Virginia
Hiking Scenic Southwest Virginia
Program No. 22828RJ
Lace up your hiking boots and venture into the striking scenery of Southwest Virginia on a hiking adventure that includes Appalachian culture, music and more.
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
4B, 3L, 4D
)
2 expert-led lectures
5 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, & Orientation
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activity Note
Check-in at 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Dinner:
In the 4-H Center Dining Hall, we’ll have a buffet dinner.
Evening:
Enjoy a talk with local Master Naturalists and local Park Rangers about the local flora and fauna in the Southwest Virginia area at 7 PM in the lower level of the lodging building. Afterwards, take the evening to relax, get to know your group members, and prepare for the week ahead.
Day
2
Hike, Country Music Museum
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activity Note
Enjoy a morning hike in the Southwest Virginia area. An afternoon trip will be provided to the Bristol County Music Museum and participate in an evening program.
Breakfast:
In the 4-H Center Dining Hall, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet. We will also pack our own bag lunches.
Morning:
After breakfast we’ll depart for our 5 mile hike along the Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Watauga section. The paths on the Virginia Creeper Trail are through cool forests, stone cliff outcrops, alongside creeks, and over historic wooden railroad trestles.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
We will shuttle back to the 4-H Center with some time to freshen up and relax. Later in the afternoon, we'll visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum to learn more about the area.
Dinner:
Dining Hall Buffet.
Evening:
After dinner there will be an option to rappel on the 4-H Center Campus
Day
3
Hungry Mother Hike, Downton Abingdon, Enjoy Local Music
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activity Note
Hiking approx. 6-mile loop in the Hungry Mother State Park. In the later part of the day, enjoy music from the area.
Breakfast:
Dining Hall Buffet. We will also make our own bag lunches.
Morning:
After breakfast we’ll depart for our hike at Hungry Mother State Park. The hike will be approximately 5.7 miles. This is a moderate gravel trail that has some minor elevation changes and follows the Hungry Mother Lake for a good portion of the hike. We will be joined by one of the park’s rangers on this hike for some insightful history and knowledge of the park. *This trail is subject to change prior to the program.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
We will shuttle back to the 4-H Center with some time to freshen up and relax. Later in the afternoon, we will visit the Visitor Center in Abingdon to learn more about the history and what the town has to offer. Abingdon is in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. The town of Abingdon is known for its artsy vibe, historic charm, amazing food scene, and its proximity to some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation in the region.
Dinner:
Dining Hall Buffet.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by local musicians for a concert exclusively for our Road Scholar group. The musical performance will be with one of our local 4-H Extension Agents, Sandy Shortridge.
Day
4
Elk Garden Hike, Free Afternoon, Barter Theatre
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activity Note
Enjoy a morning hike, then have some available free time in the afternoon. After our final dinner, we will enjoy an evening performance at the Barter Theatre.
Breakfast:
Dining Hall Buffet. We will also make our own bag lunches.
Morning:
Our last morning hike will include a four-mile loop on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail and the Appalachian Trail. This is a very scenic walk within our high country of Soutwest Virginia. Elevation will range from 4400 – 5000 ft. The Appalachian Trail is a national trail of some 2,197 miles running from northern Georgia to Maine. Trekking poles are recommended for this hike. *This trail is subject to change prior to the program.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
The remainder of the afternoon is free until the Barter in the evening. You might like to take a walk around the grounds, go into downtown Abingdon, read a book, or just relax. An optional shuttle will be offered to the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center Market Place.
Dinner:
Dining Hall Buffet.
Evening:
We will ride in to Abingdon and attend a professional theater performance at the renowned Barter Theatre, the State Theater of Virginia. Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Founded in 1933 during the Great Depression, it was called the Barter Theatre because so few people had money to spare and could pay the equivalent of 40 cents in bartered goods for admission. Today, it is one of the few remaining professional resident repertory theaters in the U.S. operating year-round.
Day
5
Program Concludes
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Dining Hall Buffet. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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