Birding and Wildlife Trails (Automobile or bicycle)

Virginia is home to some 400 species of birds, 250 species of fish, 150 species of terrestrial and marine mammals, 150 species of amphibians and reptiles, and a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail network highlights the best places to see birds and wildlife in the Commonwealth. These trails are ideal to explore by car or bicycle.  When you reach a site,  get out and look around.  You may find some interesting species.
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Two of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail Loops includes sites within the proposed Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area:  

• North  River Loop 
  • ​Switzer Lake Area
  • Hone Quarry Recreation Area
  • Briery Branch Dam/Briery Lake
  • Flagpole Knob
  • Reddish Knob
  • Hearthstone Lake
  • Todd Lake Recreation Area)
• Forest Trails Loop
  • ​Braley Pond
  • Ramseys Draft
  • Shenandoah Mountain)

Each loop has a webpage with a map of the loop, descriptions of its viewing sites, and links to tourism information.

The Headwaters Master Naturalists have adopted the Birding and Wildlife Trails on Shenandoah Mountain.

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