Rock Castle Gorge is one of my favorite hikes. It’s an 11-mile loop that cuts through woods, across balds, and along stony ridges. The diverse terrain is simply beautiful. Just be sure to start at the bottom and hike counterclockwise toward Rocky Knob. The first two miles are a brutal 1,900 foot elevation gain but well worth the effort. The rest of the hike is moderate, and it must be trauma on the knees to take such an elevation going down.