Road Trippin'

Road trip lovers, we know you want to see as much as you can while in the Heart of Appalachia, so we've pulled together four fantastic road trip itineraries that will create memories that will stay with you for years to come.

Natural Wonders Adventure

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The Heart of Appalachia is home to awe-inspiring geological and natural wonders that are oh so road trip-worthy. Let's go!

day BREAKS INTERSTATE PARK

1The first day begins at Breaks Interstate Park, home to Breaks Canyon, one of the deepest gorges east of the Mississippi River. Soak in all the views from Towers Overlook, then hike a few short trails with dreamy vistas, like the Tower Tunnel Trail.

Rent a pedal boat at 25-acre Laurel Lake or soar like an eagle on the Canyon Rim Zipline. At Rhododendron Restaurant, unwind on the outdoor deck or take a seat inside for stunning views of the gorge from behind dramatic floorto-ceiling windows.

Overnight in one of seven wooded park lodges. The park also has lakefront cabins, as well as tent and RV sites at the on-site campground. You may even want to stay the night in their new yurt! day DEVIL'S BATHTUB

2Make Devil's Bathtub your next stop. It's less than a two-hour drive south for a waterfall hike, which includes 12 creek crossings and a dip in an icy cold swimming hole. A few steps past the swimming hole is the curiously-named bathtub-shaped water basin. Park in designated areas, please.

NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK

Drive 30 minutes to Natural Tunnel State Park, home to the "Eighth Wonder of the World," as coined by former Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. Take the chairlift to the tunnel floor to ooh and ahh.

Ride the chairlift back up for a stroll to Lover's Leap Overlook for views into the naturallycarved tunnel from up high. Stay the night in one of the state park's cabins. day SAND CAVE

3Drive one hour west to Civic Park on the far east side of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. It's a four-mile ascent along dirt trails to reach the 100-foot-tall Sand Cave, a striking geological wonder tucked away within a leafy, deciduous forest.

WILDERNESS ROAD STATE PARK

Make Wilderness Road State Park your final stop. A fenced-in pasture allows up-close views of a small buffalo herd that depicts an era when bison ruled the land long before frontiersman Daniel Boone came to town. Rent bicycles from the visitor center to pedal along the Wilderness Road Trail. 

ROAD TRIPPIN'

Active Girlfriend Adventure N 2

For a girls' getaway, you could spa and shop, or better, you could get off the grid on a rugged ATV on the Spearhead Trails in the Heart of Appalachia. We know which option we'd choose. Buckle up, ladies!

day SOUTHERN GAP OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

1Get your getaway started with a full-day of offroading at Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure. Rent Side by Side UTVs for an unforgettable open-air ride on the Coal Canyon Trail, one of five Spearhead Trails in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.

Nosh on from-scratch pizzas and grinders at Bellacino's in Grundy, then settle in at one of five log cabins that sleep up to 10 people at Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure.

day BREAKS INTERSTATE PARK,

2It's an easy 30-minute drive to Breaks Interstate Park for miles of forested hiking trails across this 4,500-acre interstate park. For out-of-this-world views, hit up the Towers Trail and Overlook Trail, as well as the sensational Stateline Overlook.

Harness up! The Canyon Rim Zipline awaits. Enjoy unmatched views of Breaks Gorge, known as the "Grand Canyon of the South," as you soar along the dramatic canyon rim on just under a half-mile of high-flying line.

CLINCH RIVER ADVENTURES

A one-hour drive south leads to Clinch River Adventures for an afternoon of kayaking on the free-flowing Clinch River. A 90-minute or 3.5-hour self-guided paddle allows for exploration of one of the most biodiverse rivers in the world.

SUGAR HILL BREWING COMPANY

Toast a day well-spent at Sugar Hill Brewing Company with a refreshing pint and a Full Moo. You know, chips covered in beer cheese, smoked brisket, green onions and horseradish sour cream. Oh yes!

Get tucked in at the Western Front Hotel, a historic red brick inn that oozes Appalachian charm. The rusticchic vibe is off the charts. Get your game on in The Roost or toast up some marshmallows in The Backyard.

day LITTLE STONY FALLS

3An easy 30-minute drive leads to the trailhead within Jefferson National Forest for cascading Little Stony Falls. A short hike leads to the tumbling waterfall that boasts a crystal-clear watering hole.

FLAG ROCK RECREATION AREA

Have a picnic at Flag Rock Recreation Area and snap a selfie with the Woodbooger, well a statue of this notorious Bigfoot-like creature. He's said to roam the forests of Southwest Virginia. He's partial to Norton. In particular, Flag Rock.

If time permits, cap off the weekend with a vibrantly-colored sunset from atop High Knob Observation Tower. Cheers, ladies. 

Brew-Hoppers

Eager to sample a pint or two?

We've got you covered in the Heart N3

of Appalachia. Here's where to go for hops, hikes and more.

day FLAG ROCK RECREATION AREA

1Start in Norton at Legion Park, which sits just outside Flag Rock Recreation Area. Hike 1.5-miles to Flag Rock Overlook, if only to pose with the Woodbooger, a statue mere steps from the spectacular overlook.

Stop in for lunch and a pint or two at Sugar Hill Cidery, the only cidery in Southwest Virginia. A welcoming, dog-friendly outdoor patio awaits.

CLINCH LIFE OUTFITTERS

Make Clinch Life Outfitters your next stop for the day. Here, you can rent a single or double kayak for a paddle on the famed Clinch River.

Call it a day at Sugar Hill Brewing Company with favorites like Pretzel Chicken and Frito Pie, even Chicken and Waffles. Get tucked in for the night in a suite or studio at Mountain View Lodge in St. Paul.

day PINNACLE NATURAL AREA PRESERVE

2It's a 35-minute drive east to Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve along the stunning Heart of Appalachia route. You'll drive alongside some of the most beautiful scenery in the region.

At Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, an easy-going hike leads to tumbling Big Falls and the Pinnacle, a spectacular dolomite formation that rises 400 feet above Big Cedar Creek.

On the way to your next stop, take a break to pedal along a five-mile gravel stretch through Stuart Land & Cattle Company in Rosedale. Founded in 1774, this is the oldest continuously operated cattle ranch in the U.S.

COALTOWN TAPS

For dinner, look to Coaltown Taps. You'll find a full slate of thirst-quenching craft brews. They've got burgers and onion rings, too. Plus, boot-stompin' live music on Saturday nights.

JOURNEY CABIN

Get off the grid at Journey Cabin, a remote cabin overlooking the Clinch River. Located on a 40-acre farm in Pounding Mill, this charming cabin with a wrap-around porch provides an easy escape from the hustle and bustle of life

day MATTIE'S PLACE

3Rent a bike from Mattie's Place to cycle along a pastoral 12-mile loop around Burke's Garden, the largest rural historic district in Virginia. Re-fuel with one of Mattie's scrumptious sandwiches on fresh-baked sourdough.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Next stop, Burke's Garden Road. Here you can pick up the iconic whiteblazed Appalachian Trail for a short hike on a northbound section for fantastic birds-eye views of Burke's Garden.

BACK OF THE DRAGON

Make the Back of the Dragon welcome center your final stop. Here you can order up lunch at The Dragon's Tooth, the on-site food truck, and splurge on a pint or two at the microbrewery. 

 When in Lebanon, stop in

Lonesome Pine Brewing

Company. This small batch brewery boasts 12 great-tasting on-tap beers, rotating in three new brews to celebrate each season.

ROAD TRIPPIN'

N4 Wondrous Waterfalls

We have more than our share of impressive waterscapes in the Heart of Appalachia. Experience scenic cascades, as well as refreshing rivers and reservoirs.

day CLINCH RIVER LIFE

1Start on the water – the Clinch River, of course – with a gloriously relaxing tube float. Slather on the sunscreen for a gentle downriver float that can last from 90 minutes to three hours. Rent brightly-colored tubes from Clinch River Life in Duffield.

DEVIL'S BATHTUB

No need to dry off yet. Devil's Bathtub is your next stop. Enjoy a short waterfall hike and a dip in an icy cold swimming hole. Two playful rope swings keep the fun going all afternoon.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CABINS

Stay the night in a rustic inspired mountain cabin with modern conveniences, like microwaves, wi-fi, even air hockey tables. Yes, please.

day STONE MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES

2It's an easy 30-minute drive north to Stone Mountain Adventures in Norton where you'll gear up for a guided kayak paddle on an area watering hole, like the Norton Reservoir or Bark Camp Lake.

TANK HOLLOW FALLS

Next stop, Tank Hollow Falls. This 60-foottall waterfall is tucked away in a quiet hollow in the Appalachian Mountains. It may be one of the most peaceful places on earth. Certainly, it's well worth the 45-minute drive from Norton.

SUGAR HILL BREWING COMPANY

"Nuts and bolts" (you know, appetizers) set the tone at Sugar Hill Brewing Company thanks to mouth-watering fried pickles and soft pretzels with beer cheese. A dozen taps of craft beer make Sugar Hill a must-stop after a waterfall-filled day.

ST. PAUL COTTAGES & SUITES

Stay the night just around the corner from Sugar Hill Brewing Company at St. Paul Cottages & Suites. This in-town stay is a short hop to the Spearhead Trails and the Clinch River to help meet all your stay-andplay needs.

day LITTLE STONY FALLS

3A short 30-minute drive southwest leads to the trailhead for the final falls on your itinerary: Little Stony Falls. It's a short hike to the tumbling waterfall that bowls over visitors with a crystal-clear watering hole.

TEDDY'S RESTAURANT

From Dungannon a short drive will land you in the middle of Nickelsville at Teddy's—the place to be for good country cooking. The desserts are to die for and the milkshakes will be the best you’ve ever had. What a way to cap off the weekend! 

NATURAL ESCAPE

In the heart of the central Appalachian Mountains, there lies a pristine swath of wilderness that is far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Located on the border of Kentucky and Virginia, Breaks Interstate Park derives its name from a natural break in Pine Mountain, where the Russell Fork River has carved away at the mountain’s hard sandstone for more than 180 million years.

At five miles long and more than 1,300 feet deep, the resulting river gorge is one of the deepest in the eastern United States, and certainly ranks among the most scenic. Every season adorns the gorge in its own unmistakable way. Wildflower blooms of spring and vibrant foliage of fall blithely welcome you to the park.

Nestled among the cliffs, mountain streams and deep forests of the park and surrounding areas are bountiful opportunities for you to create your own outdoor adventures. More than 50 winding miles of mostly single-track trail guide you through a remarkable variety of geological and botanical habitats on foot and two wheels.

Off-road enthusiasts, we've got you covered, too. A dedicated ATV trail system, with more than 200 miles of rugged trails across two counties, connects the park to two ATV-friendly gateway towns. Bring the whole family for guided elk viewing excursions, zipline runs along the rim of the gorge, watercraft and mountain bike rentals, and a splashy waterpark. The park also offers seasonal whitewater rafting excursions.

For those eager to drive the adventure alone, Breaks Interstate Park has backcountry camping and rock climbing, as well as high-thrills Class V+ kayaking during scheduled whitewater releases in October.

Lakefront cabins, a wooded campground and rustic park lodges are the perfect home base. Select cabins have hot tubs, full kitchens and rear decks that overlook picturesque Laurel Lake. Camp sites range from primitive to full-hookup with water, sewer and 30 or 50 amp electrical service.

Adjacent to the lodge, the Rhododendron Restaurant and Conference Center provides good country cooking paired with beautiful gorge views. Gateway towns, including Haysi and Grundy, widen your options with plentiful restaurants, cafés and breweries.

The Breaks has long been, and will continue to be, a place of escape, respite and solace in the midst of today’s hectic world. The park’s mission is recognized in the words of John Muir when he famously said, “and into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” For more on Breaks Interstate Park, go online to breakspark.com. 