Escape the city for a day and enjoy local hikes followed by visits to one of a kind breweries and vineyards in the DC area. Hike local. Drink Local.
03/18/2022
Friday + daylight savings is hard to beat. Take advantage of the late light with a post work trails & ales outing, combining the Anacostia Trail with a visit to the new waterfront brewery . They have delicious food to accompany their juicy brews.
10/29/2020
Check out these 6 hikes for amazing views without the traffic of Shenandoah. See our stories and read below for panoramic videos and more info for these hikes:
*
Hike 1. Pics 1-3: Tibbet K**b, 3 mile out and back with rock scramble. Unreal views on both sides of ridge.
*
Hike 2. Pics 4-5: Chimney Rock and Blueridge overlook in Catoctin Mountain Park. Tons of different trail lengths and options with stellar views and a waterfall hike if that's your thing.
*
Hike 3. Pic 6: Sky Meadows State Park. So many trail options for all difficulty levels. This place is magical and always looks like a painting.
*
Hike 4. Pic 7-8: Buzzard Rocks, 4 mile out and back with killer views on both sides of the ridge of Shenandoah and GWNF.
*
Hike 5. Pic 9: Weverton Cliffs. 3 mile out and back with Potomac River and mountain views. You can hike from the river to the peak to appreciate where you started. This is easier and less crowded than its neighbor hike, Maryland Heights trail
*
Hike 6. Pic 10: Shenandoah River State Park. This picture is from spring, but headed there this weekend to get the fall edition. Incredible views and seemingly less well known than other parks/hikes in the area. Tons of options for all ability levels.
10/20/2020
Get 20% off gear rentals for camping, hiking, and even paddling, with our friends at Capitol Hill Outfitters. If you've been wanting to try camping but don't have the gear, or are looking to try out some gear before you buy, definitely look to Capitol Hill Outfitters for everything you need. They are a super awesome local business and can help you decide what will work best for you and your group. They're hooking up Trails & Ales followers with 20% off by using the promo TRAILS at checkout.
*
Also, it can be difficult to find campsites during peak leaf season. Used Hipcamp for the first time this summer and it will not be the last. Imagine Airbnb for campgrounds. People rent out their land, RVs or facilities to campers. It comes in clutch during touristy times of years and there are some incredible campsites to be had. Found out about that way this summer and am headed back there this fall. Highly recommend!
08/20/2020
A year ago, we were hiking the villages of Cinque Terre and dreaming of future international Trails & Ales trips. Hopefully that will not be TOO far in the distant future. To learn more about this bucket list hike, read below.
*
Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the 5 towns, colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces, harbors are filled with fishing boats and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto. The Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail links the villages and offers sweeping sea vistas. @ Cinque Terre, Italy
06/25/2020
This line up for looks amazing. Today highlights Head to to hear from multiple organizations about the physical, mental, and even meditative benefits of hiking.
We will definitely be tuning in tomorrow for a virtual town hall with Black outdoor organizations and influencers. And there's an opportunity to register for a virtual hike on Saturday.
To learn more about and the groups who founded it, read below and follow the accounts that we are super grateful for for organizing.
-------
"June 22nd through Saturday June 27th as we engage, inspire and have important conversations around the black outdoor community.
•
Our goal for this week is to highlight all the beautiful black people around the world who hike, highlight all the amazing black organizations out here supporting and paving the way for black people in the outdoors space, and to encourage and uplift black people to join us in this movement to get outdoors!
•
To participate and engage with us tag and use the hashtag
•
Follow all week for inspiration, education, and a healthy dose of blackjoy
•
Follow for updates all week!
•
was founded and curated by
06/11/2020
In the coming weeks, we will be highlighting some incredible outdoor and environmental organizations that focus on connecting the Black community and other people of color to nature via outdoor education, exploration, and conservation. They are working to change the face and leadership of the outdoor, environmental, and conservation world, which for too long has been predominantly white.
This week we are sharing about Outdoor Afro. They are nationwide and have an office in DC. To learn more about them and ways to support this awesome organization, swipe through, read below, and follow them
"Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. We help people take better care of themselves, our communities, and our planet! Outdoor Afro is a national non-profit organization with leadership networks around the country. With nearly 80 leaders in 30 states from around the country, we connect thousands of people to outdoor experiences, who are changing the face of conservation. So come out in nature with us, or be a partner to help us grow our work so that we can help lead the way for inclusion in outdoor recreation, nature, and conservation for all!"
06/06/2020
Today is National Trails Day. We joined thousands on the National Mall walking the trail that so many agents of social justice have walked before us.
It's a long trail, it's a hard trail, but but one we must continue to walk.
@ National Mall (monuments) Washington, DC
06/02/2020
Black Lives Matter
Another moment of zen for taken at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from the South Rim Trail. It's a short must do hike while you're there.
A little golden hour zen. May is mental health awareness month and this May, during covid, it feels especially important to focus on our mental health. "Research shows a link between exposure to nature and stress reduction. Stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature as measured by muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity. Time in green spaces significantly reduces your cortisol, which is a stress hormone." Whether you're on the trail or in a green space in your neighborhood, getting outside improves your mood.
If you're struggling or overwhelmed with increased anxiety and depression, or know someone who is, here are a few resources:
Crisis text line: text HOME to 741741
Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
03/25/2020
Oh, how we miss you! This is typically the week we announce our spring lineup. For now, we'll keep dreaming of upcoming trips with you and we'll be sure to get our lineup posted as soon as it's safe and responsible to do so.
What sort of content would you like to see in lieu of our spring hikes? Information on awesome local trails, out of town trails, or even international trails? Interesting facts to grow those self-isolation brains? Tips for hiking, camping, or backpacking? Favorite refreshments at our favorite drinking holes? Let us know and we'll do our best to provide.