Breaks Interstate Park, famously known as the home of the Grand Canyon of the South, is a treasure trove of natural wonders. From expansive vistas to campgrounds and even guided elk tours, this park has no shortage of adventure. And the best news of all? You can enjoy the beauty of the park right here and right now, thanks to a virtual hike put together by the Breaks Interstate Park Superintendent, Austin Bradley. As he takes you along the beautiful Chesnut Ridge Guided Trail, you’ll learn about the flora, fauna, history, and culture of this corner of Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains.
By the time you are able to make the journey there, you’ll feel like an expert!
If you’ve never visited before, Breaks Interstate Park belongs at the top of your future travel itinerary for Virginia. The park stretches 4,500 acres and features a 1,000-foot canyon.
Joshua Moore / Getty Images
One of the best introductions to the park is the Chestnut Ridge Trail, which you can enjoy virtually thanks to the park’s recently-released online tour.
PikeTV99 / YouTube
The tour, led by Superintendent Austin Bradley, begins at the trailhead and will take viewers along several points of interest on the trail.
PikeTV99 / YouTube As you’ll learn from the video, the Chesnut Ridge Trail is actually an interpretive self-guided trail. This means that when you visit the park, you can pick up a trail guide that corresponds with the red markers along the route.
For those times when you can’t get outdoors and experience the trail in person, the virtual guide is truly wonderful.
PikeTV99 / YouTube
The virtual tour includes a fascinating overview of the natural landscape, such as the different kinds of trees that grow along the trail and how they’ve played an important role in history.
PikeTV99 / YouTube The yellow poplar tree seen in abundance throughout the park was harvested from the property for timber from the late nineteeth century to the early twentieth century. In some cases, the trees can grow up to 200 feet!
You’ll also learn more about these ancient sandstone rock formations that are so characteristic to this region of the Appalachian Mountains.
PikeTV99 / YouTube It’s common to see rock “shelters” such as these, which are essentially the result of sandstone being eroded by water. It’s believed that Native Americans would take cover under these formations during their hunting expeditions.
By the time the video concludes, you’ll feel as though you’ve had a complete overview of this fascinating Virginia trail.
PikeTV99 / YouTube To quote Superintendent Bradley, “periods of uncertainty or anxiety are much easier to deal with when you have a beautiful area that you can explore.” That’s true even if you’re learning about a new trail from home!
Ready to embark on your adventure at Breaks Interstate Park? The video below is courtesy of PikeTV99 and Park Superintendent Austin Bradley:
Joshua Moore / Getty Images
PikeTV99 / YouTube
As you’ll learn from the video, the Chesnut Ridge Trail is actually an interpretive self-guided trail. This means that when you visit the park, you can pick up a trail guide that corresponds with the red markers along the route.
The yellow poplar tree seen in abundance throughout the park was harvested from the property for timber from the late nineteeth century to the early twentieth century. In some cases, the trees can grow up to 200 feet!
It’s common to see rock “shelters” such as these, which are essentially the result of sandstone being eroded by water. It’s believed that Native Americans would take cover under these formations during their hunting expeditions.
To quote Superintendent Bradley, “periods of uncertainty or anxiety are much easier to deal with when you have a beautiful area that you can explore.” That’s true even if you’re learning about a new trail from home!
Have you embarked on this trail before? What did you think was most fascinating about the guided video tour? Join in on the conversation by leaving a comment below!
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Address: Breaks Interstate Park, 627 Commission Cir, Breaks, VA 24607, USA
