Hiking in the Blue Ridge

Jonathan
Hiking in the Blue Ridge

Sightseeing

Begins at the south end of the Humpback Gap parking area, provides access to Humpback Rocks (1 mile), Humpback Mountain (2 miles), and the Humpback Rocks picnic area (3.9 miles). About a half-mile up the blue-blazed trail, hikers can reach Humpback Rocks from a spur trail on the left. The strenuous 700-foot climb rewards hikers with spectacular views of the Rockfish and Shenandoah Valleys. Hikers continuing straight at the fork for one mile can reach the summit of Humpback Mountain to view ridges to the north. Beyond the summit, the trail winds a half-mile along the top of a cliff to a trail leading to the Humpback Rocks picnic area. Generally, the Humpback Rocks trail is marked with blue blazes on trees, rocks, and other natural features. At times, however, the trail is also part of the Appalachian Trail and may be marked in white. A single blaze indicates the trail continues straight while a double blaze indicates an upcoming turn. Allow one hour to Humpback Rocks, two hours to Humpback Mountain, and four hours to hike to the picnic area. Appalachian Trail This is the nation’s premier hiking path, stretching 2,000 miles from Maine to Georgia. North of Roanoke, it parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is marked with white blazes. The Appalachian Trail can also be accessed from the Humpback Gap parking area. Southbound hikers can reach it by continuing south on the Humpback Rocks trail. Northbound hikers can reach it taking the one mile blue-blazed path at the northern end of the parking lot, or the one mile white-blazed path just off of the Howardsville Turnpike. Mountain Farm Trail Begins at the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center (MP 5.9). This is an easy .25 mile hike through an outdoor museum that is reminiscent of an 1890s mountain farm. During the summer months, costumed interpreters demonstrate southern Appalachian mountain life at the turn of the 20th century. The gravel path leads past the cabin to other outbuildings associated with many mountain farms. The slightly inclined gravel path can accommodate wheelchairs. Catoctin Trail Begins at the Humpback Rocks picnic area (MP 8.5). This .3 mile leg stretcher leads to an overlook of the Shenandoah Valley and the western horizon.
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Humpback Rocks
Blue Ridge Parkway
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Begins at the south end of the Humpback Gap parking area, provides access to Humpback Rocks (1 mile), Humpback Mountain (2 miles), and the Humpback Rocks picnic area (3.9 miles). About a half-mile up the blue-blazed trail, hikers can reach Humpback Rocks from a spur trail on the left. The strenuous 700-foot climb rewards hikers with spectacular views of the Rockfish and Shenandoah Valleys. Hikers continuing straight at the fork for one mile can reach the summit of Humpback Mountain to view ridges to the north. Beyond the summit, the trail winds a half-mile along the top of a cliff to a trail leading to the Humpback Rocks picnic area. Generally, the Humpback Rocks trail is marked with blue blazes on trees, rocks, and other natural features. At times, however, the trail is also part of the Appalachian Trail and may be marked in white. A single blaze indicates the trail continues straight while a double blaze indicates an upcoming turn. Allow one hour to Humpback Rocks, two hours to Humpback Mountain, and four hours to hike to the picnic area. Appalachian Trail This is the nation’s premier hiking path, stretching 2,000 miles from Maine to Georgia. North of Roanoke, it parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is marked with white blazes. The Appalachian Trail can also be accessed from the Humpback Gap parking area. Southbound hikers can reach it by continuing south on the Humpback Rocks trail. Northbound hikers can reach it taking the one mile blue-blazed path at the northern end of the parking lot, or the one mile white-blazed path just off of the Howardsville Turnpike. Mountain Farm Trail Begins at the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center (MP 5.9). This is an easy .25 mile hike through an outdoor museum that is reminiscent of an 1890s mountain farm. During the summer months, costumed interpreters demonstrate southern Appalachian mountain life at the turn of the 20th century. The gravel path leads past the cabin to other outbuildings associated with many mountain farms. The slightly inclined gravel path can accommodate wheelchairs. Catoctin Trail Begins at the Humpback Rocks picnic area (MP 8.5). This .3 mile leg stretcher leads to an overlook of the Shenandoah Valley and the western horizon.
This is probably one of my favourite in and out hiking trails along Skyline Drive. A moderately difficult trail at 2.5 miles, this hike will take you approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Follow Skyline Drive north to milepost 94.1 to the Turk Mountain parking area. For an even longer hike, park at the Sawmill Ridge Overlook (MP 95.9) and follow the AT north. Trail access will be on the same side as the overlook. The AT will join the trail to Turk Mountain. At the junction/concrete trail marker, take a left onto the Turk Mountain trail. The concrete trail marker will have a metal band stamped with directional and mileage information.
Turk Mountain Overlook
Skyline Drive
This is probably one of my favourite in and out hiking trails along Skyline Drive. A moderately difficult trail at 2.5 miles, this hike will take you approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Follow Skyline Drive north to milepost 94.1 to the Turk Mountain parking area. For an even longer hike, park at the Sawmill Ridge Overlook (MP 95.9) and follow the AT north. Trail access will be on the same side as the overlook. The AT will join the trail to Turk Mountain. At the junction/concrete trail marker, take a left onto the Turk Mountain trail. The concrete trail marker will have a metal band stamped with directional and mileage information.
With native hardwood forest, deep ravines and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the trail winds its way toward Monticello and back in a very manageable four miles. A maximum grade of 5% keeps it completely accessible to walkers, cyclists and those in wheelchairs. The Saunders-Monticello Trail and park system are open to the public daily.
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Saunders-Monticello Trail
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With native hardwood forest, deep ravines and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the trail winds its way toward Monticello and back in a very manageable four miles. A maximum grade of 5% keeps it completely accessible to walkers, cyclists and those in wheelchairs. The Saunders-Monticello Trail and park system are open to the public daily.
The Blue Ridge Tunnel (also known as the Crozet Tunnel) is a historic railroad tunnel built during the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad in the 1850s. The tunnel was the westernmost and longest of four tunnels engineered by Claudius Crozet to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains at Rockfish Gap in central Virginia. Fashlights/headlamps are recommended, as the tunnel is not lit. Jackets or a sweatshirt is recommended as the tunnel stays a cool 55-65 degrees. Parking is limited with only 20 parking spots on the west/Waynesboro side and 56 parking spots on the east/Afton side. The trail is ADA accessible from the east. The trail is 2.25 miles one way and plan for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
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Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead
215 Afton Depot Ln
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The Blue Ridge Tunnel (also known as the Crozet Tunnel) is a historic railroad tunnel built during the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad in the 1850s. The tunnel was the westernmost and longest of four tunnels engineered by Claudius Crozet to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains at Rockfish Gap in central Virginia. Fashlights/headlamps are recommended, as the tunnel is not lit. Jackets or a sweatshirt is recommended as the tunnel stays a cool 55-65 degrees. Parking is limited with only 20 parking spots on the west/Waynesboro side and 56 parking spots on the east/Afton side. The trail is ADA accessible from the east. The trail is 2.25 miles one way and plan for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.