People who enjoy being outdoors love Lynchburg! From scenic, well-traveled trails systems and city parks to hikes in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains to outdoor adventure sports and river activities, this incredible city has so much to offer the adventure-loving visitor. Here’s an itinerary that will give you a taste of some of our favorite nature activities.
Day 1
As an appetizer to your grand outdoor adventure in LYH, begin with a rock-climbing session at Downtown Lynchburg’s Rise Up indoor climbing gym. Founded by Dan and Leslie Hague, two of the most accomplished climbing theorists and instructors in America, Rise Up has more than 6,000 square feet of climbable surface, with 20 lead and top-rope climbing stations and more than 1,000 square feet of top-out bouldering. Test your skills on a variety of courses from beginner to advanced, and experience the thrill of reaching the top after maneuvering your way up strategically placed handholds. If you’re really up for a challenge, try bouldering, an experience that has you climb a low-to-the-ground rock face without the use of ropes.
Day 2
Your adventure is about to begin in earnest! Start by picking up the ingredients for a picnic at the Lynchburg Community Market, where local vendors and small restaurants offer great breakfasts, lunches and baked goods. On Saturdays, farmers and other vendors also sell local fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, baked goods, and more year-round at the Market. Then, grab a morning coffee at Mission House Coffee or the White Hart Cafe, and prepare for your first adventure.
Row Your Boat
The James River offers a bunch of amazing water-sports activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Put a canoe, kayak or inner tube in the water (maybe with some help from James River Adventures) and gently float down the river on which our picturesque city was founded. Watch the sun dance on the waves and take in the majesty of the towering trees and pebbly beaches that line the waterway. These are calm, peaceful moments that feel like they could last forever.
Return to the Downtown area and enjoy your picnic repast at Riverfront Park. Then continue your Lynchburg adventure with a leisurely afternoon activity. Lynchburg has much of these to offer, so you could rent a bike from Bikes Unlimited and hit the Blackwater Creek and Riverwalk Trails, play a brisk game of Frisbee golf or tennis at Peaks View Park or pick up a brand new skateboard at Scene 3 bicycle and board shop and break it in at Rotary Centennial Riverfront Skatepark.
Dinnertime!
With all of these adventures under your belt, you’ll work up an appetite. So after you’ve said goodbye to the parks and trails, continue enjoying the Lynchburg outdoors by sitting outside with a delicious meal and a cold drink on the porch of one of our excellent waterfront restaurants, like The Water Dog, Depot Grille, El Jefe or Bootleggers. Conclude your outdoor adventure for the day by sipping your drink and watching as the sun begins to take its leave for the day behind the mountains you climbed just this morning.
Day 3: Take a Hike!
It’s time for a morning hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Get on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a total of 469 miles long, and begin your journey on “America’s favorite scenic drive”. This road is filled with pull-offs and recreational activities for enjoying the fresh mountain air and the jaw-dropping views of Central Virginia.
A number of trails branch off from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Peaks of Otter as part of the Appalachian Trail. Park and experience the invigoration of hiking through lush forests, hopping across gurgling streams and reaching the peak of a mountain like Sharp Top or McAfee Knob. When you’re finished, return to the main metropolitan area of Lynchburg for a well-deserved lunch.
Now that’s what we call a full trip! We hope you enjoy your adventure and treasure the memories you created when visiting our gem of a city. Bon voyage!