gus_o_nig " A little relaxing hammock time watching a busy day on the lake. " - gus_o_nig TINA ROUTT Pups & Parks Dog lovers know the only way to improve a casual walk or heart-pumping hike is to take your pooch along. A frolicking dog's ever-curious nature makes even familiar trails seem new again, so include your four-legged friend on one of these woof-worthy hikes around the SML region. Bedford County Franklin County Peaks of Otter This Bedford County landmark just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and convenient to the Appalachian Trail offers seven scenic hikes of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. Booker T. Washington National Monument Take a 1.5-mile walk along the meandering Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail, which runs along fields, forests and a babbling creek. Smith Mountain Lake State Park This nearly 1,300-acre retreat in Bedford County offers 13 hiking trails of various lengths that total more than 14 miles, most of which offer scenic lake views. Smith Mountain Lake Community Park At this 37-acre park located on a scenic peninsula in Franklin County, you'll find a 1.7-mile wooded trail that winds all the way around the perimeter. Waid Recreation Area Located near Rocky Mount, Waid Park features more than 7 miles of trails that wind along the peaceful Pigg River and through the quiet countryside of Franklin County. 34 | VISITSMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM Pittsylvania County Ringgold Rail Trail At 5.5 miles, this scenic trail in Pittsylvania County follows part of the right-of-way of a railroad that was an important transportation route for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Its flat terrain makes it ideal for walkers. It's also wheelchair accessible. Remember to always keep your dog leashed, bring plenty of extra water and pick up after your pet.http://www.VISITSMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM