Short and sweet this week—I ran out of runway, but not ideas for getting you outside. Consider this a streamlined guide to help you hit the trails and make the most of the weekend. I’ll be back with more next time.

In this week’s newsletter:

Time to lace up and see what Virginia’s trails have in store.

—Erin Gifford 🥾

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

“It’s gonna be May”—and that’s your cue to get outside. Even Justin Timberlake says so. Consider this your trail game plan. Five hikes, five weekends. Let’s do this! 

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 May, here’s what I love for you:

A 2.8-mile out-and-back near Harrisonburg delivers big payoff: a historic stone lookout tower with a wraparound catwalk and 360-degree views. Short, sweet, and wildly scenic.

Pick your route—both lead to a summit with expansive views across the Shenandoah Valley and the long ridge of Massanutten Mountain. You really can’t go wrong here.

It’s a short and steep hike to Molly’s Knob at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, but the overlook affords one of the very best views in Virginia.

This 6.5-mile loop shines at sunrise or sunset, thanks to east- and west-facing overlooks. If you like your hikes with a side of drama, this one delivers.

A peaceful forested loop near Roanoke is home to the world’s largest population of piratebush, a globally rare shrub. In spring, look for small green blooms.

It’s hard to beat a hike with a view, and Virginia has plenty that deliver wide-open, 360-degree panoramas worth lingering over. 

These five favorites of mine make every climb feel worthwhile once you reach the top.

A short but steep climb leads to one of the most iconic summits in Virginia, where rocky outcrops open up to panoramic views of the Peaks of Otter and surrounding Blue Ridge.

Wide-open meadows near the summit create an almost alpine feel, with unobstructed 360-degree views that stretch across the Blue Ridge Mountains in every direction.

This steady climb rewards hikers with a fire tower at the top. Climb the stairs for a true 360-degree vantage over the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain.

A rocky ascent leads to a dramatic summit where you’ll find expansive views and a sense of wild, untamed elevation. This is an easy hike with a big reward.

A short but exhilarating rock scramble delivers serious rewards, with one of the few true 360-degree viewpoints inside Shenandoah National Park.

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