A Retrospective Look at our Readers’ Choice Awards
Blue Ridge Outdoors is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, so all year long we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite adventures from the past three decades. In that spirit, we’ve decided to take a retrospective approach to this year’s Best of the Blue Ridge feature. Usually, multiple rounds of annual voting decide these readers’ choice awards, but last fall, as we were preparing to launch the contest, Hurricane Helene devastated communities in a large portion of our readership. So as peoples’ lives—and our coverage—shifted to recovery, we decided to compile many years of past results and provide a long-range look at the top trails, rivers, races, brews, and outdoor-friendly businesses our readers love throughout the region.
Destinations
Best Public Lands
Blue Ridge Parkway – Va. and N.C.
The nation’s longest linear national park is home to one of the most iconic scenic drives on the planet and attracts more than 16 million visitors a year. The 469-mile route traces the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and brings more than 280 roadside overlooks, perpetual wildlife viewing opportunities, and countless hikes to jaw-dropping summit views. Along the way, it’s lined with dozens of vibrant mountain towns and communities that let you follow a day of high-elevation eye candy with dinner, drinks, and a stay in outdoors-loving hubs like Cherokee, North Carolina, or Roanoke, Virginia. – E.W.
Runners Up
Shenandoah National Park – Va.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Tenn. and N.C.
Best Hiking Trail
Art Loeb Trail – N.C.
This much-beloved 30-mile point-to-point trail carries trekkers through the heart of the 18,000-acre Shining Rock Wilderness in Western North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest. The nationally designated footpath boasts a thigh-crushing 8,103 feet of elevation change and has won a reputation as one of the most challenging in the Southeast. Art Loeb traverses a sequence of long ridgelines that include Pilot, Tennent, and Cold Mountain, and climbs to a peak elevation of 6,214 feet at the famed grassy, treeless summit of Black Balsam Knob. Glorious 5,000-plus-foot views of remote peaks, valleys, and hills in the surrounding national forest are found throughout. – E.W.
Runners Up
McAfee Knob – Va.
Greenbrier River Trail – W.Va.
Best Biking Trail
Virginia Creeper Trail – Va.
This popular family friendly rail-trail runs for 34 miles from Abingdon to White Top Station, along the way winding through the pristine scenery of southwest Virginia near the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Unfortunately, portions of the Creeper were devastated by Hurricane Helene, so as of press time in mid-December, the stretch of the trail from White Top to Damascus was closed with no timeline for restoration, while the remainder of the path from Damascus to Abingdon was open to explore. – J.F.
Runners Up
Great Allegheny Passage – Pa./Md.
Greenbrier River Trail – West Virginia
Best Waterfall
Blackwater Falls – Davis, W.Va.
Despite its name, the water tumbling over Blackwater Falls isn’t exactly black. Instead, tannic acid leached from hemlock and red spruce trees gives the water a unique amber hue—almost like sweet tea. To see it for yourself, hike the Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail, a short but steep climb with more than 200 stairs that’ll have you panting like a black-and-tan coonhound. Alternatively, you can opt for the Gentle Trail, a quarter-mile paved path that’s easy on the knees. No matter which path you pick, be sure to snap a picture of the five-story waterfall—after all, it’s one of the Mountain State’s tallest. – L.S.
Runners Up
Cumberland Falls – Corbin, Ky.
Falling Spring Falls – Covington, Va.
Best Swimming Hole
Sliding Rock – N.C.
If you want to embrace your inner 10-year-old, you could spend six hours eating cool ranch-flavored Doritos and playing Minecraft. Or you could take a road trip to Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest. Tucked along U.S. Highway 276 outside of Brevard, Sliding Rock is a 60-foot cascade that beckons all ages to take the plunge. Come summertime, thrill-seekers line up for their turn to zip down the slick granite chute and dunk into a pool of icy mountain water. Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, this is a must-try. – L.S.
Runners Up
Saint Mary’s Wilderness – Va.
Glade Creek – W.Va.
Best Lake
Smith Mountain Lake – Va.
Smith Mountain Lake isn’t Virginia’s biggest reservoir, but it’s certainly the state’s most popular. Located about 30 miles southeast of Roanoke, this 20,000-acre impoundment is a boon to locals and vacationers alike. Every year, thousands flock to its shores to picnic, swim, fish, and boat. Smith Mountain Lake State Park also offers more than a dozen miles of hiking and biking trails, should you want to stretch your legs. Afterward, pitch a tent in the campground or rent an onsite cabin. – L.S.
Runners Up
Lake James – Marion and Nebo, N.C.
Summersville Lake – W.Va.
Best Whitewater
New River – W.Va.
The 53-mile span of river passing through the eponymous New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is home to some of the East Coast’s best and most scenic whitewater paddling, and the stretch within the 1,000-foot-deep canyon offers options for all ability levels.
The comparatively relaxed upper portion is defined by long pools that flow into loads of riffles and increasingly challenging but navigable Class IIs and IIIs. The notorious Lower Gorge, meanwhile, brings the action. Experts can catch white-knuckle thrills on a 16-mile span of river that drops a whopping 250 feet in 16 miles and is chock full of roaring Class IIIs, IVs, and Vs. – E.W.
Runners Up
Youghiogheny River – Ohiopyle, Pa.
Nantahala River – Bryson City, N.C.
Best Fishing Spot
South River –
Waynesboro, Va.
This small but beautiful Shenandoah Valley waterway passes through downtown Waynesboro less than four miles from the entrances to both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park. Fed by gushing springs in the Thomas Jefferson National Forest, the 50-mile river is one of the few in the Southeast that stays cool enough to support adult trout populations year-round. That means anglers can expect to find plenty of 20-plus-inch fingerling rainbows and browns in and around town. Smallmouth bass, redbreast sunfish, rock bass, and fallfish abound downstream near the confluence with the North River in Port Republic. – E.W.
Runners Up
The New River – Fayetteville, W.Va.
Davidson River – Brevard, N.C.
Best Climbing Crag
Seneca Rocks – W.Va.
The sheer, 900-foot stone cliffs of Seneca Rocks have long been a mecca and regional proving ground for East Coast cragsmen. The towering Tuscarora quartzite formation is renowned for its multipitch traditional climbing and sits in the middle of eastern West Virginia’s expansive Monongahela National Forest within the 100,000-acre Spruce Knob National Recreation Area.
The cliffs boast a plethora of well-established routes that cater to a wide range of ability levels. With a 5.2 grade, the aptly named “Old Ladies Route” is the breeziest. At 5.13d, Flyin’ Lion will challenge even top experts with a route that includes an upside-down climb through a broad, yawning cave just below the 2,200-foot South Peak summit. – E.W.
Runners Up
Looking Glass Rock – N.C.
New River Gorge – W.Va.
Best Overlook
McAfee Knob – Va.
McAfee Knob is the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail, and it’s little wonder why. Situated about 15 miles northwest of downtown Roanoke, this summit affords stunning 270-degree views of the valley below. But getting there isn’t exactly easy. To take your Instagram-worthy photo, you’ll need to trek about four miles on the A.T., climbing nearly 2,000 feet in elevation along the way. Upon arriving, you can dangle your legs off the granite cliff for a photo that’ll give your mama a heart attack. Or you can snap some pics from a safe distance away. – L.S.
Runners Up
Grandfather Mountain Overlook – N.C.
Dan Ingalls Overlook – Va.
Best Campground
Devils Backbone Basecamp – Roseland, Va.
Have you ever been sipping a malty porter at your favorite taproom and thought, “Man, I wish I could stay here all night”? If so, Devils Backbone Camp in Roseland, Va., is for you. With modern amenities like an onsite brewpub, distillery, cigar lounge, and bathhouse, this five-acre biergarten-turned-campground is perfect for those who want the outdoor experience without sacrificing creature comforts (i.e., hot showers and cold beer). Plus, Devils Backbone is a 20-minute drive to more than 20 craft beverage producers, should you feel thirsty for more adventure. – L.S.
Runners Up
Douthat State Park – Millboro, Va.
Davidson River – Pisgah Forest, N.C.
Best Kid-Friendly Adventure
ACE Adventure Resort – W.Va.
Sure, you could take your kiddo to Chuck E. Cheese for their birthday. Or you could celebrate the wild and wonderful way at ACE Adventure Resort. Located on 1,500 acres in West Virginia, ACE dishes up more than a dozen kid-friendly activities, from rock climbing in the New River Gorge to kayaking Summersville Lake. After a day packed with adventure, you can enjoy a family dinner at The Lost Paddle Bar and Grill and then catch some Z’s in a cozy chalet with all the modern conveniences. – L.S.
Runners Up
Anakeesta – Gatlinburg, Tenn
NOC Zip Line Adventure Park – Bryson City, N.C.
Best Pet-Friendly Adventure
Chetola Resort – Blowing Rock, N.C.
If you want to go on vacation but can’t stand the thought of leaving Fido behind, head to Chetola Resort. Nestled in Blowing Rock, N.C., this high-country haven offers a suite of smartly appointed canine-friendly rooms. After chill-laxing with your BFF (best furry friend), go for a walk at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, a nearby estate with over 25 miles of scenic trails. Julian Price Memorial Park, a 4,200-acre recreation area, is also close by. Chetola staff can provide directions to both parks and recommend other local spots to take your pup. – L.S.
Runners Up
Massanutten Resort – Massanutten, Va.
Blue Ridge Tunnel – Afton and Waynesboro, Va.
Best Accessible Outdoor Experience
C&O Canal National Historic Park – Potomac, Md.
Not all outdoor spaces are accessible to people with disabilities, but staff and stakeholders with the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park are working to change that. At the C&O, all visitor centers are ADA-accessible and efforts like the Towpath Resurfacing Project have made walking trails more wheelchair-friendly. Additionally, the park offers ASL interpretation and listening devices for ranger-led tours and audio-described exhibits at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. Through the Canal For All initiative, the C&O is also engaging with underrepresented groups to remove barriers and get more people outside. – L.S.
Runners Up
The Park at Flat Rock – Flat Rock N.C.
New River Trail State Park – Max Meadows, Va.
Best Beer/Wine/Spirits Trail
Nelson 151 –
Nelson County, Va.
This scenic route in central Virginia has something for all craft beverage enthusiasts, with six breweries, seven wineries, three cideries, and two distilleries linked together on the rural roads of Nelson County through a sweet stretch of the Virginia Blue Ridge. Must-visit options along the way include the idyllic property of Veritas Vineyard, the upscale, rustic taproom at Bold Rock Hard Cider, and the sprawling beer garden of Devils Backbone Brewing Company. – J.F.
Runners Up
Kentucky Bourbon Trail – Ky.
Asheville Ale Trail – Asheville, N.C.
Best Place for Outdoor Singles to Live
Asheville, N.C.
A booming arts, food, culture, and nightlife scene combines with convenient proximity to some of the East Coast’s top hiking, biking, and paddling experiences to make Asheville the perfect city for outdoors-loving singles. Find skiing at Hatley Pointe Resort within 45 minutes of downtown, scenic cruising on the Blue Ridge Parkway, nearly 500 miles of MTB trails in nearby Pisgah National Forest, and bucket list hikes at hotspots like 6,684-foot Mt. Mitchell within an hour’s drive. Follow the fun with drinks at one of more than 50 area craft breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries. As the city continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, consider a visit to patronize local businesses in 2025. – E.W.
Runners Up
Boone, N.C.
Charlottesville, Va.
Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family
Roanoke, Va.
The Star City makes it easy for parents to pass on their love of the outdoors to kids without sacrificing amenities. Its bustling downtown area is crisscrossed with more than 30 miles of bikeable greenways and boasts an ever-expanding lineup of craft breweries and restaurants. It’s also home to one of the nation’s oldest and most celebrated weekend farmer’s markets.
Thirteen-thousand-acre Carvins Cove Natural Reserve holds more than 60 miles of mountain biking trails for all skill levels. There’s a kid-friendly climbing gym in the historic Wasena neighborhood and top-tier bouldering opportunities at McAfee Knob. Both the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway pass just outside of town. And breezy to intermediate paddling opportunities abound on the Roanoke and New rivers. – E.W.
Runners Up
Brevard, N.C.
Fayetteville, W.Va.
Businesses
Best Ski Resort
Snowshoe Mountain Resort – Snowshoe, W.Va.
In case you’re not familiar, a “permagrin” is the long-lasting smile winter sports enthusiasts experience while shredding fresh powder at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia. The resort has four terrain parks and more than 60 meticulously groomed trails varying in difficulty from the beginner-friendly Lower Hootenanny to the uber-challenging Lower Shay’s Revenge. Off the slopes, Snowshoe keeps the good times rolling with indoor/outdoor swimming options, cozy accommodations, and a variety of food and beverage options. – L.S.
Runners Up
Massanutten Resort – Massanutten, Va.
Wintergreen Resort – Nellysford, Va.
Best Terrain Park
Snowshoe Mountain Resort – Snowshoe, W.Va.
It’s no secret the “Beast of the East” brings the shred like no other resort in the Mid-Atlantic. Four designated terrain park trails are found in two distinct ski areas across the mountain. The main Snowshoe Basin slope is home to the biggest and best. Progression Park boasts parallel runs with features that range from beginner- to intermediate-level jumps, boxes, and ride-up flat rails. Neighboring Evolution Park is longer, with features like 12-foot pole jams or multilevel round rails that cater to high-level intermediates and experts. A pair of epic jumps wait near the bottom. – E.W.
Runners Up
Wintergreen Resort – Nellysford, Va.
Sugar Mountain Resort – Sugar Mountain, N.C.
Best Bike Park
Massanutten Resort – Massanutten, Va.
The Nut hosted its first Hoo-Ha pro-am mountain biking race in 1989, and that pioneering spirit is reflected in its bike park. Nine lift-served trails are found in the main ski area. A quartet of beginner-friendly blues and greens are located toward the bottom of the mountain, with more advanced routes descending from the upper summit. The longest, Creamy, provides 1.7 miles of fast and furious flow with monster berms and around 50 tabletop jumps. The double-black diamond World Cup, meanwhile, will challenge even the most top-tier of riders. – E.W.
Runners Up
Snowshoe Mountain Resort – Snowshoe, W.Va.
Kolo Bike Park – Asheville, N.C.
Best Raft Guide Company
Nantahala Outdoor Center – Bryson City, N.C
The Nantahala Outdoor Center sits 13 miles west of downtown Bryson City near Lake Fontana and offers a fleet of action-packed rafting and inflatable kayaking adventures on its namesake river. You can also book guided trips to other top regional paddling destinations like the Lower Pigeon Gorge in Tennessee or Georgia’s upper Chattooga River.
Homebase options start with a brief orientation and shuttles to a launch site about 8 miles south of NOC. The swift-moving current winds through beautiful mountain forests and brings a near-constant rollercoaster of fun class IIs and IIIs. – E.W.
Runners Up
Adventures on the Gorge – Lansing, W.Va.
ACE Adventure Resort – Oak Hill, W.Va.
Best ZipLine
Adventures on the Gorge – Lansing, W.Va.
Looking for a new way to experience the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve? Adventures on the Gorge’s one-of-a-kind zipline course lets you soar above the treetops on the banks of the New River and catch stunning 1,000-foot views of the park. A series of wooden ladders, aerial nets, platforms, and rope courses carries you through the high canopy and connects six ziplines that together measure more than 1.5 miles in length. The longest is 200 feet high, .75 miles long, and reaches a top speed of 65 mph. – E.W.
Runners Up
The Gorge Zipline – Saluda, N.C.
Buffalo Mountain Ziplines – Floyd, Va.
Best Fly Fishing Shop
Fly Fishing the Smokies – Bryson City, N.C.
The mountains of western North Carolina and southeast Tennessee brim with world-class fly- and spin-fishing opportunities—and Bryson City’s Fly Fishing the Smokies is the go-to outfitter for gear and guided adventures. The six-time shop of the year offers a broad range of float or wade-in catch-and-release trips to hidden honey holes in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest. Overnight options carry patrons to remote, stunningly beautiful waterways deep in the mountains and include meals dished up by a pro chef.
Runners Up
Albemarle Angler – Charlottesville, Va.
South River Fly Shop – Waynesboro, Va.
Best Climbing Guide Company
Blue Ridge Mountain Guides – Charlottesville, Va.
Whether you’re a seasoned rock jock or a nervous newbie, Blue Ridge Mountain Guides can help you ascend to new heights. As the only business in the Southeast accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association, BRMG provides expert instruction in everything from sport leading to alpine climbing, meeting adventurers where they are with private guiding sessions tailored to different skill levels. The outfitter also works in more locations than any other guide in the South Atlantic, with boots on the ground (or, rather, climbing shoes in the air) in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. – L.S.
Runners Up
New River Mountain Guides – Fayetteville, W.Va.
Pisgah Climbing School – Brevard, NC
Best Gym or Training Facility
River Rock Climbing – Roanoke, Va.
Find this treasure of a climbing facility in an overhauled century-old warehouse that sits on the scenic Roanoke River Greenway in the historic Wasena neighborhood. A sprawling 8,500 square feet of climbing space is divided into two distinct areas that bring fun and demanding workouts that range from greenhorn-friendly to prograde challenging. Bouldering walls offer a large top-out section, multiple caves, and average 12 feet in height. They’re complemented by 26 stations for top-rope and lead climbing that max out at an impressive 37 feet. A well-equipped weight room and yoga studio rounds out the package. – E.W.
Runners Up
Peak Experiences – Richmond, Va.
Climbmax – Asheville, N.C.
Best Running Shop
Ragged Mountain Running Shop – Charlottesville, Va.
Husband-and-wife duo Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni opened Ragged Mountain way back in 1982 and the shop’s combo of customer-focused service, know how, and state-of-the-art technology has since made it a beloved hub of runners from the Charlottesville area and beyond. Visiting patrons can enjoy individualized gait analyses and fittings and pick from a wide selection of gear and apparel from top brands like Brooks or Asics. The shop also organizes group runs and training programs for people of all ages and abilities. – E.W.
Runners Up
Fleet Feet Roanoke – Roanoke, Va.
Two Rivers Treads – Ranson, W.Va.
Best Bike Shop
Blue Ridge Cyclery – Charlottesville, Va.
Owner Shawn Tevendale founded downtown Charlottesville’s main Blue Ridge Cyclery shop in 2010 as the natural outgrowth of his passion for all things bikes. He’d been a sponsored athlete racing road, cyclocross, gravel, and mountain bikes for nearly a decade and wanted to find a way to stay involved as his competitive career wound down. The shop now serves as a beloved gathering place and jumping off point for the local biking community. It offers everything from mechanical services to recommendations around area trail systems or road rides, to bike fittings and gear from top brands like Trek, Salsa, Cannondale, Electra, and Surly. – E.W.
Runners Up
Adventure Damascus and Sundog Outfitter – Damascus, Va.
The Hub & Pisgah Tavern – Pisgah Forest, N.C.
Best Outdoor Store
Marion Outdoors – Marion, Va.
Debating the merits of trekking poles? Not sure which backpacking tent to buy? Can’t decide between a bear bag or a bear canister? If so, head to Marion Outdoors in southwest Virginia. Owned and operated by Andrew “Coach” Livingston, this outfitter specializes in high-quality backpacking, hiking, and camping gear, making it easy for customers to purchase supplies for their next big adventure. The store even sells a comprehensive backpacking kit for those who want to get into the sport but aren’t quite sure how. Thru-hikers along the Appalachian Trail are also welcome to stay at The Merry Inn, a hostel above the shop. – L.S.
Runners Up
Mast General Store – Va. and N.C. (multiple locations)
Walkabout Outfitter – Va. (multiple locations)
Best Hotel & Resort
The Omni Homestead – Hot Springs, Va.
This historic resort in the Allegheny Mountains has been an idyllic escape for many—including 24 U.S. presidents—for the past two and a half centuries. In addition to the Homestead’s spa and other well-known upscale amenities, guests can also get plenty of outside time at the resort’s ski slopes, zipline, and two-acre water park fed by natural springs. – J.F.
Runners Up
Chetola – Blowing Rock, N.C.
Hotel Floyd – Floyd, Va.
Best Inn, Bed & Breakfast, or Cabins
Pilot Cove Forest Lodging – Pisgah Forest, N.C.
Pilot Cove is perfectly situated for those embarking on an adventure. The unique lodging outpost features modern cabins and a campground on 64 acres that border Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. While you stay, hike the Art Loeb Trail, check out Looking Glass Falls, or ride Pisgah’s renowned singletrack. And when you’re done, grab a beer nearby at the Hub and Pisgah Tavern. – J.F.
Runners Up
The Merry Inn – Marion, Va.
Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins – Asheville, N.C.
Best Wellness Center
Asheville Community Yoga – Asheville, N.C.
You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to access high-quality yoga classes. At least, that’s the philosophy at Asheville Community Yoga, a donation-driven nonprofit in the mountains of North Carolina. Rather than pay a membership fee each month, yogis are encouraged to give a “love offering” of $10 to $20 per class. However, all are welcome regardless of their ability to pay. The studio also provides financial aid for those interested in training sessions and workshops. – L.S.
Runners Up
New River Yoga – Fayetteville, W.Va.
Berkeley Springs – Berkeley Springs W.Va.
Best Educational Outdoor Program
Trail Sisters – N.C. (multiple locations)
Trail Sisters works to boost female representation in the outdoors through educational resources, races, and trail running and hiking groups. The national organization has regional groups across the country, including a footprint in North Carolina. Get involved at trailsisters.net. – J.F.
Runners Up
Keep Virginia Cozy – Va.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy – W.Va.
Best Environmental Organization
Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy – Abingdon, Va.
The Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy is a long-standing winner of this category, and with good reason. For more than 20 years, the environmental organization has kept a watchful eye on the 34-mile rail trail, which runs from Abingdon to Whitetop Station, Va., and attracts more than 180,000 visitors every year. To provide a safe and memorable trail experience for all users, the nonprofit’s so-called “Creeper Keepers” oversee trail upkeep, engage in advocacy efforts, organize community events, and host educational programs. – L.S.
Runners Up
Southern Environmental Law Center – Charlottesville, Va.
MountainTrue – Asheville, N.C.
Best Local Gear Brand
Eagles Nest Outfitters – Asheville, N.C.
Since its founding in 1999, Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) has become a go-to brand for outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, ENO specializes in lightweight, durable hammocks ideal for everything from camping at music festivals to hiking the Appalachian Trail to simply relaxing in your backyard. In addition to hammocks, their product line includes bug nets, rain tarps, hammock stands, blankets, lounger chairs, and all the gear you need to stay comfortable in the great outdoors. – L.S.
Runners Up
Farm to Feet – Mount Airy, N.C.
Sylvan Sport – Brevard, N.C.
Food & Drink
Best Dish
Pizza at Pies and Pints – Fayetteville, W.Va.
Follow a long day of outdoor adventure in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve with gourmet pizza and craft beverages at Fayetteville’s Pies and Pints. The eatery occupies a thoughtfully restored historic brick building on the edge of the park that opens onto a spacious beer garden with a patio and plenty of outdoor seating. The drinks menu holds nearly 100 brews in addition to ciders, craft cocktails, and regional wines. Pick from an array of delicious pub-style handhelds or wood-fired pizzas—which run the gamut from basic to creative riffs, like an upscale take on Nashville’s famed hot chicken. – E.W.
Runners Up
Fried Green Tomatoes – Tupelo Honey Cafe – Asheville, N.C.
BBQ – Firecreek Steaks & BBQ, Fayetteville, W.Va.
Best Drink
Get Bent IPA from Parkway Brewing – Salem, Va.
Parkway Brewing is a long-running favorite in the Roanoke Valley. One of the outfit’s most popular brews, Get Bent, gets its name from Bent Mountain, located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a deliciously hoppy old-school IPA that features bold flavors of pine and citrus that come from a generous amount of Cascade, Columbus, and Cluster hops. – J.F.
Runners Up
Full Nelson Pale Ale – Blue Mountain Brewery – Afton, Va.
Bold Rock IPA – Bold Rock Hard Cider – Nellysford, Va.
Best Brewery
Blue Mountain Brewery – Afton, Va.
Blue Mountain has been making delicious craft brews from its scenic outpost in rural Nelson County since 2007. The brewery’s sprawling outdoor patio is often packed with folks enjoying scenic mountain views and a lengthy list of tasty beers. Favorites include Full Nelson Pale Ale, a long-running regional staple that’s perfect for hop heads, and Dark Hollow, a beast on an imperial stout that’s aged in bourbon barrels. – J.F.
Runners Up
Bridge Brew Works – Fayetteville, W.Va.
Appalachian Mountain Brewery – Boone, N.C.
Best Winery
Chateau Morrisette – Floyd, Va.
Pioneering oenologist William Morrisette founded one of Virginia’s first estate wineries on his family’s Floyd County farm in 1980. Its lineup of 20 award-winning wines has since won Chateau Morrisette a place among the state’s ever-expanding pantheon of celebrated vintners. The vineyard sits a half-mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway on a beautifully landscaped 120-acre property. The latter is centered by a 40,000-square-foot chateau-style winery, restaurant, and tasting room that offers vast views of the surrounding mountains. – E.W.
Runners Up
Veritas – Afton, Va.
Veronet Vineyards – Kings Mountain, N.C.
Best Distillery
Twin Creeks Distillery – Rocky Mount, Va.
This small but mighty distillery awaits in the rapidly revitalizing downtown area of Rocky Mount some 20 miles east of the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwest Virginia. Here, owner Chris Prillaman crafts a fleet of seven spirits that includes small batch corn whiskeys, fruit brandies, and a sweet mash rye that he calls “a tribute to 200 years of family distilling traditions.” Liquors are made the old-fashioned way from 100 percent locally grown grains and fruits using heirloom equipment like submarine copper pot stills, wooden mash forks, copper worms, and wooden thumper barrels. Tasting room visits include a tour that explores legacy techniques and the history of distilling in the Virginia mountains. – E.W.
Runners Up
Smooth Ambler – Maxwelton, W.Va.
Buffalo Trace Distillery – Frankfort, Ky.
Best Cidery
Bold Rock Hard Cider – Nellysford, Va.
Southern farmer John Washburn and New Zealand cider connoisseur Brian Shanks are an unlikely pair. But working together, the two men cultivated the number-one regional cider brand in America: Bold Rock Hard Cider. For the past decade, Bold Rock has been pleasing palates with its award-winning selection of cider blends, hard lemonades, ready-to-drink cocktails, and other adult beverages. The brand has also opened a handful of brick-and-mortar tasting rooms, including its flagship location in Nellysford, Va., and its cidery in Mills River, N.C. – L.S.
Runners Up
Blue Toad Hard Cider – Roseland, Va.
Tumbling Creek Cider Company – Abingdon, Va.
Best Restaurant
Floyd Country Store –
Floyd, Va.
This regional institution is well known for serving up some of the best in Appalachian music, particularly at the nationally renowned Friday Night Jamboree. But the Floyd Country Store has also been lauded by our readers as a top spot to get some tasty grub, including the Southern-friendly Country Bowl, which features pinto beans, collard greens, and cornbread. – J.F.
Runners Up
Blue Mountain Brewery – Afton, Va.
Secret Sandwich Society – Fayetteville, W.Va.
Best Coffee Shop
Red Rooster – Floyd, Va.
It’s no wonder that the hip and funky mountain town of Floyd is home to one of Virginia’s best and most interesting coffee shops. Red Rooster prides itself in offering exceptionally delicious and sustainable roasts in addition to gourmet teas, smoothies, breakfast biscuits, breads, pastries, boutique syrups, and farm-fresh produce. The three-time Good Food Award winner sells more than two dozen types of coffee ranging from single-origin delights to tasty collaborations like the Starr Hill Stout Blend, which was created to be used in the brewery’s flagship coffee cream stout. – E.W
Runners Up
Basecamp Coffee Company – Cumberland, Md.
Trager Brothers Coffee Roasters – Afton, Va
Best Farmers Market
Harrisonburg Farmers Market – Harrisonburg, Va.
When in Rome, you feast on dormice and watch chariot races. But when in Harrisonburg, Va., you shop at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market. Open year-round, the market is the perfect place to stock up on organically grown blueberries and yams, naturally leavened sourdough, forest-raised pork, Peruvian dark chocolate, and anything else you might be craving. Not sure what to do with your farm-fresh vittles? Organizers provide weekly recipe inspiration on social media, guiding community members through the steps of searing pork chops and roasting celebration squash. – L.S.
Runners Up
Stuart Farmers Market – Stuart, Va.
Roanoke City Market – Roanoke, Va.
Events & Races
Best Music Festival
FloydFest – Va.
FloydFest has set a standard for thriving independent music festivals by annually bringing a devoted crowd back to a scenic site in southwest Virginia for a carefully curated, eclectic lineup of roots music. This year the festival will take place on July 23-27 and mingle top headliners Mt. Joy and the Black Crowes with upstarts LA LOM, Geese, and Kelsey Waldon. – J.F.
Runners Up
Red Wing Roots Music Festival – Mt Solon, Va.
4848 Festival – Snowshoe, W.Va.
Best Family Friendly Festival
Front Porch Fest – Stuart, Va.
More than a decade ago, Front Porch Fest began as a small gathering of friends and family in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the years since, this four-day fête has grown into a renowned music festival featuring acts like the psychedelic-sounding group Yam Yam and the folksy singer-songwriter Amber Collier. There’s plenty for kids to do, too, from face painting to hula hooping to dancing. Plus, there’s no charge for children 12 and under. – L.S.
Runners Up
LEAF – Black Mountain, N.C.
Rooster Walk – Martinsville, Va.
Best Unique Festival
West Virginia Roadkill Cookoff – Marlinton, W.Va.
The West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off is as wild as it gets. Hosted annually in Marlinton, this quirky event invites brave (and hungry) souls to sample a variety of unconventional dishes made from animals often found on the side of the highway (think bear wontons, snapping turtle stew, and squirrel gravy over biscuits). The winning chef takes home a cash prize and bragging rights. The day includes plenty of other activities, too, including live music, arts and crafts, a biscuit bake-off, and a pageant during which a local teen is honored as the “Queen of Roadkill.” – L.S.
Runners Up
Highland Maple Festival – Highland
County, Va.
Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival – Buchanan, Va.
Best Running Event
Blue Ridge Marathon – Roanoke, Va.
If you’re looking for an epic sufferfest, look no further than the Blue Ridge Marathon. Better known as “America’s Toughest Road Race,” this grueling 26.2-mile course starts in downtown Roanoke and then climbs up, up, and away into the surrounding mountains, with several miles logged along the Blue Ridge Parkway. In total, runners can expect 7,430 feet of total elevation gain/loss—more than any road race in the U.S. Those who push through the pain are rewarded with stunning views and a lively Finish Festival at Elmwood Park. – L.S.
Runners Up
Rim to River 100 – New River Gorge, W.Va.
Run The Valley – Waynesboro, Va.
Best Triathlon
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Ironman – Roanoke, Va.
Looking for a race that pairs unparalleled mountain views and a course that would challenge the mettle of even the most seasoned veteran? Roanoke’s Blue Ridge Ironman triathlon has you covered. The competition begins with an otherwise illegal 1.2-mile swim in a pristine reservoir surrounded by 4,300-plus-foot mountains in the 13,000-acre Carvins Cove Natural Reserve. Next comes a thigh-slaughtering 56-mile road bike ride on designated scenic byway U.S. Route 11 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Conclude with a relatively flat 13.1-mile dash back to downtown along the paved Roanoke River Greenway. – E.W.
Runners Up
King Of the James – Richmond, Va.
Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon –
Huddleston, Va.
Best Bike Race
Tour de Valley – Waynesboro, Va.
The Tour de Valley is a choose-your-own-adventure bike race. Organized by the Augusta Cycling Club, this event allows competitors to pick from four routes: the Century (100 miles), the Metric Century (62 miles), the 40-miler, and the 25-miler. Each course begins in downtown Waynesboro and then meanders through the farmlands and mountains of Augusta and Rockbridge counties, with fully supported aid stations along the way. After crossing the finish line, riders can take a dip in the pool at Ridgeview Park and nosh on food truck fare. – L.S.
Runners Up
Agony in the Alleghanies Gran Fondo – Clifton Forge, Va.
Fire Mountain Inferno Enduro Weekend – Cherokee, N.C.
Best Paddling Event
Gauley Fest – Summersville, W.Va.
What’s now the largest paddling festival in the world started back in the early 80s to celebrate the derailment of a dam project that would have disrupted flows of the mighty West Virginia river. The annual September event brings together class V whitewater runs on the mighty Gauley, live music, and a big boater hang with gear booths and plenty of good-time shenanigans. – J.F.
Runners Up
Rivanna RiverFest – Charlottesville, Va.
Kibler Valley River Run – Patrick, Va.
Cover photo: Snap a photograph at McAfee Knob on the Appalachian Trail. Photo by Benjamin Hays
