East coast airport close to good hiking trails

[DC_Mooniac]

Hey everyone,

I am based near Washington, DC and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for where I could fly with my wife to go hiking.  Ideally, there would be trails near the airport, which would save me the hassle of renting a car, etc., and the airport would be within 250nm of W00 so we could do it as a day trip.  My wife enjoys flying with me, though she wishes that we went hiking more often, and I thought this would be a good way for both of us to do what we really enjoy.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

[carusoam]

DC Mooniac,

 

Consider my favorite hike....26N

 

Ocean City, NJ (not MD).

 

The hike is a flat board walk about three miles long, six to go back and forth.

 

The beach is about four blocks from the airport, the boardwalk starts a little further up.

 

If you are going to hike six miles, you can easily eat the indigenous foods..pizza, hot dogs, french fries, ice cream etc....

 

OCNJ is a kid friendly, dry town.  There is a missing demographic.  18 to 28 year olds go to the more hip places....(aka Jersey Shore - Seaside Heights)

 

It costs less to park your plane than it does to park your car...

 

26N is close enough to PA, so bring your Phillies or Flyers t-shirt.  If you don't have one, one will be supplied for you at the many shops along the boardwalk.

 

Enjoy.

 

Best regards,

 

-a-

[Jeff_S]

Well, you might try Sylva NC (24A) which is a great little strip at the top of a mountain about 40 miles west of Asheville.  My in-laws live in Cullowhee which is at the bottom of the hill, and home to Western Carolina University (go Catamounts). I don't know of any hiking trails directly off the airport, but it's pretty country, and I bet you could arrange for a car that would get you to some Smoky Mountains trails in 15 minutes or less.

[Ncbosshoss]

West Jefferson/Jefferson, NC has a lot of good hiking nearby. Ashe County airport very close by (KGEV). Very nice airport and great folks at the FBO.

 

Chris

[BorealOne]

Try KLUA - Luray, Va. It's at the foot of Shenandoah National Park--easily the best hiking in the DC area. The airport offers a free shuttle to the Luray Caverns (also worth a visit) and there are paid shuttles from Luray into the park itself. Short hop in a Mooney!

[231Pilot]

Not quite what you are asking for, but KGKT (Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, TN) is close to more hiking trails than you could try in a couple of weeks.  Maps and guidebooks of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park Hiking Trails are available from the National Park Service, and there are lots of cabins to rent for a weekend.  I've been hiking those trails for several years and they are great.  Waterfalls, bluffs, caves, mountain peaks and entry to the Appalachian Trail are available.  Difficulty level from easy (paved, wheelchair accessible trails) to difficult are available.

Not a day trip for you, but a heck of a way to spend a weekend, expecially with the fall colors approaching (usually early to mid October).

[Jeff_S]

Quote: 201Pilot

Not quite what you are asking for, but KGKT (Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, TN) is close to more hiking trails than you could try in a couple of weeks.  Maps and guidebooks of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park Hiking Trails are available from the National Park Service, and there are lots of cabins to rent for a weekend.  I've been hiking those trails for several years and they are great.  Waterfalls, bluffs, caves, mountain peaks and entry to the Appalachian Trail are available.  Difficulty level from easy (paved, wheelchair accessible trails) to difficult are available.

Not a day trip for you, but a heck of a way to spend a weekend, expecially with the fall colors approaching (usually early to mid October).

[Comatose]

North Adams, Mass is right on the Appalachian trail, on the Vermont border. Great hiking.

 

Seven Springs airport is on the Laurel Highland trail in PA, but I think i is closed.

[John Pleisse]

Luray, Bryce, Hot Springs, Shannendoah, and Galax....all within 1:45 and in VA. Watch your density altitiudes.

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: JimR

Is Mr. Stump still at KGEV?  Also, there used to be a perfectly original straight 35 Bonanza there, wood prop and all.  It was like a time capsule.  I always admired it, but unfortunately I'm way too practical-minded to own something like that. 

Jim 

[jasong]

Quote: carusoam

 

DC Mooniac,

 

Consider my favorite hike....26N

 

Ocean City, NJ (not MD).

 

The hike is a flat board walk about three miles long, six to go back and forth.

 

The beach is about four blocks from the airport, the boardwalk starts a little further up.

 

If you are going to hike six miles, you can easily eat the indigenous foods..pizza, hot dogs, french fries, ice cream etc....

 

OCNJ is a kid friendly, dry town.  There is a missing demographic.  18 to 28 year olds go to the more hip places....(aka Jersey Shore - Seaside Heights)

 

It costs less to park your plane than it does to park your car...

 

26N is close enough to PA, so bring your Phillies or Flyers t-shirt.  If you don't have one, one will be supplied for you at the many shops along the boardwalk.

 

Enjoy.

 

Best regards,

 

-a-