Photograph by Becki Falwell
Adventure Town: Lynchburg, Virginia
Plan a long weekend getaway with our Lynchburg adventure guide, featuring great outdoor escapes, where to stay, and where to eat.
August 09, 2011
2 min readPop. 66,973
GPS: 37°23'N 79°11'W
On the James River in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the vibrant community of Lynchburg's recreational options are plenty: hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains or on the Appalachian Trail, swimming and boating on Smith Mountain Lake, and skiing at the nearby Wintergreen Resort (www.wintergreenresort.com), to name a few.
PLAY
Consider climbing the unique Trestles: three abandoned sandstone towers constructed as the foundation of an 1850s railroad bridge. They reach as high as 70 feet (21 meters), with a 5.11b difficulty grade—and are right next to a relaxing swimming hole for post-scrambling cool-offs. Lynchburg is also a hiker's paradise. Drive just two hours north, and you'll find yourself in Shenandoah National Park. Check out the steep Beecher Ridge Trail, which follows part of the AT through dogwoods and past waterfalls (www.nps.gov/shen).
EAT
Take a scenic drive to Bedford, and visit the intimate Millstone Tea Room. They grow their own greens out back, raise their own egg-laying hens, and rotate the menu daily to match seasonal availability. Try their jumbo lump crab cakes, collards with smoked sausage, and heavenly key lime pie (www.millstonetearoom.com).
SLEEP
Ivy Creek Farm B&B offers breakfast on a veranda, afternoon wine and hors d'oeurves, and amenities including an extensive library and an indoor heated swimming pool (doubles from $149; www.ivycreekfarm.com).
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- U.K. treasure hunters are finding ancient artifacts—who gets to keep them?U.K. treasure hunters are finding ancient artifacts—who gets to keep them?
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
Science
- Should you be concerned about bird flu in your milk?Should you be concerned about bird flu in your milk?
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
Travel
- Germany's iconic castle has been renovated. Here's how to see itGermany's iconic castle has been renovated. Here's how to see it
- This tomb diver was among the first to swim beneath a pyramidThis tomb diver was among the first to swim beneath a pyramid
- Food writer Dina Macki on Omani cuisine and Zanzibari flavoursFood writer Dina Macki on Omani cuisine and Zanzibari flavours
- How to see Mexico's Baja California beyond the beachesHow to see Mexico's Baja California beyond the beaches
