Grab local baked goods and coffee before heading out to the trails.
By Allison Zaleski
Summer means hiking season, and every hike is better with food. But forget trail mix and granola bars—stop in to these local favorites to stock up on coffee, croissants, sandwiches and other goodies before your hike.
Happy Creek Coffee and Tea → Bull Run Nature Conservancy
On your way out to Bull Run Nature Conservancy for a hike that covers historic mills, homes and trenches, be sure to stop at The Plains’ Happy Creek Coffee and Tea (just 10 minutes away) to fuel up on pour-over coffee and espresso drinks and to grab a housemade gluten-free blueberry or pumpkin muffin. // Happy Creek Coffee and Tea: 6485 Main St., The Plains; Bull Run: 17405 Beverley Mill Drive, Broad Run
Upper Crust → Sky Meadows State Park
Just off Route 50 on the way to Sky Meadows State Park, which features trails past cow pastures, fishing ponds and panoramic views of the Piedmont Valley, is Middleburg’s Upper Crust. Find dozens of housemade baked goods, including its signature Cow Puddle cookie full of butterscotch and pecans. // Upper Crust: 2 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg; Sky Meadows: 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane
Katie’s Cars & Coffee → Great Falls State Park
Less than 10 minutes from Great Falls State Park, Katie’s, also a meet-up spot for car enthusiasts, offers the on-theme Commuter Croissant Sandwich (bacon, egg, tomato and cheese). While exploring Great Falls, take in the magnificent waterfalls and choose from six different hikes including rock scrambles and paths following the historic canal. // Katie’s Cars & Coffee House: 760 Walker Road, Great Falls; Great Falls: 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Hidden Julles Cafe → Old Rag Mountain
Drive through Warrenton before picking up Route 211 out to Old Rag Mountain, and you’ll find Hidden Julles Cafe offering a mostly organic menu, with items like the Monte Cristo and a vegetable burrito. After stopping by, drive about an hour to Old Rag where a view of the Shenandoah National Park is the reward for scrambling up boulders and conquering one of the most challenging hikes in Virginia. // Hidden Julles: 70 Main St., Suite 22, Warrenton; Old Rag Parking Lot: Nethers Road, Etlan
Jirani Coffeehouse → Manassas National Battlefield Park
Recently opened in Manassas, Jirani has three in-house bakers creating homemade bagels, quiches, pies and cheesecakes, making for a great pit-stop on the way to hike the Manassas National Battlefield Park. Explore the gentle trails leading to Civil War structures, cannons and statues making for a historical hike suitable for all ages. // Jirani Coffeehouse: 9425 West St., Manassas; Manassas Nataional Battlefield Park: 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas
