August calls for trails with cool water, deep shade, and breezy mountain overlooks. 

This month’s trail calendar features five hikes that fit the season, from a coastal cypress swamp at First Landing to high-elevation paths at Grayson Highlands.

You’ll also find some of my favorite hikes in and near Richmond and Charlottesville, plus ranger-led state park hikes happening this weekend. Let’s go.

In this week’s newsletter:

😎 Five summer-friendly hikes for August 

🍃 Five Richmond-area trails with river, lake, and forest views

🥾 Five favorite hikes near Charlottesville

🧭 Ranger-led state park hikes happening this weekend 

Here’s to your next hike. I’ll see you on the trails.

—Erin Gifford 🥾

P.S. If you like what you see, please follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

August is all about water, wildlife, and coastal or high-elevation escapes. 

And, if you haven’t grabbed my free hike planner with 52 hikes mapped to every week of the year, there’s no better time than now.  

For August, here’s what I love for you:

At First Landing State Park, a hike on the 1.8-mile Bald Cypress Trail guides hikers over a freshwater cypress swamp with quirky bald cypress trees with knobby “knees.”

Part of Virginia’s Triple Crown, this 8.1-mile out-and-back boasts sweeping overlooks. Be prepared for a few cows and a whole lot of steps.

This 3.6-mile out-and-back at Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve starts under a lush canopy. The foliage is so dense that it can feel quite dark at times. Now that’s shady.

At Grayson Highlands State Park, the 2.3-mile Massie Gap and Wilburn Ridge loop hike is popular, but so is the 4.4-mile hike to Wilburn Ridge on the Appalachian Trail. 

One overlook is nice. Two is better. This 5.5-mile loop links both Lower and Upper Piedmont overlooks for rolling views across the valley.

Richmond may be Virginia’s capital city, but it also offers an impressive mix of wooded trails, river views, and peaceful lakes.

Much of that outdoor access comes courtesy of the James River Park System, which protects more than 550 acres of green space across the city.

Here are five of my favorite hikes in and around Richmond:

This easy 2.6-mile loop at Pocahontas State Park circles quiet Beaver Lake, crossing wooden boardwalks and bridges while serving up changing forest and wetland scenery.

This shaded 1.8-mile loop mixes river views, historic ruins, rock scrambles, and a suspension bridge. Bring a towel for a post-hike splash in the James River.

A 3.2-mile loop winds through this historic 105-acre park, passing wooded paths, remnants of its amusement park past, and a peaceful lake dotted with lily pads.

Four color-coded trails wind through this quiet 106-acre park, making it easy to mix and match routes for a short stroll or a longer wooded hike.

Link several short trails into a 2.3-mile double loop beside the James River, with wooded paths, rocky shorelines, and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the rapids.

Charlottesville may be best known for vineyards, restaurants and historic sites, but it also makes a fantastic base for hiking.

Within a short drive of downtown, you can wander beside a reservoir, climb to scenic overlooks, follow a wooded trail to Monticello or explore miles of quiet forest paths. 

Here are five of my favorite hikes in and near Charlottesville:

More than seven miles of trails wind through this 219-acre preserve beside the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir. Choose a short wooded stroll or link trails for a longer hike.

This 600-acre park features five trails, stream crossings, and scenic overlooks. A 4.5-mile loop serves up quiet woods, gentle climbs, and benches with a view. 

Circle the 170-acre Ragged Mountain Reservoir on the 7.0-mile Lake Front Trail. Along the way, watch for peaceful water views and whimsical wood carvings.

This 4.3-mile out-and-back trail climbs gently through the woods and across elevated boardwalks, ending near Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello on Carter Mountain.

More than 12 miles of trails criss-cross this 525-acre park in North Garden. Try the 2.3-mile Blue Wheel or 3.7-mile Wilkins Way for a satisfying woodland hike.

Many Virginia State Parks host ranger-led hikes on weekends. Most programs are free, though standard parking fees may apply.