Okay, we don’t mean it like that. But you should go for a hike while you are here! Sugar Tree Inn is located less than one mile from Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 27 in Virginia’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, giving us easy access to some of the area's best hiking trails, waterfalls, mountain overlooks, birdwatching spots, and wilderness adventures. While we have hiking trails right here on our property, sometimes the best way to explore an area is to get out and (metaphorically) get lost. Whether you’re looking for an easy waterfall walk or a challenging all-day adventure, we’ve picked some of our favorite trails that we love recommending to guests and stuck them all here in one location for you—you might even recognize your room name with some of them!
What we like the most is all of these hikes are within a short drive of Sugar Tree Inn in Vesuvius, Virginia, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Lexington, Staunton, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. This will be part one of an ongoing series featuring some of our favorite hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Sugar Tree Inn. Keep a look-out for future blogs!
St Mary’s Wilderness & St. Mary's Falls Trail 
Best for: Waterfall lovers, cooling off in natural swimming holes, spring wildflowers (including Lady Slippers), and hikers looking for a moderate adventure.
Saint Mary’s Wilderness has two popular routes that differ in length and difficulty. The most popular route is the St. Mary’s Falls trail, a moderate 4.2 mile (out and back) hike that brings you to the iconic waterfall. Dotted along the way are spots to take a dip in the creek if you’re feeling the Virginia summer heat a little too much! The Wilderness loop takes you to the same places as the Falls Trail, but this difficult 10.5 mile long loop will take you through Flint Mountain and Bald Mountain, hitting the peak of both.
St Mary’s trail is near and dear to us, not only because we have a room named after it, but spotted along the trail can be the Lady Slipper flower, which happens to be the state flower of our home state Minnesota; a little piece of home while we are on our own adventure!
Directions from Sugar Tree Inn:
- Head down the mountain on Hwy 56 and just past Gerties, turn right onto State Rte 608/S. Bottom Rd.
- Keep right to stay on Rte 608 and near the train bridge, trun right to stay on Rte 608.
- Turn right onto St. Mary's Rd. The parking lot is at the end of that road.
Tar Jacket Ridge to Cole Mountain Trail
Best for: Mountain views, birdwatching, and wildflowers.
Tar Jacket Ridge to Cole Mountain is a moderate 6 mile out and back trail that is a fan favorite for bird and butterfly watchers. Lightly wooded with lots of open field and meadow walking, this is well maintained trail that many say provides a nice walk with some elevation change. The trail finishes at the peak of Cole Mountain where you will then turn back around.
Directions from Sugar Tree Inn:
- Head South on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Buena Vista exit (Hwy 60). Head east, then turn left onto Coffeytown Road (Route 634).
- Drive for 1.6 miles, then turn right onto Wiggins Spring Road (Route 755).
- Stay on this gravel road for about 2.5 to 2.7 miles until you reach the trailhead parking on the left side of the road.
Whetstone Ridge Trail
Best for: Experienced hikers looking for a quieter trail with panoramic views.
Upping the ante a little bit is Whetstone Ridge, just a few minute drive from Sugar Tree Inn along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 11.5 mile out and back trail is considered hard, and while it is well marked, there are parts that are overgrown with grass, meaning you might have to do a little wading through. We recommend making sure you wear long pants and have some bug spray with you. If you didn’t pack any spray, not to worry, we have some for purchase in the lodge! This hike is best in spring and fall where foliage isn’t as heavy and the views are more on display.
Directions from Sugar Tree Inn:
- Head up the mountain on Hwy 56 (turning right out of our driveway) to the Blue Ridge Parkway (less than 1 mile).
- Head South on the Parkway for approximently one mile.
- Whetstone Ridge Visitors Center will be on your right hand side.
P.S: you can also find Lady Slippers here too!
White Rock Falls Trail
Best for: Waterfalls, swimming holes, photography, and families with hiking experience.
Considered a moderate trail, this 4.4 mile loop trail is a little further east from St. Mary’s Wilderness, meaning it is still nice and close to us and easy to get to and from. While mostly level, the end will have you going gradually uphill. Along the way you will get to see the trail’s namesake—White Rock Falls—and the streams that follow. If you’re hiking this during the summer, consider bringing a swimsuit and taking a dip in the natural shallow pools that form by the waterfall! Be sure to keep an eye out for Slacks Overview (about one mile into the hike) for gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountain range.
Directions from Sugar Tree Inn:
- Head up the mountain on Hwy 56 (turning right out of our driveway) to the Blue Ridge Parkway (less than 1 mile).
- Head North on the Parkway for 8.7 miles
- The trailhead parking lot will be on your lefthand side.
Want to make sure you are prepared for your hiking advenuture? Read our blog post Our Top 5 Hiking Tips for Exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail!
There are so many more trails near us that we couldn’t possibly fit it into one blog post. We will continue to post more of our favorite and guest favorite’s trails, so keep checking our page for more hiking inspiration. And if you do go out hiking, let us know which you recommend for other guests and share your pictures with us! We want to finish this blog off with a couple pictures from a guest who stayed with us recently, Peggy Siegel, who snapped some great pictures of St. Mary’s Wilderness.
About Sugar Tree Inn:
Sugar Tree Inn is a mountain bed and breakfast in Vesuvius, Virginia, located less than one mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Guests stay with us to enjoy hiking, scenic drives, birdwatching, waterfalls, wineries, and the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. We love sharing our favorite local trails and hidden gems to help visitors experience the area like a local.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hikes near Sugar Tree Inn?
Some of our favorites include St. Mary's Wilderness, White Rock Falls, Whetstone Ridge, and Tar Jacket Ridge to Cole Mountain.
How far is Sugar Tree Inn from the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Sugar Tree Inn is located less than one mile from Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 27.
Are there waterfall hikes near Sugar Tree Inn?
Yes. Both St. Mary's Falls and White Rock Falls are popular waterfall hikes within a short drive.
Which hikes are best for birdwatching?
Tar Jacket Ridge to Cole Mountain is one of our favorite hikes for spotting birds and butterflies.