Adventure Awaits for the Whole Family
7 Fun Things To Do in Love Ridge Over the Weekend
Whether your idea of a memorable weekend involves a picnic on the sandy shores of a lake, hiking through national forests, eating and browsing at the local farmers market, thrill-filled tubing down a mountain, trekking to a waterfall, or a relaxing and quiet night of dinner and soaking in a private tub, it’s all part of the Blue Ridge Mountains experience at our Virginia vacation rentals.
– Get Out Into Nature on Our Love Ridge Trails –
One of the best aspects of staying in one of our cabins, tent sites, or glamping rooms is that you don’t have to travel to get out into nature – step outside, and trails lead throughout our property, showing off the Blue Ridge Mountains wilderness all around. We are proud to have an official Bird and Wildlife Trail on site, one of 65 statewide trails designated by the state of Virginia chosen for their unique wildlife and birding opportunities. Bring your binoculars and look for wood thrushes, several types of warbler species, intensely bright and hard-to-miss scarlet tanagers, and larger birds like hawks and falcons that hunt from high above. You’ll also likely wander across white-tailed deer, a common sight in our wooded backyard.
– Have a Picnic on the Lake –
We are lucky to have the “jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Sherando Lake, less than a 10-minute drive from Love Ridge. The 25-acre lake is picturesque, fed by fresh spring water, and surrounded by trees on all sides. Set up your blanket on the soft sand near the water, which feels like a beach and is perfect for sunbathing and enjoying your picnic with serene mountain views. The lake swimming area is shallow, safe for kids, and warms up during summer, so take a dip to cool off between snacking and relaxing.
– Spend a Morning at Waynesboro Farmers Market –
Start your Saturday with a leisurely and scenic drive north on the Blue Ridge Parkway, known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” and take in panoramic views at the Shenandoah Valley lookout on your way to Waynesboro. Every Saturday from May through October, the local community comes together from 9 am – 1 pm in downtown Waynesboro for the Farmers Market, held at Constitution Park under a pavilion (providing shade during the balmy summer months). Support nearby farms like Poplar Ridge and Grazelen, sip on local java from Farmhaus Coffee, and choose from loaves of bread, delicious jams, and other tasty treats to enjoy during your Love Ridge stay. After browsing through the market, walk down to the Greenway Trail, which has excellent views of the flowing waters of the South River through Constitution Park.
– Hike to a Waterfall –
Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains is spectacular, especially near Love Ridge, where national forests, well-maintained trail systems, and several waterfalls surround our property. We’re spoiled to have a few waterfalls nearby, but the closest is White Rock Falls, just 2.5 miles away and right around the bend on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 4-mile White Rock Falls loop is one of the most popular trails in the region, winding through dense forest, crossing the stream on wooden footbridges, and rewarding hikers with up-close views of cascading waterfalls. Depending on your fitness level, plan for 2-3 hours to do the whole loop, and head out later in the day to avoid the heat and crowds, which taper down in the late afternoon.
– Take the Plunge at Wintergreen –
During the winter months, our neighbor on Love Ridge – Wintergreen Resort – is home to some of the best skiing on the East Coast. After the snow melts in spring, the mountain crew at Wintergreen transforms the slopes into the Plunge Tubing Park, where you can fly nearly 1,000 yards downhill on a tube – as they say, it’s “just plain tubular fun!” It’s a blast for the whole family, with the only limitations being a minimum age of 6 and a height of at least 42 inches. Plunge tickets are good for 45 minutes, so fly down the hill, ride the conveyor belt back up, and repeat the fun as many times as possible!
– Get Out on the Appalachian Trail –
The Appalachian Trail is legendary, stretching over 2,100 miles through multiple states along the east coast. Love Ridge offers unique and easy access to a portion of the Appalachian Trail as it crosses through the Three Ridges Wilderness, accessible by foot just behind your cabin or campsite. Although some sections of the Three Ridges Trail are steep, you can choose your distance and loop back, making it accessible for hikers of any level. It’s equally pristine during every season, with wildflowers and rushing streams in the warmer months and glistening snow-covered meadows in the wintertime.
– Enjoy a Cozy Lasagna Dinner Night and a Relaxing Soak –
After a fun-filled day spent enjoying the outdoors, plan a relaxing weekend evening at your Love Ridge cabin with a delicious Italian dinner and after-meal soak in the hot tub. Three large cabins (Torrey Ridge, Ravens Roost, and Sherando) and one medium-sized cabin (Spy Rock) have private hot tubs. Six other medium cabins (Dripping Rock, Kennedy Ridge, Meadow Mountain, Three Ridges, Hanging Rock, and Bee Mountain) have indoor jetted tubs. Reserve a cheese or meat lasagna dinner provided by local Italian fave Mona Lisa Pasta, which we’ll leave in your freezer, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven. After a delicious meal, take a private soak in the warm water of your tub, a lovely way to unwind on Love Ridge.
Stay in our Blue Ridge Cabins, where the beauty, adventure, relaxation, and fun awaits!
