If exploring pristine wilderness, chasing waterfalls, hiking or biking along miles of peaceful trails, and soaking in vibrant blue lakes and ancient springs sounds like a getaway that will heal you, Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands are calling your name! With over 100 miles of trails, a Blueway comprised of two rivers and two mountain lakes, plus the fact that 50% of the county is nestled within George Washington National Forest, this region is a true nature lover’s paradise. And whether you’re outdoorsy and want to build a fast-paced, adrenaline-packed itinerary, or more outside-y and looking to slow down and unwind in nature, this destination has ample opportunities for both adventure and relaxation.
Tucked away in the mountains of western Virginia, just four hours from our home in Washington, DC, Alleghany County first landed on our radar a few years ago, and immediately made its way to the top of our list of favorite local getaways. We’ve been visiting ever since, and our most recent trip was in partnership with the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. This time around, we revisited some of our favorite haunts, explored some new-to-us spots, and fell even more in love with the area. So if you’re looking to spend an adventurous and outdoorsy long weekend in Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands, you’re in the right place.
Alleghany Highlands FAQs: Know Before You Go
Where is Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands?
Nestled in Virginia’s Alleghany Mountains, within Alleghany County, the (aptly-named) Alleghany Highlands region is located just a few hours from most major Mid-Atlantic cities, making it the ideal weekend road trip destination.
- 2 hours from Charleston, WV
- 3 hours from Richmond, VA
- 3.5 hours from Greensboro, NC
- <4 hours from Washington, DC
- 4 hours from Raleigh, NC
- 4.5 hours from Pittsburgh, PA
If you prefer to leave your car behind, you can reach the Alleghany Highlands via train, as Amtrak’s Cardinal Line arrives and departs from Clifton Forge, Virginia. The route runs between New York City and Chicago and provides one-of-a-kind views of the landscape that can only be seen by train.
How many days do you need in the Alleghany Highlands?
We recommend planning to spend at least three to four days in the Alleghany Highlands to experience the area’s best outdoor activities, including biking the Jackson River Scenic Trail, exploring Lake Moomaw, horseback riding, hiking, and visiting the unique local landmarks, like Falling Spring Falls and Humpback Bridge, that call this area home. That said, if you’re short on time (or PTO), you can definitely hit the highlights in a weekend.
When is the best time to visit the Alleghany Highlands?
The best time to visit the Alleghany Highlands is from late spring through fall. Summer is ideal for kayaking, swimming, fishing, and all of the other local lake and riverside recreation opportunities, while fall brings vibrant foliage and cooler temps for hiking and biking.
10 Must-Have Experiences in Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands
We’re sharing all of our favorite spots in the Alleghany Highlands below, but first, promise to do your part to protect our beautiful public lands by practicing Leave No Trace when you visit. Always stay on marked trails when hiking, be bear aware and give any wildlife you may encounter plenty of space, follow posted rules, and pack out any/all of your trash (including organic waste like orange peels and apple cores). It’s our responsibility to do our part to protect and preserve for generations to come. Here are some tips for making your outdoorsy travels more sustainable.
Ride the Jackson River Scenic Trail
Totaling 16 miles, the Jackson River Scenic Trail was recently named one of the Top 10 “rails to trails” in Virginia by Virginia Tourism and winds along the river’s wildflower- and wild raspberry-dotted banks. This mostly flat trail is popular for walking and biking and is also both leashed dog- and horse-friendly. It also offers some pretty unique and historic pit stops along the way.
We wanted to ride the entire stretch of the trail, so we rented e-bikes from Alleghany Outdoors for the trek. They shuttled us to the Cedar Creek Trailhead, and we rode the 16 miles back to their property from there. Along the way, we saw massive cliffs, spotted deer and Great Blue Herons, and made little pit stops at Smith Bridge (a rail bridge that was used from the 1800s to the 1960s to carry passengers between Covington and the Homestead Resort), a natural well, and the Covington Swinging Bridge.
Halfway along the trail, you can also opt to stop for lunch at Cliff View Brewhouse or Petticoat Junction, or you can combine biking with a Jackson River float. If you choose the latter, you can enjoy a quick post-ride reset at Alleghany Outdoors and eat lunch on their back deck that overlooks the river before heading back out for a kayaking or tubing trip. After biking, we enjoyed a boxed lunch from Mountain Field Market in Clifton Forge. Their cookies and homemade bread are to die for!
Kayak Beneath Towering Cliffs
Not only is the Jackson River home to a beautiful rail trail and world-class fishing (ranked #25 in Trout Unlimited’s Top 100 US Trout Streams), it’s also flanked by rugged limestone and dolomite cliffs towering 300ft above the water, which we believe are best experienced via kayak.
To experience the cliffs from the river, we rented kayaks from Alleghany Outdoors, who dropped us off upstream at the Indian Draft boat landing. There are two spots along this route where you can view the cliffs and some fun class 1-2 rapids along the way, but you can mostly prepare to float while you take in the pretty views and peaceful atmosphere, making this trip both beginner- and family-friendly.
This route covers 7.5 river miles, and it took us about four hours to float from Indian Draft back to the Intervale Park take-out spot at Alleghany Outdoors. We snacked on perfectly ripe paw paw along the way and floated beneath the Covington Swinging Bridge—two experiences that proved to be the cherries on top of an already perfect afternoon out on the water.
Experience the Trails on Horseback
A trail ride with Let’s Ride Horses is a must if you ask us. We spent just over an hour with our trusty steeds, and they were the sweetest boys, which made our entire morning. It is so clear that these animals are extremely well cared for and treated like family. Our guide was so kind and knowledgeable, and we knew immediately that her passion was rooted in sharing the great outdoors with first-time and expert equestrians alike.
The views weren’t half bad either. From wooded trails to stream crossings to mountain-top vistas, this was definitely the most scenic ride we’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing, and (if it’s not already abundantly clear), we couldn’t recommend this experience more!
Explore Virginia’s Bluest Lake
Surrounded by 43 miles of undeveloped, wooded shoreline, the fjord-like Lake Moomaw is one of the most beautiful places in Virginia… as well as the bluest lake in the state! There are ample recreation opportunities here, including swimming, hiking, fishing, paddleboarding, camping, and simply relaxing on the lake’s sandy beach.
If you’re looking to get out for a paddle, we recommend launching from Cole’s Point Beach. This popular day-use area is home to picnic shelters, fishing docks, boat ramps, a swimming beach, restrooms, and a sizable parking lot, so it’s the ideal home base if you want to spend a full day at the lake.
If you’d rather take in views of the lake from solid ground, both the 3-mile Fortney Loop Trail and the 1-mile Morris Hill Bike Trail are popular for hiking and biking and connect the Lake to the Morris Hill Campground.
Chase Waterfalls
Would you believe us if we told you that you can take in views of this 80-foot gem of a waterfall in all of its glory just steps from your car?! Located right along Route 220, Falling Spring Falls is breathtakingly beautiful and a non-negotiable addition to your Alleghany Highlands itinerary.
Hike Through Globally Rare Landscapes
Warm Springs Mountain Preserve is incredibly beautiful, and it’s home to the state’s only substantial montane pine barren. The landscape here feels almost otherworldly, which tracks because it’s both globally rare and one of the most ecologically significant forests in the Central Appalachians. This means that practicing Leave No Trace Principles here is extremely critical, so be sure to familiarize yourself with these practices before venturing out. We’ve hiked two of the preserve’s trails (Bear Loop Trail and Bald Knob Lookout Tower), and highly recommend both of them!
Bear Loop Trail
– 3.5 miles round trip with 262 feet of elevation gain
– Interpretive signs along this family- and beginner-friendly trail highlight the mountain’s diversity and unique features
Bald Knob Lookout Tower
– 3 miles round trip along a gravel service road
– The trail leads to a historic CCC-built lookout tower, and while the very top is locked, it still provides insanely gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains!
Visit the only Remaining Covered Humpback Bridge in the USA
Whether you’re a bridge lover or not, Humpback Bridge is a must-stop when visiting the Alleghany Highlands. Built in 1857, this National Historic Landmark is the nation’s only remaining covered humpback bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Virginia, and one of the most iconic and most photographed places in the area.
This 100-foot-long wooden structure spans the Dunlap Creek, a tributary of the Jackson River, and lies within a five-acre wayside park. When you visit, you can pack a picnic or your swim gear and hop in the creek. On our most recent trip, some kiddos were having a grand time swinging from a rope swing tied under the bridge, and it took all I had not to ask if I could take a turn. My fully developed brain got the better of me, though, because the creek is knee-deep at best.
Hike and Mountain Bike in one of Virginia’s Original State Parks
With 4,500 acres of forest, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, and over 40 miles of trails, Douthat State Park is a must-visit for those looking for an outdoor adventure. It’s also one of Virginia’s original state parks and therefore dotted with historic sites. There’s even a CCC-built camp store for all your adventure needs!
There are over 20 trails in the park, but if you only have time to hike one, Tuscarora Overlook is one of the park’s most scenic gems. If you’d rather opt for a waterfall hike, head to Blue Suck Falls. It’s especially beautiful in the spring or after a heavy rain! The park also offers a wide variety of programming, from Ranger Meet-and-Greets and natural history walks to “owl prowls” and starlit canoe paddles; the park’s event calendar offers something for everyone!
Bop Around Charming Mountain Towns
The downtown areas of Covington and Clifton Forge are home to amazing local restaurants, cafes, galleries, and markets, as well as some adorable boutiques to bop around. Their streets are also dotted with murals, and both boast a Virginia LOVEworks sign.
Covington, VA
Kanawha Café is our go-to for breakfast, and if you visit on a Saturday, you can take your coffee (or chai in Seth’s case) to go and walk across the street to the Covington Farmers Market to shop all the local vendors. With laser tag, VR, and tons of arcade games, Mountain Rush is another fun stop.
For lunch, we recommend Cucci’s Pizzaria. Their Cucci Special steak, cheese, and pepperoni sandwich (with the works) is amazing, and if you like anchovies, you have to order their Cucci Special pizza. We took our leftover slices to-go and reheated them over our campfire, and they were somehow even better the second time around. And for dinner, we love Creekside Bar and Grill. This brand new restaurant is a bit off the beaten path and best described (by us) as an “elevated sports bar.” It’s family-friendly, but also perfect for a date night, and we love that they prioritize locally sourced ingredients.
Clifton Forge
Long before it became a gateway to outdoor adventures, Clifton Forge was a thriving railroad town that played an important role in the economic development of western Virginia. In the late 1800s, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway established major rail operations in Clifton Forge, and the railroad’s influence can still be seen throughout town today.
Jack Mason’s Tavern & Brewery, for example, is located in the historic C&O Commissary, and if you’re like us and always on the lookout for a local brewery, this is your place! This family-friendly spot offers a full menu, a rotating selection of flagship and seasonal craft beer, cocktails, seltzer, and homemade, non-Alcoholic craft sodas. Their game room is home to a pool table, pinball, and a claw machine, their family room is stocked with children’s books and games; and every Thursday, they host bingo in the brewery!
After dinner, head next door to C&OH! Ice Cream Depot for dessert with a side of Railway/Americana nostalgia. This retro haunt is decked out with floor-to-ceiling vintage decor and serves up fun, unique treats like ice cream nachos, dressed-up hot dogs, and glass-bottle sodas from antique machines. They also have pinball machines, other arcade games, and model trains on display, and when you walk in, you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time.
Stay Somewhere Unique
From campsites to resorts to cozy cabins, there are tons of beautiful and unique places to stay in the area, but for outdoor lovers, the four we’re highlighting below are truly bucket list-worthy.
Check into a Luxury Cabin with Swimming Holes
Located 20 minutes from the City of Covington, a stay at Cabin on the Creek will make you feel like you’ve checked into your own woodland waterfront oasis, a world away. This custom-built luxury cabin has a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and comfortably sleeps four. But the best part of this property is that a stay here grants you easy access to the Potts Creek “Sinks,” which are natural pools, or depressions in the creek bed that are enclosed by higher land and make for the perfect swimming holes. There’s also both a cave and a waterfall to explore just steps from the cabin. NOTE: We recommend bringing your own tubes and creek shoes that you don’t mind getting wet, as you’ll need to walk along a decently steep trail to access the pools, and the bottom of the creek is rocky.
Beyond the aqua-green water bordering the property, there’s also a hot tub, horseshoes, a fire pit, and a charcoal grill for cooking outdoors. Inside, the cabin is stocked with games, farm-fresh eggs, and everything that you’ll need to make s’mores. The owners didn’t take any shortcuts when designing this place. From the branded coffee mugs to the cozy robes awaiting in the closet, to the split wood tucked beside the campfire, they thought of every detail to ensure their property was ready to make you feel right at home.
Glamp beside a Private Waterfall
With private swimming holes, a 40ft waterfall, a cave, a swinging bridge, and hiking trails right on-site, this may be Virginia’s most unique glamping destination. Situated within a nature preserve and surrounded by lush forest is the beautiful (and dog-friendly) Beaverdam Falls.
When you stay in one of their off-grid cabins (Top of the Rock) (Falling Waters A-Frame), you’ll fall asleep to crickets and peepers chirping and wake up to the sound of the waterfall crashing down below. In between, you can spend your days floating in the swimming holes below the falls, kayaking/hiking the preserve’s land and water trails, and heading underground to explore a cave!
The property also has a communal space with an indoor kitchen, bathroom, WiFi, power, water, coffee, and camp essentials that you may have forgotten for purchase, so even though you are glamping, you’re not going without any amenities.
Camp on the Shores or on a Ridge Perched above Virginia’s Bluest Lake
If you’re looking to base yourself in close proximity to Lake Moomaw, yet still have access to all of the amenities that a well-equipped campground provides, you should book a site at Morris Hill Campground. Their wooded sites are each equipped with a picnic table and fire pit and are just a short walk from the campground’s bathhouse with flush toilets and hot water for showers. And if you want to head to the lake without hopping back in your car, you can make your way there via several short (1- to 3- mile round trip) trails.
If you’d rather be right on the lake, you have three options: Greenwood Point, McClintic Point, and Bolar Mountain. Greenwood Point can only be accessed by boat or by hiking the 3.2-mile Greenwood Point Trail, which leads to eight campsites tucked into wooded coves and meadows. McClintic Point is situated on the northern end of the lake and offers some lakefront sites, and Bolar Mountain is home to both standard campsites and primitive walk-in/tent-only spots.
Check into America’s First Resort
Located nearby in Hot Springs, Virginia, The Omni Homestead Resort boasts the title of being our nation’s first resort. This historic property has been a favorite of both presidents (24 to be exact) and those looking for a relaxing retreat for over 250 years. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or just want to add a little luxury to your getaway, this resort is the place for you.
Some highlights of our stay included tasting a curated selection of wines from local vintners, taking a midnight dip in the resort’s heated pool (it’s indoors and open 24/7), and relaxing in our premier king room while taking in the views from our private balcony. We also loved sampling the resort’s variety of culinary options and fine dining experiences. Every single dish we had was 10/10, with a standout meal being one comprised of locally foraged mushrooms.
There are also a myriad of activities offered on-site. From falconry to guided waterfall hikes to horseback riding to mountain biking along the resort’s trails, it’s virtually impossible to run out of fun things to do here! That said, if you only have time to experience one thing at The Homestead, it must be taking a dip in the Warm Springs Pools. Originally built in 1761, the site is incredibly historic and holds the title of being the first “spa structure” in America.
People have traveled to “take the waters” from these springs for centuries, and it’s easy to see why—they’re crystal clear and soaking in them is so relaxing! But beyond just being beautiful, the springs flow at a rate of 1,700,000 gallons per day and have an unusually high mineral content, which has been said to provide a variety of health benefits to those who come for a soak.
The official tourism slogan for the region is Uniquely Alleghany, and we hope this guide helps you chart your course to experience the area’s one-of-a-kind natural and historical landmarks and plan a visit that will live rent-free in your mind for years to come. We know this guide only scratches the surface of everything that Alleghany County has to offer, so let us know what we missed in the comments below. We always leave knowing we’ll be back for more adventures in the future, as there is so much to see and do here!
