Bikeable brews and other outdoor adventures await you this fall in Loudoun County
With the beautiful autumn landscape and cooler temperatures, fall is one of my favorite times to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. This is the calm before the holiday season and a time to truly unwind with long walks, bike rides and a glass of wine. Loudoun’s rolling countryside transforms into a multi-colored canvas and provides the perfect backdrop for any outdoor adventure.
The ways to enjoy Loudoun’s beauty this fall are endless but here are just some activities I love to do in DC’s Wine Country.
Bikes and brews
Begin your adventure with a bike ride down the W&OD Trail. Start at mile marker 25 to grab a beer from one of Loudoun’s newest breweries, Old Ox, or continue down the path to a longtime favorite, Lost Rhino Brewing Company for live music and unique brews. After, continue to the town of Leesburg to explore the eclectic mix of shops and relax on the patio of Lightfoot Restaurant.
Once refreshed, take the 10-mile journey to Purcellville, where you will pass through the historic village of Paeonian Springs. While in town, take a picture with the giant LOVE letters, sample whiskey at Catoctin Creek Distillery, visit the antique shops and enjoy dinner on the patio of Magnolias at the Mill, which overlooks the W&OD Trail.
Aerial adventures and wine with a view
Get a bird’s eye view of the fall foliage with a Salamander Tree Top Zip Tour. This new zip course takes you through 20 acres of historic Middleburg and across five zips and two suspension bridges.
After, take Snickersville Turnpike, which winds past beautiful stone fences and horse farms, toward Bluemont Vineyards. On the way, stop at the circa 1913 Philomont General Store for a snack and a glimpse into Loudoun’s past.
Once at Bluemont, do one of my favorite activities, which is relax with a glass of Loudoun wine. Located on an eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains at 951’ above sea level, this winery offers spectacular views of the countryside and beyond. It’s said that on a clear day, you can even see the Washington Monument from the tasting room.
If you are up for one more escapade, head north to Harpers Ferry Adventure Center to try the new Adventure Park. Once again you will be soaring through the treetops on ziplines, rope bridges and other obstacles.
Or, head right to dinner at Grandale Restaurant. Enjoy fresh, locally sourced food right from Grandale’s farm and sip wine from the onsite vineyard while dining at one of the outdoor pergolas or on the 32-seat deck, which overlooks the mountains and rolling countryside.
No matter if you decide to bike to the breweries, travel through the trees or just relax and enjoy the countryside with a glass of wine, you are sure to see stunning fall foliage that won’t disappoint.
Let us know what your favorite fall adventure is in Loudoun! For more fall events and ideas, visit www.visitloudoun.org
