Erin Gifford shares some of her favorite Virginia hikes for families with Hike listeners. We chat about leave no trace, hiking with kids, tips for making hikes enjoyable (like snacks, good shoes and more snacks!) and teachable moments on trail. 

Here are some of the trails mentioned and links to Erin's hikes on Go Hike Virginia:

Devil’s Bathtub 

Crescent Rock

Big Cedar Creek Falls

First Landing State Park (Bald Cypress Trail)

Manassas National Battlefield Park 

Belle Isle

Buzzard Rocks

Rose River Falls

Connect with Erin:
Web: Go Hike Virginia
Facebook: Go Hike Virginia 
Instagram: @gohikevirginia
Buy the Book: Hiking with Kids Virginia: 52 Great Hikes for Families

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast

 Email Lori at hikepodcast@gmail.com 

 

 Support the show Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com 

Best Family Hikes in Virginia with Erin Gifford

Hike is a podcast that shares the stories of people and places that inspire us to explore, wander, and live.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Sports

Fitness

Health & Fitness

Wilderness

Zach and Corin share their Fall 2023 hike on the Foothills Trail. We chat about their 5 days on trail and touch on food carry, water, campsites, wildlife on trail and so much more. 

Both Zach and Corin have previously been on Hike to share their individual hiking stories and adventures, so I'm excited to be able to have them on together for the first time.  They talk candidly about what it's like to hike as a couple and how it's brought them closer together. 

Zach is currently finishing out his yearlong DayLoeb (hike the Art Loeb in a day once a month for 13 months) leading into his 40th birthday.  Corin is planning for an upcoming 2024 trip to Yellowstone while Zach will look at doing his own hike of the Bartram Trail. 

 Support the show Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com 

Foothills Trail with Zach and Corin

Staff Sgt. Andrea Okrasinski and Staff Sgt. Ema Donlagic are U.S. Army Soldiers and Instructors with the Army Mountain Warfare School in Vermont, specializing in missions with extreme weather and mountainous terrain. 

They share their best tips for winter hiking based on their cold weather experiences in Vermont and elsewhere. 

We cover:Smart layeringTaking care of your feetHydration And much more!Learn more:

Army Mountain Warfare School
https://www.moore.army.mil/Infantry/AMWS/

Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills book
https://www.mountaineers.org/books/books/mountaineering-the-freedom-of-the-hills-9th-edition-1

Cold Weather Hiking Tips (REI)
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/cold-weather-hiking.html#:~:text=Make%20sure%20your%20clothing%20and,if%20you%27re%20feeling%20chilly. Support the show Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com 

Winter Hiking Tips from U.S. Army Mountain Warfare Soldiers

Lauren hiked France's thru hiking trail called the Hexatrek over the summer. She was the first North American woman to thru hike the trail. In this episode she shares some of her on trail experiences and we chat a little bit about the PCT and some of her other backpacking adventures. 

"The HexaTrek is a 3034 km trail, linking 14 of the most beautiful natural parks and crossing France from the Vosges to the Pyrenees. Following the mountain ridges, crossing the most beautiful valleys and stopping in the most picturesque villages, the HexaTrek is 500 points of interest, unmissables, and natural wonders visible from the trail. The 6 stages of the HexaTrek will lead you through the most beautiful parks of the French territory." (hexatrek.com) 

Connect with Lauren:

Instagram: @laurenroerick
TikTok: @laurenexplores
YouTube: @laurenroerick
Website: www.laurenroerick.com 

 Support the show Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com 

The Hexatrek with Lauren Roerick

Nick shares his summer hiking from Springer to Harper's Ferry. He hiked 1000 miles also wearing one of my Hike hats. We chat about what it is really like on trail and the lessons he took back afterwards. This conversation inspired me and I know it will inspire you. On trail or off trail, Nick's story will resonate with you. 

Connect with Nick "Show Me": 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthew3/


 Support the show Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com 

A Thousand Miles on the Appalachian Trail with Nick Wheatley

Dane shares all the information about his and his hiking partner's summer thru hike of the Art Loeb Trail. 

We break down each day and chat about the planning and reality of this hike. Dane has lots of tips and resources that everyone can use whether they are looking at a day hike or thru hike of this trail. 

If you have questions about the trail, reach out to Dane at 

dane(dot)schuckman(at)gmail(dot)com

Resource links: 
 Pisgah Map Co. - Antigravity Gear ALT trail guideReviewing Leave No Trace principlesYouTube - Unfettered Footsteps - Hiking the Art Loeb Trail: Logistics & PlanningThe Trek - Blog post by Jessie Robinson - Guide to Hiking the Art Loeb Trail in One WeekendFacebook’s Art Loeb Trail groupSupport the show Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com 

Best Family Hikes in Virginia with Erin Gifford

Download our free app to listen on your phone