Virginia's Walkable Village With Eclectic Retail And Vibrant Charm Has Incredible Nearby Hiking Trails

The charmingly-named small village of Lovingston is nestled deep in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Lovingston's central location is around thirty minutes from larger cities like Lynchburg and the lively Charlottesville, which has a vibrant wine scene. It's also about an hour from the scenic wonder of Natural Bridge State Park. Although Lovingston is less than an hour's drive from three regional airports at Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Shenandoah Valley, most travelers prefer to arrive at this destination by traveling along "America's Favorite Drive," the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway. However, if you feel like ditching your car for a while, you're in luck — Lovingston is an easily walkable destination full of eclectic shops, historical sites, and hiking trails.

When you arrive, take some time for a leisurely stroll around Front Street and visit the historic Nelson County Courthouse. In fact, Lovingston's courthouse and landmark district are both on the National Register of Historic Places, not to mention that Thomas Jefferson designed the local jail. For a bit of shopping and community mingling, stop by the eclectic and whimsical Rapunzel's Coffee and Books for an open mic, poetry reading, or jazz night, but also to peruse the fun used books for sale and grab an espresso. To stay a little longer, you could take advantage of one of the area's fantastic bed and breakfasts, like the circa-1874 Orchard House, which is also an event venue and vineyard. Or, check in at the 36-acre manor house at Red Hill B&B, with its breathtaking mountain views. 

While exploring downtown Lovingston, walk over to Bright Hope Baptist Church, which was established in 1870 for the freedmen and women in the area and remains a prominent African-American cultural site. The white-paneled exterior of the church is striking, nestled among an old cemetery and the rolling hills of the Virginia countryside. Another historical site that lies just over 30 minutes from Lovingston is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, which dates back to the 18th century, and its surrounding award-winning Monticello wine trail.

Near Lovingston, about 4 miles outside town, you can also visit the Oakland Museum, a rural history museum in a former tavern listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Nelson County Historical Society. About 19 miles away, you can also visit the nearby Walton's Mountain Museum, located across from the home of the founder of the Waltons TV show, and see replicas and miniatures of the show's sets. And don't miss stopping by the historic 18th-century Woodson's Mill, one of the only remaining commercially operated water-powered mills in Virginia, where you can still purchase freshly ground products.

To experience Lovingston's beautiful Blue Ridge scenery, head to Fortune's Cove Nature Preserve at Woods Mountain and explore its 755 acres and two trails (3.7-mile and 5.1-mile loops). Keep your eyes peeled for the many varieties of vegetation and bird species. Plant highlights include the oak-hickory forest, moss varieties, rhododendron, dogwood, and wild azalea, while bird species include turkey, red-tail hawk, cerulean and blue-winged warbler, scarlet tanager, and orchard oriole. You'll also see wildflowers such as fire pink, which is chiefly pollinated by the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird.

Lovingston is also around 30 minutes away from an access point to the Appalachian Trail if you feel like hiking a portion of the iconic trek. For something refreshing yet equally adventurous, check out Crabtree Falls about a half hour away, where there's an easy paved walk to see the breathtaking 1,200-foot falls — the highest vertical drop east of the Mississippi. For a more strenuous hike, explore a winding 3-mile trail to four more overlooks where you'll get a bird's-eye view of the scenic vistas of the Tye River Valley. The upper falls lead to another 1.2-mile trail overlooking Crabtree Meadows.

After all that adventuring, Lovingston offers plenty of options for winding down. Close to downtown, you can visit America's most awarded single malt whisky distillery at Virginia Distilling Co. for their tours, tastings, and museum experiences. For vino, be sure to visit the Lovingston Winery, a small batch family-owned vineyard about 5 miles from town that also hosts various fun events like outdoor car shows in the summertime. You'll also want to make the 10-minute drive to the Wood Ridge Farm Brewery, where local beer is crafted with supplies from their farm.