Nelson County, VA is an easy weekend trip if you want a mix of hiking, views, and brewery hopping without overthinking it.
Everything is close enough that you’re not spending your whole day driving. You can hike in the morning, grab food, hit a few breweries, and still have time to slow down and enjoy it. It’s relaxed, scenic, and just works as a quick reset kind of trip.
Explore more of Virginia with some of my favorite places.
Hiking + Views
Blue Ridge Tunnel
This was one of the more unique stops of the trip.
You’re walking straight through a long, dark tunnel, and it definitely feels a little eerie at first. Once your eyes adjust, it turns into a really cool experience and something different from a typical hike.
Bring a flashlight/headlamp or use your phone—you’ll want it.
Humpback Rocks
Short, steep, and worth it.
It’s not a long hike, but it’s enough of a climb to feel like you earned the view. Once you get to the top, it opens up into wide mountain views that make it one of the better payoff hikes in the area.
Breweries + Drinks
Devils Backbone Brewing Company
Probably the most built-out stop.
It’s big, always busy, and has a little bit of everything. We grabbed nachos and fried pickles here, which were both solid, and it’s an easy place to hang out for a while without feeling rushed.
Bold Rock Hard Cider
Even if cider isn’t usually your thing, this is worth trying.
We grabbed a pour here and ended up staying longer than expected. The ciders are light, crisp, and not overly sweet, which makes them easy to drink—especially if you’ve already hit a few breweries.
It’s a bigger space with a lot going on, so it feels more like a destination stop than a quick one.
Blue Mountain Brewery
This was one of the more complete stops of the trip. We had some beers and pizzas and rolled this into our dinner for the day.
It’s a bigger space, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. You’ve got mountain views, plenty of seating, and enough room to actually settle in for a while instead of just grabbing a quick drink and leaving.
We ordered the margherita pizza here, and it ended up being one of the better food stops—simple, but done right. Good crust, fresh toppings, and exactly what you want with a beer.
Between the views, the food, and the overall setup, this is one of the easier places to spend more time than you planned.
Wood Ridge Farm Brewery
Our visit to Wood Ridge was a little quieter and more low-key.
We did a flight here and got the totchos, which were easily one of the better things we ate all weekend. This felt like a good stop to slow things down and just hang out for a bit.
Blue Toad Hard Cider
This was a good spot to switch things up from beer.
We did a flight here, which worked well since it let us try a mix of flavors without committing to a full pour. It’s a smaller, more laid-back setup compared to Bold Rock, and overall just feels quieter.
Easy place to sit outside and take a break for a bit.
Brewing Tree Beer Company
Super laid-back stop.
We grabbed a couple pints and just sat outside for a while. Nothing fancy, just a good place to relax and enjoy the setting.
Pro Re Nata Brewery
This one had more of a lively vibe compared to the other breweries we visited.
We got pints and the buffalo cauliflower, which ended up being one of the better food orders of the trip. Good mix of drinks, food, and energy.
Food Stops
The Blue Ridge Pig
No-frills BBQ spot that’s worth stopping at.
We got the chicken BBQ sandwich, and it was exactly what you want after being outside all day—messy, flavorful, and filling. Nothing fancy, just solid BBQ done right.
Maybelle’s Market
Great in-between stop.
We grabbed sandwiches and candy here, and it was quick, fresh, and easy. Good option if you don’t want to sit down for a full meal but still want something solid.
Coffee + Local Stops
Trager Brothers Coffee
A great stop to start the day.
Simple setup, good coffee, and an easy place to grab something before heading out.
Mountain House Trading Company
We stopped here to grab honey to bring home, and this is one of my favorite apiaries that I’ve visited.
Nice little add-on that makes the trip feel a bit more local and not just brewery hopping.
Final Thoughts
Good views, good drinks, solid food, and everything is close enough that you’re not rushing around trying to fit it all in.
If you want a weekend that feels laid-back but still full, this is a really good option.
Need more travel inspiration, here are some of my favorites:
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Tilghman Island, Maryland
- Glamping in Asheboro, NC
- Telluride, Colorado
- St. Louis, MO
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