Adventure Awaits at First Landing State Park
The Appalachian Trail is a well known hiking experience recognized far and wide. However, if you don't have three months and thousands of dollars to fund the trek, there is a great local way to explore nature -- and it's just a short drive from most of Hampton Roads.
Located at the tip of Virginia Beach, between Broad Bay and the Atlantic Ocean lies First Landing State Park, or as some locals may still call it, "Seashore State Park". With 2,888 acres of pure wilderness the trails of First Landing provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, with the convenience of never leaving your area code.
Setting out from either the Shore Drive Visitor Center, or 64th Street Entrance, you'll immediately recognize the "cool factor" of this unique piece of wilderness. Within a few seconds, noise of busy commuter traffic fades away, and you start to hear birds chirping as you traverse the winding roads towards the heart of the park.
Take one last glance at your phone, then set it to vibrate, and fully embrace your afternoon adventure. From majestic trees, marshes, soaring birds, reptiles, and seashore creatures, you can find a wide variety of plant and animal life at First Landing State Park.
When planning your weekend hike, one piece of advice would be to avoid trying to accomplish all 19 miles of trail on a single visit. Take your time soaking in the sights and sounds and you'll have a better experience at the park. For first time visitors, there are a few trails listed below which should provide a great first hike.
Popular Trails for Beginners
Cape Henry Trail (6.1 miles)
Long Creek Trail (4 miles)
Osprey Trail (1.5 miles)
The next time you find yourself in need a weekend reboot to recharge the batteries, look no further than First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.