Sometimes the best adventures are the ones where you don’t have to pretend you’re training for a triathlon.
The Peaks of Otter Recreation Area in Bedford, Virginia, offers exactly that: a stunning mountain escape without requiring you to mortgage your knees or question your life choices halfway up a steep incline.
Nestled along the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 86, this gem of a destination centers around Abbott Lake, a serene body of water that looks like someone photoshopped it into existence but is gloriously, wonderfully real.
The lake sits cradled between Sharp Top and Flat Top mountains, creating a postcard-perfect scene that’ll have you reaching for your camera before you’ve even gotten out of the car…