The summertime is a myriad of experiences and moments in time spent travelling, seeing movies, family time or in our case, on the trail. In the spirit of blockbuster movies with dynamic storylines, vast visual creations and time stopping moments we decided to embark on trails that deliver much the same. In so much, we have no summer flops here, these are the guaranteed summer blockbusters you want to experience.
     What makes these so special? The trails below were selected based on their uniqueness, their ability to transform the topography and landscape into something cinematic with its own story to share.  The trails below share everything from slot canyons, to towering monoliths to cascading waterfalls.  As with any summer time adventure its best to be prepared for the elements, please invest in a moment to explore these related articles to benefit your preparedness.
The Channels
​Delivers a unique hiking experience in the form of a summit slot canyons! Located in Southern Virginia, the experience climaxes in a wonderous slot canyon system delivered after 4 million years of erosion. 
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Mount Rogers
A wonderous area that feels like it doesn’t quite belong in Virginia. Mount Rogers is the tallest peak in the state, however, to get to it you will embrace a 10-mile round trip trek with wild ponies, mountain laurel, robust 360 open bald views and a summit straight out of a fairy tale book. 
Emerald Pond
How about a Caribbean blue natural spring fed swim hole? I heard that gasp!  Don’t be fooled the Emerald Pond trail will work you with a few tough climbs but its payout is a swimmable spring fed pond (there are even primitive campsites there too) to enjoy and embrace! 
Canyon Trail @ Swallow Falls
​The shortest trail in the Blockbuster series is however overstuffed with visual riches. The Canyon Trail is great for families as it provides a cocktail of towering pines, ample and robust waterfalls, a manageable trail blessed with large roots and rocks to scamper and vast views of the Youghiogheny River. This might be a little bit of heaven.
St. Mary's Wilderness
By far the most water friendly trail system. This little-known gem is not a tough climb but rather a meander across streams, traversing water crossings, and feeding your kid like enthusiasm to hop, skip and play throughout this trail system. The topper? A beautiful (serious undersell) waterfall cove tucked into the mountainside, ripe for swimming 😊.
Chimney Rock 
Stunning, should be capitalized and reiterated. Your experience is something straight out of a action movie. From quiet pine groves to this granite monolith, the Chimney Top trail may have you scratching your head as to how this is all real
Brown Gap @ Shenandoah National Park
Unheralded because it sits in Shenandoah National Park amongst other amazing and well marketed trails. But Brown Gap is a symphony of dense forest, multiple waterfalls, flower, and fauna that carpet your peripheral vision all while blessing your experience with quiet and beauty.
The Cascades
Another area that puts the W in wonder. An outstanding trail that slithers riverside amongst towering trees, large boulder outcrops leading to a 66-foot waterfall (with a swimming hole). Want more, then jettison off to Barneys Wall that sisters up to this trail for a breathtaking bird perch view of the valley. 
Dolly Sods
​Diversity is its tagline. From wild fauna (4-foot-high ferns!), wild windblown pines, drip castle like sandstone formations and endless beauty, the Dolly Sods are all about diversity.
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Our philosophy is to encourage exploration of trails in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia through experiential content and purposefully simplistic guided summaries. We aim to provide you the knowledge, the essentials and the confidence to hike a trail.
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