Rockbridge County Virginia Hiking Trails
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North Mountain Trail
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George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Length: 9.5 miles
Rating: Strenuous
Blue Blaze
The North Mountain Trail is an 8.6 mile section of trail which begins
on FDR 172 near Longdale Recreation Area and winds its way up the crest of
North Mountain, ending on SR 770. The trail features stream habitats,
interesting rock formations, varied forest types, opportunities for
wildlife viewing and panoramic views as it rises in elevation from 1,700
feet to 3,200 feet. Once on the crest of the mountain, there are excellent
views to the east of Lake Robertson and the Peaks of Otter.
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| North Mountain Trail offers
some of the best viewing opportunities on the district.
The trail was built by the CCC’s in the 1930’s by the men from the
natural Bridge Camp. From the
Beginning to its end, North Mountain Trail travels nine and one half
miles through terrain that varies in elevation from 1,700
to 3,200 feet. It starts on
North Mountain at the intersection of FDR 447 and State Route 770 just
south of the radio tower. The
trail heads southwest along North Mountain and offers occasional views
to the east and west. Brushy
Mountain and Mill Mountain areas visible to the west while
Collierstown and Lake Robinson are visible to the east. |
At mile 3, narrow rock stairs descend between huge boulders.
There is a wide view of the surrounding landscape from atop the
boulders. This trail offers
an opportunity for some great pictures of the surrounding landscape.
The views from the top of North Mountain are spectacular especially
on clear, cloudless days.
The trail takes a sharp right turn to head down off the mountain and
into Longdale Recreation Area.
It drops down off the ridge and follows a drain for a short distance until
it intersects with the end of an old skid road.
Then it turns south to go around the nose of a ridge and drops down
into Bob Downy Branch. Soon
after reaching Bob Downy Branch the trail crosses FDR 271. (Tri County
Road). The trail follows Bob
Downy Branch to the intersection with Yaccr’s Run Trail.
Yaccr’s Run Trail and North Mountain Trail share the rest of the
hike into Longdale Recreation Area.
The entire hike should take four to six hours and can be hiked in either
direction.
The trailhead at FDR 447 and State Route 770 is difficult to access in
the winter months because of snow and ice accumulations on the road
surfaces.
Directions:
The trail can be accessed in
three ways. One access is to exit
I-64 at the Goshen exit and proceed south on FDR 447 to the trailhead.
Another access is available
from Longdale Furnace by taking the Longdale Furnace exit off I-64 and
turning onto west U.S. 60. Then
turn left onto the State Route 770.
Continue up 770 to the trailhead at the intersection of FDR 447 and Route
770.
The third access to North
Mountain Trail is from the Longdale Recreation Area.
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