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            [HighlightText] => Hike on the famed Appalachian Trail right into Skyland Resort
            [Description] => Hike on the famed Appalachian Trail right into Skyland Resort
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            [HighlightText] => Visit some of the most iconic waterfalls Shenandoah has to offer
            [Description] => Visit some of the most iconic waterfalls Shenandoah has to offer
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            [HighlightText] => Discover the storied history and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountain region
            [Description] => Discover the storied history and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountain region
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            [Description] => waterfall
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            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => woman hiker
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            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => trail
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            [Description] => sunset
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            [Description] => cubs
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            [Description] => resort
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Ansley S.

Ansley grew up in the city of Atlanta and spent weekends and holidays in the southern Appalachian mountains. After college she worked in Wilderness Therapy in the North Carolina mountains with troubled youth. In the winters, Ansley goes out west to Utah to ski. She has hiked all around the United States, but the Smoky Mountains always call her back. Her favorite activities include, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, rafting, scuba diving, yoga, canyoneering, skiing and, of course, backpacking.

Jack L.

Jack Lloyd was raised in Shelby, North Carolina. He grew up playing in creeks and chasing critters in the foothills of Western North Carolina. Before coming to A Walk in the Woods, Jack was a head guide for the Nantahala Outdoor Center, leading ziplining trips and guiding rafts down the river. Over the winters, Jack is a ski instructor working with kids on the slopes. As an avid whitewater paddler, he loves spending hot summer days on the water. He also enjoys gardening and foraging.

China W.

China Whitmire, a Chattanooga native, spent 15 years in Chicago working in non-profit theater and higher education upon completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago. In 2021, China returned to her Appalachian roots by thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now, leveraging her skills, China brings a unique blend of creativity and expertise to her role as a guide. Her love of storytelling and connection with the southern Appalachian region ultimately led her to A Walk in the Woods.

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                    [Headline] => Welcome to Shenandoah National Park and hike the Appalachian Trail
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5.1 miles hiking with 1,444\' elevation gain and 1,094\' loss
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                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => Meet your guides and fellow hikers this morning for a short introduction and orientation. We load into our van and set off for Sperryville, a quaint community nestled in the foothills of Shenandoah National Park and the start of our adventure. After a quick stop to fuel up with a hot drink or delicious local pastry we continue on to the Appalachian Trail. Today\'s hike takes us along the Appalachian Trail which a short detour to explore Stoney Man. Hiking on the Appalachian Trail affords us sprawling views of the Shenandoah River Valley and the mountains beyond and allows us to hike directly into the Skyland Resort. The Skyland Resort was built in 1895 on the site that would later become the highest point on Skyline Drive at 3,680 feet. Sunset views from the lodge\'s balconies and restaurant are sure to leave a lasting impression.
                    [Breakfast] => 0
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 1.5 hours private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 38.94
                    [Longitude] => -77.46
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            [1] => Array
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                    [DayFrom] => 2
                    [DayTo] => 2
                    [Headline] => Disconnect while exploring Dark Hollow Falls, Historic Rapidan Camp, and Big Rock Falls
                    [ActivityOverview] => 8 miles hiking with 1,708\' elevation gain and 1,878\' loss
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => Kickstart your day with breakfast at the lodge, preparing to lace up your boots for another day of adventure. After a brief transfer, we hit the trail, making our way towards Dark Hollow Falls, Big Rock Falls, and historic Rapidan Camp. Rapidan Camp holds a rich history, having been constructed in 1929 by President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover as their secluded retreat. Here, they hosted trusted friends and advisors, in a space prime for recreation. After a day on the trail we unwind with time exploring the park\'s historic exhibits and dinner at Big Meadows Lodge with stunning views from the dining room.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
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                    [Latitude] => 38.59
                    [Longitude] => -78.381
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                    [DayFrom] => 3
                    [DayTo] => 3
                    [Headline] => Vibrant views of Hawksbill Peak and the tumbling falls of Whiteoak Canyon
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6.7 miles hiking with 628\' elevation gain and 3,131\' loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => Start the day with a delicious breakfast and watch as the fog burns away opening to spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley. We start with a short warm-up hike to Hawksbill Summit, the highest point in Shenandoah National Park at 4,050 feet. From Hawksbill Summit we traverse across Skyline Drive to one of Shenandoah National Park\'s most iconic hikes to Whiteoak Canyon Falls, where we can hike along a series of waterfalls. We keep our eyes peeled for wildlife and soak in each new waterfall along the way.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 38.59
                    [Longitude] => -78.38
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            [3] => Array
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                    [DayFrom] => 4
                    [DayTo] => 4
                    [Headline] => Skyline Drive and Hiking Dickey Ridge into Front Royal
                    [ActivityOverview] => 8.5 miles hiking with 1,114\' elevation gain and 2,518\' loss
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => Today is our final day in Shenandoah National Park, but the adventure is not over. After breakfast we depart Skyland for a scenic drive on the most iconic section of Skyline Drive. What trip to Shenandoah is complete without enjoying Skyline Drive? Our hike today starts near Lands Run Gap and has us hiking parallel with Skyline Drive on Dickey Ridge towards the entrance to Shenandoah National Park and Front Royal. Today we relish views of the Shenandoah Valley and river, lush meadows, and a long gradual descent to the park\'s entrance. Tonight, we have dinner in historic Front Royal, an incredibly quaint town that was a focal point during the Civil War. After dinner we return to our host hotel where we say goodbye to our guides and fellow travelers.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2.5 hours private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 38.94
                    [Longitude] => -77.46
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    [ActivityHighlight] => Trip members should be capable of hiking 5-8 hours each day (up to 10 miles) with as much as 3,100\' elevation gain and loss. Trails can be rough with rocky terrain and steps built into rock, there are significant elevation changes throughout each hike.
    [Trip_Level] => 3
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Accommodations

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Spend three night in historic National Park lodges

Skyland Resort

Comfortable Hotel

Perched atop the Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyland Resort offers an unforgettable retreat within Shenandoah National Park. Wake up to sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley and unwind by the cozy fireplace after a day of hiking scenic trails.