This Off-The-Beaten-Path Hiking Destination In Virginia Is The Perfect Place To Escape

I don't know about you, but when I think of escapes in Virginia, my mind pictures the mountains. Hidden within Virginia's gorgeous rolling hills and peaks await a plethora of little-known hideaways, hidden gems, and adventures. Today's featured spot is one such place that will put you in an adventurer's frame of mind: Bear's Den Park. It's less a park and more of an off-the-beaten-path hiking destination in Virginia. But it's sure to impress everyone in your family!

To take a look at the trail map and learn other helpful details, be sure to check out the Bear's Den Trail overview on AllTrails.

The Bear's Den Trail is actually part of the famous Appalachian Trail, a thru-hike that spans from Georgia to Maine.

The portion you'll enjoy on this off-the-beaten-path adventure is a beautiful and fairly easy one. The length of the trail is 1.6 miles out-and-back and it's rated easy.

It's a great hike for the whole family, and dogs are welcome, too! They must be kept on a leash the whole time, though.

The trail is definitely underrated, but still popular on the weekends. To avoid the crowds, you might consider waking up early and enjoying a sunrise hike.

After you've completed the trail, you'll loop past the Bear's Den Hostel, a castle-like hostel owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

The hostel sits just 150 yards from the trail and is a welcome respite for hikers having just completed an especially challenging portion of the trail known as the "roller coaster."

Campsites are also available at Bear's Den for those looking for an overnight experience.

Have you ever explored Bear's Den Park? What did you think? Feel free to share your adventures with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you!

And don't forget to stock up on some hiking gear!