Georgians and Americans in general, love to hike. In 2017, there were approximately 43 million participants in hiking in the U.S.
Recreational outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, boating, hunting & wildlife viewing and sports such as running, bicycling and climbing draw millions of participants into the outdoors in the United States each year. In 2016, about 50 percent of all U.S. Americans had participated in some kind of outdoor activity. Children aged 6 to 12 years were the most likely group to participate outdoor activities, with about 62 percent of that age group participating. That’s a great sign and statistic. Hiking is amongst the most popular outdoor activities and millions Georgians each year enjoy a good hike.
Let’s look at some of the popular hikes Georgians enjoy and endure and a hidden gem, that is just a seven hour drive away.
Amicalola Falls Trail – Steep, but beautiful descent along the face of the waterfall to the reflecting pond, with a return to the visitors center along the Base of Falls Trail.
Arabia Mountain – Close to Atlanta and you climb Bradley and Arabia Mountain, rock outcrops of southeast DeKalb County.
Burnt Hickory Loop – Northsiders will love this loop trail that explore Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw Mountain, ending at Pigeon Hil, site of a major historical battle.
Kennesaw Mountain Road – Paved road allows access to the top of Kennesaw Mountain walking or by car on weekdays and by bus on weekends.
Stone Mountain Mountaintop Trail – Climbs to the top of Stone Mountain, a popular attraction and largest piece of exposed granite in the world.
Vickery Creek Trail Complex – Complex of interwoven trails that circle a knob on the Chattahoochee River.
Those looking for a getaway and an adventure with hiking just part of the trip will love Wintergreen Resort in Virginia and there are deals this fall.
Wintergreen Resort is an 11,000-acre, four-season resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains southwest of Charlottesville, Va. This beautiful hideaway is the ultimate vacation and conference spot, nearly 230 condominium-style accommodations; 45 holes of championship golf; snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing; an award-winning tennis program; a full-service, destination spa; 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space; and savory dining options. The resort is located adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway in beautiful central Virginia near Charlottesville, just 90 minutes from Richmond, Va., three hours from Washington, D.C. and Raleigh, N.C., five and a half hours from Philadelphia, and about eight hours from Atlanta.
Signature hiking adventures are a specialty of The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen, which designs seasonal excursions that make the most of late summer and fall with hikes that explore the Balds of Cold Mountain, the Fall Migration of Song Birds and a Migratory Bird Walk. Surrounding Nelson County supplies numerous opportunities for exploring including visits and tastings at area wineries, an apple cidery, award-winning breweries, antiques and boutiques, and pick-your-own peach and apple orchards—one in business before the United States was born. There is also golf, skiing and tennis at Wintergreen each fall.
And just an hour away are two very special national historic sites, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and James Monroe’s Ash-Lawn Highland estates.
Wintergreen’s Bed & Breakfast package includes:
Accommodations
Breakfast per night of stay at The Copper Mine Bistro. Includes choice of entrée or breakfast buffet (when available) and non-alcoholic beverage.
Unlimited access to the Aquatics & Fitness Center
Rates begin at $69 per person per night
Guests also receive unlimited access to the Wintergreen Aquatics and Fitness Center, plus an exhilarating array of activities and options both high in the mountains and down in Rockfish Valley.
Current season for this package runs till 11/30/17. Blackout dates are varied depending on holidays and resort occupancy. Minimum stays may apply.
Wintergreen Resort accommodations options include 230 villa-style condominiums and rental homes, from studio suites to nine-bedroom homes, each offering a fully equipped kitchen, and comfortable living area, and most come with fireplaces and a balcony or deck.
For more information call 888-329-5828 or visit www.wintergreenresort.com.
The economic impact of outdoor activities in the U.S. reaches several billion U.S. dollars each year.
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