6 Fantastic Fall Hikes and Breweries in Northern Virginia
Fall is here, and we’re in one of my favorite places in the US…northern Virginia.
After living and working here for years, I fell in love with the local hiking options. You can drive west to Shenandoah to hike in the breathtaking mountains. Or visit the C&O towpath to savor miles upon miles along this historic canal.
We enjoyed many outdoor adventures while living near Washington, DC. But, the best fall hikes were often the shorter ones. You know the kind I’m talking about. An afternoon checking out the brightly colored leaves and crisp air, before settling in somewhere cozy with a frothy beverage.
To celebrate the upcoming fall colors and encourage you to get outdoors, I’m pairing six trails in Northern Virginia with six equally great local craft brewers.
So, without further ado, here’s Outdoor Pilgrim’s 1st annual Fall Flight of Trails & Ales.
Trail & Ale Pairing #1
🌲 The Trail: Great Falls Park
A popular hike year-round, Great Falls Park is a 800-acre National Park situated on the banks of the Potomac River near McLean, Virginia. The park is known for its vistas overlooking the dramatic rapids on this section of the river. Take the River Trail along the steep cliffs to catch the best views of the Potomac. Though mostly flat, this trail also has a bit of rock scrambling, making it the perfect combination of beautiful scenery and fun for hikers of all ages. There are a total of 10 trails in the park, allowing you to mix-and-match them for the ideal length hike.
🍺 The Brewery: Lake Anne Brewhouse
Owners Jason and Melissa Romano run this small-scale brewery located at historic Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, Virginia. The brewery’s mid-century modern taproom, with its bright pops of orange throughout, will help remind you of the fall colors even after they’re gone. While you’re visiting, try the Market Fest Ale, an Oktoberfest/Marzen-Style Ale. It’s a great way to relax and appreciate this season.
Trail & Ale Pairing #2
🌲 The Trail: Prince William Forest Park
One of my favorite spots south of the bustling DC metro area is Prince William Forest Park. It boasts 37 miles of trail meandering through this 15,000 acre park near Dale City, Virginia. Follow the blue blazes on the North Valley trail to the old pyrite mine site where you might find some fool’s gold. Or, try to spot the beavers busy building their dams near the Mary Bird Branch Trail. The options are endless.
🍺 The Brew: Brew Republic Bierwerks
Need to find a family friendly place to settle in after this hike? Look no further. Children are welcome in the Brew Republic’s tap room. They can even enjoy their own craft root beer, which is brewed in-house. And for the adults in the group, try the Night Mare Oatmeal Stout. A medal winner at the 2018 Virginia Craft Brewers Cup, this beer’s nearly black color with its tan, creamy head definitely sets it apart from all the typical brews your friends are drinking.
Trail & Ale Pairing #3
🌲 The Trail: Sky Meadows State Park
Finding Sky Meadows Park was a fluke on our part. We’d planned to go to Shenandoah to see the fall colors, but the Federal Government shutdown in October 2013 meant the National Park Service had to close Skyline Drive to traffic. Gratefully, we detoured north to Sky Meadows State Park. The Appalachian Trail traverses through the western side of this park, and there are 22 miles trails that take you out on ridges with views for miles. If you are looking for your Blue Ridge Mountain fix, but want to avoid the crowds in Shenandoah, try heading out to hike this park near Delaplane, Virginia.
🍺 The Beer: Backroom Brewery
Once you’re already out west for a hike, you may as well head a little further down the road to Middletown, Virginia and enjoy the Backroom Brewery. This boutique farm brewery is nestled in the Shenandoah River Valley and grows its own hops. While they have several award winning beers on tap, their Peter Peter Pumpkin Drinker is a seasonal fall porter with just the right amount of pumpkin flavor and spice to get you in a fall mood. And, if you’re around the last weekend in October, they have a “Hoppy Halloween” event with a pet parade.
Trail & Ale Pairing #4
🌲 The Trail: Mt. Vernon Trail
When most locals think of the 18-mile Mt. Vernon Trail, they picture the paved path between the GW Parkway and the Potomac River. While it’s true that this trail is an asphalt haven for runners and cyclists, there are several areas that are more serene. One of my favorites is the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve just south of Old Town Alexandria. This 485-acre tidal wetland showcases diverse wildlife, from beavers and snapping turtles, to over 300 species of birds. Or, if you’re into urban hiking and want to walk the entire length of this trail, it’s worth noting that you’d be completing a small section of one of our National Scenic Trails – the Potomac Heritage Trail.
🍺 The Brew: Port City Brewing Co.
Much like this popular urban trail, Port City Brewing is well-loved by folks in northern Virginia. If you’re out hiking between Thursday through Sunday, consider taking their brewery tour when you stop in. For $12 you can learn about their brewing process and sample six of their beers on tap. Or, you can just get down to the business of enjoying your favorite one in their tasting room. My go-to pick is the Monumental IPA, which is their flagship brew made with West Coast hops.
Trail & Ale Pairing #5
🌲 The Trail: Theodore Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island sits at the northern terminus of the Mt. Vernon Trail, but is a hiking destination all its own. The 88-acre island near Arlington, Virginia is managed by the National Park Service and is accessible from a footbridge off the Mt. Vernon Trail. With several paths criss-crossing its terrain, a perimeter trail along the Potomac, and an elevated boardwalk traversing the island’s section of wetlands, this hike is one of our family favorites. And in the center of the island stands a giant statue of Teddy Roosevelt (my favorite US President).
🍺 The Beer: Audacious Aleworks
Audacious might be the best adjective to pair with our bold, outdoor-loving 26th President. Located in nearby Falls Church, this brewery and taproom rocks a large variety of microbrews with six light ales, four darker ales, and six IPAs on tap. Looking for an easy but unique beer to finish off your hike? Try the Bombastic Birdy Beans Coffee Ale. They use Madagascar vanilla beans and coffee beans from Rare Bird Coffee Roasters to create a tasty blend that will tickle your tastebuds. As a life-long bird enthusiast, Teddy Roosevelt would definitely approve!
Trail & Ale Pairing #6
🌲 The Trail: Burke Lake Park
I’ve used this trail for more than my fair share of training hikes when I needed to get in some miles but didn’t have the ability to drive to the mountains. Nestled squarely in the middle of Fairfax County, Burke Lake Park provides easy access to the outdoors for most locals. The lake is the centerpiece of this 888-acre park, with a 4.7 mile trail winding around its shoreline. In 2005, the American Hiking Society named this trail one of the top 10 fitness trails near a metropolitan area. The canopy of trees over the wide path makes it a perfect place to walk under when the leaves when they’re turning bright red, orange, and yellow.
🍺 The Beer: Chubby Squirrel Brewing Co.
How can you not love a brewery that named itself after a squirrel? This local nano brewery in Fairfax, Virginia proves there’s magic in simplicity and small batches. Looking for something new to add to your beer repetiore? Why not try the Golden Squirrel, a Belgian Tripel brewed in Virginia with imported malts fermented with Belgian yeast and spiced with coriander. A cask beer, it promises to showcase draught beer at its best.
Final Thoughts
Do you have a favorite pairing in the the Northern Virginia or DC area that you want to share. Leave a comment below.
And if you’re interesting in seeing my trails and ales discoveries in other cities, click the button below or head over to my microbrewery page HERE, where I share some of the breweries I’ve visited during my recent nomadic travels.