First Landing State Park (10-11 miles, moderate)

Let's build up some distance stamina and get ready for longer mountain hikes!
As Virginia's most-visited state park, it's an oasis within urban Virginia Beach. The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage.
The park is where English colonists first landed in 1607. Native American canoes, Colonial settlers, 20th-century schooners and modern cargo ships have navigated the park's waterways. Its cypress swamps were a source of fresh water for merchant mariners, pirates and military ships during the War of 1812. Legend has it that Blackbeard hid in the Narrows area of the park, and interior waterways were used by Union and Confederate patrols during the Civil War. Built in part by an all African-American Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933-1940, the park is a National Natural Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
We will hike the trails and then take a quick walk on the beach across the street. For those interested we will stop for dinner in the area.

Optional stop for dinner on the way home

HIKE DETAILS
Difficulty: moderate
Hike Distance: 10-11 miles
Elevation Change: +-200'
Hike Pace: Moderate
Terrain: sandy trails
Trail Map: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
Dogs Allowed: yes
What to bring: Wear broken in hiking shoes or boots; bring a daypack with water, snacks, lunch, rain gear, insect repellant, sunscreen, ID, and basic first aid supplies.
Carpool fee for this hike: $15.00 per person assuming a full car load
Cancellation: Updates will be announced via a comment on the event page in case of Uncle ent weather.