5 Great Fall Hikes around Chesapeake & Newport News, VA
If you're planning a move to the Chesapeake or Newport News, VA, area, you're in luck: Just because the weather's chilly doesn't mean you have to stay inside. There are so many places to explore any time of year. You can still get outside when autumn arrives and enjoy nature – especially those gorgeous fall colors. Here are 5 great hikes in and around Chesapeake and Newport News, Virginia.
Noland Trail
The Noland Trail offers just the right combination of ease and exercise. This five-mile loop trail winds past the water and through forests, with just a few inclines. Take a picnic lunch, rest at one of the many benches and scenic overlooks, and count the more than 25 wooden bridges and footbridges as you go. Leashed dogs are welcome, as are bikers. Noland Trail starts at the Mariner's Museum, so stop in and pick up a map before you hit the trail.
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
For lake views that can't be beaten, take a trek through Sandy Bottom Nature Park. You'll find more than 450 acres to explore on this reclaimed site (you'd never believe it was once a garbage dump!). Take the Wetlands Trail and wind through the marshlands, where you can see a resident turtle or deer. There are also camping, fishing, and picnic pavilions, and be sure to tour the 10,000-square-foot Nature Center overlooking lovely Sandy Bottom Lake. The park is open year-round.
Indian River Park
For a dose of fall foliage when you're short on time, head to Indian River Park. The 2.1-mile loop trail is an easy walk for a sunny fall afternoon, winding through forests and along the river. If you only have an hour or so, walk the .5-mile nature trail. Either way, keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as raccoons, foxes, gray squirrels, snapping turtles, and (harmless) garter snakes. Birders will enjoy seeing the chickadees, wrens, northern cardinals, and pleated woodpeckers, too.
Oak Grove Lake Park
Get back to nature without leaving the city at Oak Grove Lake Park. This 157-acre park surrounds a lovely 65-acre lake, with trails crisscrossing the forested green spaces. Take a leisurely stroll through the trees and appreciate the water views, leaving time to stop at the many beaches and benches. The 1.5-mile, ADA-accessible trail runs along the lake's perimeter and offers a relaxing place to walk year-round.
Mariners Lake Trail
If you have a few hours to spare, the Lake Maury Natural Area in Newport News, VA, is the perfect destination. Here you'll find the Mariners Lake Trail, a 4.2-mile loop near the lake. The trail has an elevation gain of 118 feet and is considered moderately challenging. Be ready to share the trail with mountain bikers, joggers, and birders. Visit in the morning to marvel at the silence and mirror-like lake surface. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.
Are you planning a move in Newport News or Chesapeake, Virginia? Brooks Transfer and Storage is here to help! From start to finish, we'll make your move a smooth, stress-free experience. Contact us today to learn how we can help with your move.
