Appalachia Region/Spearhead Trails
Rugged mountain trails and folksy Appalachian tunes charm in Virginia
Home to a quarter of the Appalachian Trail, Southwest Virginia is a magnet for adrenaline addicts, solace seekers and active families. The Spearhead Trails system delivers a mind-blowing array of outdoor activities combined with ethereal natural beauty and a rich Appalachian cultural heritage. Sample delicious, homey cuisine while appreciating traditional music and crafts that come from this area.
With a network of over 500 trails geared to every level, the Spearhead Trails are destinations unto themselves. From serpentine ATV trails to wilderness hikes, rugged mountain biking and a nascent equestrian system, Spearhead Trails provides an intimate encounter with the region’s natural wonders, such as Devil’s Bathtub, High Knob Lookout Tower, Breaks Interstate Park, Natural Tunnel and Burkes Garden.
Get Your Motor Runnin’
Beyond the Appalachian’s signature hiking and biking experiences, Spearhead Trails’ unique selling point is the number of demanding off-road experiences also known as the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) system. The network of OHV trails varies in terms of terrain and experience level required. The most family-friendly network is the multi-use Mountain View, with 90 miles of trails combining (easy), blue (intermediate) and black (advanced) trails geared toward ATVs and Side by Sides.
A great place to start your off-road adventures is in the ATV-friendly town of St. Paul, where you can even ride your ATV to dinner. A trailhead is located conveniently in town. Haysi’s Ridgeview trail system is a combination of tree-lined trails and wide open ridge riding with plenty of spectacular views. The trailhead is conveniently located just outside the ATV-friendly town of Hays.
Musical Roots
The crucible of American Country Music, southwestern Virginia’s musical heritage is celebrated with the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, with venues and events in Southwest Virginia.
A fine crop of mountain music venues play host to diverse genres, including old-time string bands, a cappella gospel, blues and, of course, bluegrass.
For More Information
Spearhead Trails
276-807-7581
www.spearheadtrails.com
Virginia Tourism Corporation
804-545-5500
www.virginia.org