There’s something renewing about a walk in the woods. When city dwellers need to get away from it all, there’s no better place to go than The Woods Resort. Located in Hedgesville, W.Va., at the northern gateway to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, The Woods Resort is a great getaway for golfing, hiking, fishing, swimming or taking in a spa treatment. Nestled in the Sleepy Creek Mountains of West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, it is only a 90-minute drive from the Baltimore-Washington area.

Picture yourself teeing off as you take in the majestic panoramic views of the mountains on the 18-hole Mountain View Championship Course, which wanders around a wooded plateau. Most holes are on flat ground, but for those that are not, golfers are happy to ride carts up and down the hills between those greens and tees. Carved from a forest, Mountain View’s fairways are framed by dogwood, maple, oak and pine trees. The new 18-hole Stony Lick mid-length golf course is a shorter walk but still a challenge for beginners, juniors and seniors. It plays an hour faster and is more walker friendly.

The adjoining Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area contains more than 75 miles of hiking trails and a 205-acre fishing lake. Hiking trail maps are available at the front desk. Guests may also fish in the Walden Pond or Sylvan Lake at the golf course. The Woods has two 25-meter pools, lighted tennis courts, basketball/volleyball courts, softball field and a horseshoe pit. Many guests prefer to spend their leisure time walking or jogging the many miles of lightly traveled country roads surrounding The Woods.

And, don’t worry if the weather is bad. The Woods is a four-season resort, and its indoor sports center provides rainy day and winter recreational activity. The sports center houses a heated swimming pool and large whirlpool, tennis and racquetball courts, a gymnasium for volleyball and basketball, and a fully equipped exercise room.

Do you need a little pampering? The Sleepy Creek Spa will energize and renew you as you take advantage of its many spa treatments for men and women. The attentive staff will make you feel like you are the most special person in the world as they work to take away your stress. Begin with a soak in the whirlpool or enjoy a cup of herbal tea in the fireside reception area. Guests can indulge in skin care treatments, manicure and pedicure services, body treatments and a variety of heavenly massage treatments. You can also get a haircut and color services.

Guests at The Woods will enjoy the rustic charm of the lodging, which is nestled among its 1,800 wooded acreage. The rooms and suites in the Walden Lodge offer great views of the pond and outdoor pool and come with a king-size bed, refrigerator and whirlpool bath. The rooms in the Evergreen Lodge offer beautiful views of the woods and have soaring ceilings, whirlpool bath, gas fireplace and refrigerator. The Meadow Cottages have four bedrooms and are ideal for small groups. The one-bedroom Pinecrest Cottages were completely remodeled in 2007.  These newly modern cottages sleep up to four and come with a gas fireplace, kitchenette, central heat/air-conditioning, flat-screen TV and an oversized bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower.

The Woods offers good food at affordable prices. The Walden Restaurant, which overlooks the pond and pool, offers a fine dining experience with its variety of seafood, steak, poultry and pasta dishes.  Diners must treat themselves to the parmesan crab dip before their entrée!  The Walnut Pub offers lighter fare with your favorite beverage in a more casual atmosphere. 

If you are looking for the perfect place to hold a conference, banquet, or family reunion, The Woods Conference Center caters to groups up to 100 and is a full-service reunion planner.

West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle boasts numerous scenic, historic and cultural activities within a short drive of The Woods. History buffs will enjoy Harpers Ferry National Park, historic Shepherdstown, Antietam Battlefield and Berkeley Springs (a favorite retreat of George Washington). Each summer, the Contemporary American Theater Festival comes to nearby Shepherdstown, offering new, cutting-edge plays from America’s best playwrights.

There is great shopping nearby at Martinsburg Mall, Prime Outlets and Valley Mall in Hagerstown. For shopping in a quaint area, visit Shepherdstown for a delightful afternoon of strolling in West Virginia’s most historic and oldest town. For the adventurous, whitewater rafting and kayaking, professional auto racing and thoroughbred racing are also close by.

The Woods Resort is located on Mountain Lake Road, Hedgesville, WV 25427, and offers many special packages. Visit www.TheWoods.com or call 800-248-2222 for details. For information on attractions in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, visit www.Hello-WV.com.