Hiking is one of my favorite camping activities. I love getting out on the trails, enjoying the fresh air, and enjoying nature. While on our last camping trip we took our first guided hike. It was a hike where we learned how to identify trees. My husband and I really enjoyed it. Now we’d like to take more guided tours.

A great place to check out guided tours is the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (70 miles west of Washington D.C.). The park is in the Blue Ridge Mountains and they offer 57 different Escape to Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Just 70 miles west of Washington, DC. They offer several different “guided outdoor adventure programs” with a degree of difficulty that goes from easy to very challenging.

There’s a 2 day hiking program that costs $148 per person and features hiking along segments of the Appalachain Trail. The cost includes bag lunches for both days; transportation to the starting points each day; and certified licensed guides. On a scale of 1-5 hiking boots (their rating system) with one being the easiest and five being the hardest, this hike is rated a two.

There’s also a 1 day hiking program with a three boot rating. It takes hikers on some of the less traveled trails off the main road and footpath. A camera is highly recommended because the hikes are very scenic. Lunch is included. The cost is $74 per person.

There’s also a two day Inn-to-Inn hiking program where you hike to Skyland Resort and stay the night; and then hike to Big Meadows Lodge to stay on day 2. No, you don’t have to carry your luggage. That gets transported for you on day 2 (you check into Skyland Resort on day one before starting the hike and take your luggage there yourself). The cost is $148 per person and has a three boot rating.

There are also 2 day waterfalls and wildflower hikes with a three boot rating (again the cost is $148 per person); a one day rock climbing program that’s rated introductory through intermediate with a cost of $99 per person; and three hour twilight hikes with a one boot rating that cost $10 per adult and $8 per child 12 and under.

For more information on the park, the hiking programs, the dates their offered, or to make reservations, visit the park’s website at: http://visitshenandoah.com/ (click on ‘Guided Outdoor Programs’ in the menu bar on the left hand side of the page for information on the hiking programs).