[Story No. 13] Adventure Awaits in First Landing State Park

The Appalachian Trail is a well known hiking experience recognized far and wide. However, if you don't have three months and thousands of dollars to fund the trek, there is a great local way to explore nature -- and it's just a short drive from most of Hampton Roads.

Located at the tip of Virginia Beach, between Broad Bay and the Atlantic Ocean lies First Landing State Park, or as some locals may still call it, "Seashore State Park". With 2,888 acres of pure wilderness the trails of First Landing provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, with the convenience of never leaving your area code.

Setting out from either the Shore Drive Visitor Center, or 64th Street Entrance, you'll immediately recognize the "cool factor" of this unique piece of wilderness. Within a few seconds, noise of busy commuter traffic fades away, and you start to hear birds chirping as you traverse the winding roads towards the heart of the park.

Take one last glance at your phone, then set it to vibrate, and fully embrace your afternoon adventure. From majestic trees, marshes, soaring birds, reptiles, and seashore creatures, you can find a wide variety of plant and animal life at First Landing State Park. When planning your weekend hike, one piece of advice would be to avoid trying to accomplish all 19 miles of trail on a single visit. Take your time soaking in the sights and sounds and you'll have a better experience at the park. For first time visitors, there are a few trails listed below which should provide a great first hike.

Popular Trails for Beginners

• Cape Henry Trail (6.1 miles)
• Long Creek Trail (4 miles)
• Osprey Trail (1.5 miles)

The next time you find yourself in need a weekend reboot to recharge the batteries, look no further than First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.

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About the Series: Every week a local business or organization will be featured with the hope to tell their story here on LinkedIn. There are so many great restaurants, coffee shops, and retail venues in Hampton Roads that need a little help getting the word out to the public. The goal is to share a story, that will help people discover something new, whether a Downtown boutique or a beachfront bistro.

TechArk | Sail Nauticus | Cure Coffeehouse | Doumar's | Field Guide | Hummingbird Macarons | Grilled Cheese Bistro | Freemason Abbey | Sunrise Cafe | Orapax | Harrison Opera House | Old Coast Guard Station

About The Author: Fred Rose is a digital communication professional with a passion for brand storytelling. After beginning his career with the American Red Cross -- he has since worked with a variety of organizations to establish brand & advertising strategies.