out. Crabtree Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes in Virginia with various cascades dropping over 1700 ' in elevation. Cold Mountain hike in the National Forest offers one of the best 360 degree Vistas around at 4050' and includes a section of the Appalachian Trail. We have lots of maps, local knowledge and a detailed Trail and Outdoor book here at the Lodge that will help give you ideas in addition to those listed on our Outdoor Adventure page here. http://www.llodge.com/outdoor-adventures/hiking-adventures.htm Please call me direct for more personilized info for planning your stay with us. Lexington-Rockbridge County area and most of my spare time is spent enjoying nature or partaking in an outdoor activity. Please review all of these outdoor pages and e-mail me any questions that you may have. Plan your day or multiple day outings staying with us. I recommend trying several of them. We will get you started with a full breakfast from our Lodge's Breakfast Menu and go over any last second details to make sure you get the most out of your trip. John
Outstanding Introduction to Fly fishing Trips Now along with Trips for the more experienced types. We offer these daily, reservations are required. We have them available on Sundays which are great times for those pressed to get out during the week.
Trout Fishing and Relaxing!
My sister and I spent a week at Llewellyn Lodge to relax and enjoy some trout fishing. John was a wonderful host fixing us a great breakfast every morning followed by a fantastic day fishing. The accommodations were very comfortable and clean.
Jennifer T. Florida Jan 2017
July 10-2024, - Waterfall, streamside and Vista hikes are great right now and taking a picnic along is highly recommended. Our guided flyfishing trips www.vatrout.com are highly recommended this month . Our Intro to Flyfishing Trip is one of the best in Virginia.. A great little walking experience starting from the Lodge front door that our guests guests all love is the little Woods Creek Trail Loop in town which follows a dandy little stream, Start from the Lodge and do either 3.5 or 5 miles without leaving the town. Enjoy both VMI and W&L campuses as well wildlife along the way. The Chessie Trails to trails 5 minutes drive from the Lodge is a down and back trail which follows the very scenic Maury River- wildlife viewing is usually great. We have several more loop hikes that include portions of the Appalachian Trail. Cold- Mountain Old Hotel trail is one of the best trails in Va- 5.75 long in the George Washington National Forest -loop which includes 2 miles on the Appachian Trail- `1400' elevation change to summit at 4050' The breathtaking 360 deg view is awesome. We have plenty more in our hiking book. Crabtree Falls have 1700' of cascading waderfalls to enjoy, There are many other scenic trails to consider as well including many that follow streams in the National Forests very close to the Lodge.
Enjoy An Outstanding Day On The water
Flyfishing Trips Are Outstanding Now
Other Recommended Hikes This Month:
Cold Mt.-Old Hotel Trail mile Loop includes Appalachian Trail with 360 degree view at 4050' Elev. This one is hard to beat. better than anything on the Skyline Drive- 1400' elev. change
Crabtree Falls- Highest cascade of Falls E. of the Mississippi -scenic dive up the Blue Ridge Parkway to get there- can access the Appalachian Trail also-good workout.
Roaring Run Day Use National Forest Area- Features a nice little.6 mile walk up a high energy mountain trout stream to a set of 30' falls. Great for wildflower study, the fast water will energize you for sure.
Hidden Valley Trail- Easy hike in Bath County- National Forest hike up the Jackson River- lots of wildflowers and wild game- trout fishing. Enjoy the historic Warm Springs Pools on te way back as you take the healing waters in structures that back into the 1700's.
Cornelius Loop- This is a 7.5 mile hike that takes up one dandy little native Brook trout streams and brings you down another with the beautiful Apple Orchard Falls along the way. You also get to experience hiking on the Appalachian Trail
Rich Hole Wilderness- can be done as an up and back into black bear country for a great work out from the North end. Trail crosses North Branch, native Brook trout stream
Bear Loop Trail- Higher Elevation Vista Hike with 50 mile views of the Shenandoah Valley & Blue ridge Mountains to the East and Alleghenies to the West,
Outstanding Wildlife Viewing in The Area
(Richard Black Photography)
Guided Fly fishing trips on A Virginia Trout Stream Create Lifetime Memories. Summer is a GREAT TIME TO LEARN TO FLYFISH and our INTRO Trip For Beginners is the Best in the state. Check out the trips on www.vatrout.com.
Sporting Clays- Quail Ridge Shooting Clays are 8 minutes away. Learn to shoot clays also this month from the expert Andy Tubb at The Glorious Twelfth www.theglorioustwelfth.com - great 1 on 1 instruction from Andy who has 25 years coaching experience.
Two nice golf courses are closeby, we can get you on the private very scenic Lexington Golf and Country Club 3 minutes to the first tee box. The public Vista Links course is only 10 minutes from the Lodge. January and February always have a few golfing days.
Twin Rivers Canoe Livery in Buchanan 20 minutes down the road has some terrific canoe and kayak trips this month. The James River has year round water for canoeing.
Enjoy an outstanding trail ride with expert Deborah Sensabaugh at Virginia Mountain Outfitters which is only 15 minutes away.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL THIS MONTH- 12- 16 miles From the Lodge, we have several loop hikes which gives our hikers a chance to walk a part of it. One great thing about our Llewellyn Lodge location is the fairly short distance to the Appalachian Trail. I have several top of chart loop hikes that I recommend that include walking 1-5 miles on this nationally acclaimed linial park. One is a 5.75 one that rewards you with a 360 degree view at 4050' above sea level. Another 7 miler takes you up a beautiful native Brook trout stream, tyou then transverse the AT and complete the loop down another very scenic native trout stream. Yet another offering which can include the AT rakes you up the highest set of waterfalls East of the Mississippi. I'll be happy to help you plan a personilized 1 or multiple day adventure. John John 1-800-882-1145 or
By the numbers: The Appalachian Trail
2,180 - Total mileage of the AT between Springer Mountain, in north Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, in central Maine.
15 - Years it took volunteers to complete the AT.
31 - Number of hiking clubs that volunteer to maintain the AT from Maine to Georgia.
250 - Approximate number of overnight shelters along the length of the AT.
5 million - Number of footsteps it takes to hike the length of AT.
500-600 - Average number of thru-hikers who complete the entire trek each year.
2,300 - Estimated number of thru-hikers who started northbound on the AT in the spring of 2012.
28 - Percentage of hikers each year who set out to thru-hike the AT and succeed.
5-7 - Average number of months it takes to complete the entire AT.
79 - Earl Shaffer's age when he completed the AT for the third time in 1998.
14 hours, 50 minutes, 22 seconds - Time of Smokies ranger David Worth's 2011 record-setting run of the AT's 72 miles through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
46 days, 11 hours, 10 minutes - Women's overall speed record for hiking (supported) the AT, set in the summer of 2011 by Jennifer Pharr Davis.
80 days, 13 hours, 11 minutes - Women's record for hiking the AT (unsupported), set in 2001 by Elizabeth Thomas.
47 days, 13 hours, 31 minutes - Men's AT speed record (supported), set by Andrew Thompson in 2005
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