Life Outside Summer 2018 - 27

Trail. The climb begins abruptly. Be prepared for
numerous stream crossings as well as a swimmable waterfall pool one mile in. Just before a forest
road, look for a sign and orange blazes for Old 84
Trail to the right.
Hungry Mother State Park offers a lake with
an accessible island, restaurant and 18 miles of
hiking trails, some very bike-able. The 5.7-mile,
meandering Lake Loop is a favorite with hikers
and cyclists and a good place to spot glossy galax in
flower. Molly's Knob is a 4-mile out and back that,
at 3,270 feet, has the best views in the park. Stone
Lick, Old Shawnee, and Ridge trails are all on the
shorter, family-friendly side. Several biking/running
competitions run over on these hilly trails, including
Survive Smyth and Mountain Do Triathlon.

ZIPPING
Hungry Mother Adventures, spread over 42 acres
below Walker Mountain, is touted as Virginia's
longest, highest, fastest zip line. With nearly a

mile of lines zipping participants over valleys and
through the trees at speeds over 30 mph, this is a
heart-quickening adventure, even if you opt for
the mini zip line tour beneath the big lines. A new
5-faced, 30-ft. rock wall climbing experience and
SkyFall three-story stunt-jump tower were added
this spring to up the adrenaline.
The tubing adventures branch of the private company also shuttles clients to the Middle Fork of the
Holston for two-hour floats through Marion, VA.
Finish your adventures with a lazy afternoon on
the river. (hungrymotheradventures.com)

CANOE, KAYAK, OR FLOAT
New River Trail State Park is the best place for
floating or paddling in Wythe County. Tubers love
to scoot through the small rapids at Foster Falls;
while paddlers can arrange for shuttles up and down
the trail. Tubes, kayaks, canoes and shuttle service
are available at the Foster Falls livery. In the park's
summer Pedal Paddle program, park staff meet up

BIRD ON A WIRE
Even the Hokie Bird can take a trip on the zip at Hungry Mother Adventures.
LifeOutsideMag.com // Summer 2018

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Life Outside Summer 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Summer 2018