New River Trail State Park: Austinville Trailhead (Blog Hike #1072)

Trail: New River Trail
Hike Location: New River Trail State Park, Austinville Trailhead
Geographic Location: southeast of Wytheville, VA (36.85116, -80.91966)
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: September 2025
Overview: A double out-and-back on a rail-trail featuring interesting railroad constructions.
Park Information: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/new-river-trail
Hike Route Map: 

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 17, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: East of Wytheville, take I-77/81 to US 52 (exit 80).  Exit and go east on US 52.  Drive US 52 east 5.2 miles to Austinville Road and turn right on Austinville Rd.  Drive Austinville Rd. southwest 2.6 miles to SR 636, and turn left on SR 636.  Cross the New River, and drive another 0.2 miles to the signed Austinville Trailhead parking lot on the right.  Pay the park entrance fee and park in the large gravel lot.

The hike: For my general comments on the New River Trail, see my hike from 2019 that started at the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower a few miles downstream from this trailhead.  While rail-trails do not make for the most interesting hiking, the Austinville Trailhead is an above average place to start a hike on the New River Trail because interesting destinations can be reached in either direction.  This double out-and-back goes to both of those destinations while passing some other interesting sites, thus making a hike on a rail-trail as interesting as possible.

Stile at Austinville Trailhead

            Start by walking across SR 636 and through the yellow metal stile, heading east on the New River Trail.  The New River's floodplain lies to the left and the hillside rises to the right when you walk in this direction.  The trail surface is fine black gravel, and the trail's former life as a railroad grade ensures that all elevation changes are imperceptible and all curves are gradual.

Old lead mine?

            If you look to the right at 0.35 miles, you will see a hole in the cliff that looks like an old mine shaft.  While I could not find any information about this specific mine, many lead mines operated near Austinville in the early 1800's; they provided material for making shot at the nearby Jackson Ferry Shot Tower.  A metal grate prevents access today, and for good reason: entering old mines is a dangerous proposition.

Austinville Tunnel

            At 0.5 miles, you reach the main point of interest in this direction: the old Austinville railroad tunnel.  Though only a couple hundred feet long, on a hot day the tunnel will be several degrees cooler than the outside air temperature.  On any day the chiseled rock walls make for stark scenery, and a bench near the tunnel entrance makes a nice place to sit, rest, and rehydrate.

Austinville Trailhead

            The trail continues east for 28 more miles to Pulaski, but this hike turns around here and starts heading west toward the point of interest in that direction.  Re-cross SR 636 and pass the official Austinville Trailhead, which is marked by a signed shelter, picnic tables, trash cans, and a port-o-let.  The forest consists of many black walnut, oak, and sweet gum trees with some sycamore and a few red cedars.  I saw 3 deer when I hiked this trail a couple of hours before sunset on a cool but humid evening in early September.

Old industrial area

            Soon you pass a large white concrete post marked P29.  These mile markers appear throughout the New River Trail, and the P indicates that the distance given is from Pulaski, the trail's eastern terminus.  At 1.2 miles, you pass an old concrete industrial area on the right.  Although I am not sure what this area was, railroad tracks atop the concrete link it to this trail's railroad days.  Maybe the concrete platform was a resupply or loading point.  The trail curves right to get closer to the river, and a low-level waterfall can be seen downhill in the river if the trees are bare enough.

Trestle over New River

View downstream

View upstream

            After the trail curves left, you reach the trestle over the New River at 2.4 miles.  The trestle is nearly 80 feet high, and it gives great views both up and down the river.  The view upstream with Poplar Camp Mountain in the background is my favorite view on this hike.  The trail continues west, but the trestle is a good place to turn around.  Retrace your steps 1.6 miles to the Austinville Trailhead to complete the hike.

Manassas National Battlefield Park: First Manassas Trail (Blog Hike #1038)

Trail: First Manassas Trail
Hike Location: Manassas National Battlefield Park
Geographic Location: north side of Manassas, VA (38.81313, -77.52158)
Length: 5.2 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: November 2024
Overview: A loop hike passing major landmarks from the First Battle of Manassas.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=975043
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: In northern Virginia, take I-66 to SR 234 (exit 47).  Exit and go north on SR 234.  Drive SR 234 north 0.7 miles to the Henry Hill Visitor Center on the right.  Park in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center.

The hike: The Confederacy called the battles Bull Run after a nearby creek; the Union called them Manassas after a nearby town.  Whichever name you use, the battlefield was located just 30 miles west of Washington DC, and twice during the American Civil War it became the focus of the entire country's attention.  The first time came on July 21, 1861 when the first of many major Civil War battles in Virginia was fought here.  The Union army was trying to drive south to strike the Confederate capital in Richmond and put a quick end to the new war.  While the events of that day will be detailed later in this post, the fact that the war lasted nearly 5 years tells you how that battle went for the Union.

            The second time came just over a year later on August 28-30, 1862.  Union Major General John Pope thought he had Confederate troops commanded by Major General Stonewall Jackson trapped between Union forces to the east and west.  After Jackson's men successfully repelled several assaults, Confederate reinforcements commanded by Major General James Longstreet arrived.  Seemingly unaware of Longstreet's presence, Pope's forces continued attacking Jackson's position, at which time Longstreet counterattacked and devastated the Union army.  The Union rearguard prevented a Confederate assault on Washington, but the victory at Manassas led Confederate General Robert E. Lee to embark on his Maryland campaign, which would end in defeat a month later at Antietam.

            Both of the battles described above occurred on the same battlefield, and that battlefield is now protected as Manassas National Battlefield Park, which was established in 1936.  The park occupies 5073 acres of rolling terrain, but history takes center stage here: the park offers only a Visitor Center with interpretive materials, some picnic areas, and many miles of trails.  The park's trail system is built around 2 main loop trails: the First Manassas and Second Manassas Trails, which pass important locations from their respective battles.  Both loops start near the Visitor Center, so you can easily hike one or both loops as you wish.  This hike describes the First Manassas Trail, which is the shorter of the 2 loops.

Trailhead at Visitor Center

            From the Henry Hill Visitor Center parking lot, head northeast on the First Manassas Trail as it heads across a mowed grass field with some monuments and cannons.  The Visitor Center is named after the hill on which you are walking, and this hill's significance in the First Battle of Manassas will be described later in the hike.  The First Manassas Trail is marked with blue paint blazes, so the route-finding on this hike is simple: just follow the blue blazes.  That said, there are numerous other trails in this part of the park, so you do need to watch for the blue blazes to stay on the right trail.

Crossing Henry Hill

            Henry Hill is the highest point on this hike, so the trail begins a long gradual descent as it leaves the open field and enters the woods.  The largest trees in this forest are oak trees, but some red cedars also live here.  A dense layer of honeysuckle populates the understory.  At 0.7 miles, you intersect a horse trail that appears to be an old dirt road.  As directed by the blue blazes, turn left to begin heading north on the old road.

Intersecting and old road

            Just shy of 1 mile, you cross Young's Branch on a wooden footbridge.  A gradual climb brings you to a crossing of US 29 at 1.2 miles.  The high volume of traffic moves fast here, and the crossing is unmarked from the drivers' perspective.  Thus, you need to be very careful crossing this highway.

Crossing Young's Branch

            A brief moderate climb brings you to a trail intersection at 1.4 miles where the Stone Bridge Loop Trail exits left.  An interpretive sign tells you that the Van Pelt farmstead once stood here.  The farmstead was a key structure during both battles due to its strategically important location on the bluffs overlooking Bull Run.  The farmhouse burned down in the early 1930's.  Turn right at this intersection to stay with the blue blazes and start the steep descent to Bull Run.

View from former Van Pelt farmstead

            After descending some wooden stairs, you cross a boardwalk and reach the Stone Bridge just shy of 2 miles.  Some of the earliest action in the First Battle of Manassas took place here as Union troops coming from the east needed to cross Bull Run to assault Confederate positions on the bluffs to the west.  This Union effort was successful, and Confederates were pushed back onto the high hills to the west of the bluffs.  Although this bridge looks like the original bridge, it only dates to 1884: the original Stone Bridge was destroyed by retreating Confederates in March 1862.

Stone Bridge

            Next the trail curves left and begins heading upstream with Bull Run to your right.  I saw a heron in the stream, and the floodplain hiking past large sycamore trees is flat and pleasant.  At 2.3 miles, the trail climbs steeply to leave the floodplain.  A bench near the top of this hill gives a nice blufftop view of Bull Run, and it makes a nice place to sit and rest near the midpoint of this hike.

Heron in Bull Run

            The next 0.8 miles head west on a rolling course through a mixture of fields and woods.  At 3.2 miles, you reach the former site of the Pittsylvania mansion.  Built in 1765 by Landon Carter Jr., the large Pittsylvania estate was in severe financial trouble by the start of the Civil War.  The mansion served as a field hospital during both battles.  Although the mansion survived both battles, it burned in the fall of 1862, and today only the foundation stones remain.

Trail near Pittsylvania site

            Past Pittsylvania, the rolling westward course continues, and near 4 miles into the hike you reach the summit of Matthews Hill, which at 1 foot below Henry Hill is the second highest point on this hike.  A row of cannons stands atop Matthews Hill, and interpretive signs tell you that Union infantry thought they had the First Battle of Manassas won when they forced the Confederates from this hill.  Yet looking to the south gives a clear view of Henry Hill where you started, and atop Henry Hill was stationed a Confederate leader named Thomas Jackson.  Jackson reorganized and rallied the Confederates to an unlikely victory, and he earned the nickname "Stonewall" for his leadership on that day.

Looking south to Henry Hill from Matthews Hill

            From the trail intersection atop Matthews Hill, turn left to begin the final leg of the First Manassas Trail.  The trail descends moderately to enter Young's Branch ravine, which at this point separates Matthews and Henry Hills.  At the bottom of the ravine, you pass the Stone House, which is possibly this park's most recognizable landmark.  Built before 1850, this house stood in the line of fire during both battles, and it was used as an oasis for injured soldiers from both sides.

The Stone House

Reconstructed Spring Hill Farm

            Use the crosswalk and pedestrian signal to cross US 29 and begin the final somewhat steep climb toward Henry Hill.  As you approach the Visitor Center, you pass through the reconstructed Spring Hill Farm.  The original farm was heavily damaged by Union artillery and later destroyed.  Pass the Henry Family Cemetery and return to the Visitor Center to complete the hike.

Wilderness Road State Park (Blog Hike #1011)

Trails: Indian Ridge, Wilderness, and Pioneer Trails
Hike Location: Wilderness Road State Park
Geographic Location: west of Ewing, VA (36.63364, -83.52508)
Length: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: March 2024
Overview: A round-the-park loop passing several historical sites.
Park Information: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/wilderness-road
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=959127
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: From the intersection of US 25E and US 58 on the south side of Cumberland Gap, take US 58 east 8.5 miles to the state park entrance on the left.  Turn left to enter the park, pay the entrance fee, and drive the main park road to the large picnic area parking lot at its end.  Park anywhere in this lot.

The hike: Located in extreme western Virginia less than 10 miles east of Cumberland Gap, cozy Wilderness Road State Park protects 327 acres along Daniel Boone's famous Wilderness Road.  The road was built in 1775, but 6 years earlier a man named Joseph Martin settled in this area and founded a town named Martin's Station.  The town was abandoned after only 6 months due to attacks from natives, but Martin returned in 1775 and built the only station on the Wilderness Road between the road's start in Virginia and Crab Orchard, Kentucky, a stretch of nearly 200 miles.  Martin's Station was later relocated from its original site, and the reconstructed settlement can be toured by park visitors today.

            After the area was fully settled, this land was farmed.  One farmstead on this site was the Karlan Mansion, which was built in 1878.  The park was established in 1993, and today the Karlan Mansion is one of the park's rentable structures.

            True to the park's name, the historical features take center stage at Wilderness Road State Park.  The park has limited amenities that include a playground, a primitive campground, and fishing on Indian Creek.  For hikers, the park features 4 trails including 6.4 miles of the Wilderness Trail, a multiuse trail that follows the historic Wilderness Road.  The hike described here is a true loop that uses part of the Wilderness Trail but also uses 2 of the park's shorter trails and passes some of the park's historic sites, thus offering a grand tour of the entire park.

Crossing Baileytown Road at trailhead

            From the picnic area parking lot, head east to cross paved and moderately trafficked Baileytown Road on a marked crosswalk.  A large sign at the top of some constructed stairs tells you that this is the Indian Ridge Trail, and it is marked with orange paint blazes.  The trail climbs gradually through young forest dominated by red cedar trees, but some redbuds were just starting to bloom when I hiked here in late March.

Climbing on Indian Ridge Trail

            At 0.25 miles, the Indian Ridge Trail forks to form its loop as a farm field comes into view across the park boundary to the left.  Continue straight to begin a clockwise journey around the Indian Ridge Trail's loop.  The gradual climb continues, and at 0.4 miles you reach this hike's highest point, which is only about 100 feet of elevation higher than the trailhead.  A pair of benches here provides rest for the weary.

Low rock outcrops

            The trail curves right to begin a winding downhill course through an area with many exposed rock outcrops.  0.6 miles into the hike, you reach an overgrown "overlook," which is really just a flat area with a fence and a few benches.  The rock outcrops uphill from the "overlook" are interesting to look at, but dense trees obstruct any view.

"Overlook"

            Just past the "overlook," you reach a trail intersection.  The Indian Ridge Trail turns right, and you could go that way if you wanted a short 0.8 mile hike on just the Indian Ridge Trail.  This hike angles left to start following yellow blazes.  A short moderate descent brings you to the Wilderness Trail.  Turn right to begin heading west on the Wilderness Trail, which is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian users.

Wilderness Trail

            As its name indicates, the Wilderness Trail follows the route of Daniel Boone's Wilderness Road, but this trail has absolutely no wilderness feel: it appears to be an old railroad grade.  Going this direction, you are going the same direction settlers would have traveled over 200 years ago to reach Kentucky.  Just past 1 mile, you cross the park road you drove in on.  Some daffodils in bloom greeted me here, and the forsythia looked like it was getting ready to bloom.

Buffalo pen

            At 1.3 miles, you reach the overlook for the park's buffalo pen.  The buffalo were clustered on the other side of the pen when I came here, and I got a better view of the buffalo on my drive out.  Just past the buffalo pen, you reach another trail intersection.  The wide and straight Wilderness Trail continues straight and exits the park, but you want to turn right to begin the blue-blazed Pioneer Trail, the final leg of this hike.

Re-created native camp

            The single-track dirt Pioneer Trail follows a winding course that alternates between young dense woods and open grassy fields.  The fields give great views northeast toward the mountains of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.  At 1.45 miles, you pass a re-created native camp before climbing up and over a low wooded ridge.

Martin's Station

            1.8 miles into the hike, the rear of historic and relocated Martin's Station can be seen across the field to the right.  The station is hard to access from this trail, but you can tour it by making a quick side trip on your drive out after the hike.  At the next trail intersection, where the Pioneer Trail turns right, continue straight on an unmarked trail.  Crossing a creek on a wooden bridge returns you to the picnic area to complete the hike.  On your drive out, Martin's Station and the park's buffalo pen are worth quick stops to get the most out of your visit to Wilderness Road State Park.

Seven Bends State Park: Eagles Edge/Gokotta Loop (Blog Hike #968)

Trails: Eagles Edge and Gokotta Trails
Hike Location: Seven Bends State Park
Geographic Location: east of Woodstock, VA (38.87118, -78.49341)
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: September 2023
Overview: A loop hike featuring the Shenandoah River and old Camp Lupton.
Park Information: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/seven-bends
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=947386
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: In northern Virginia, take I-81 to SR 42 (exit 283).  Exit and go east on SR 42.  Where SR 42 ends at US 11, continue east 2 more blocks to Water Street and turn left on Water St.  Drive Water St. north 6 blocks to Hollingsworth Road and turn right on Hollingsworth Rd.  Drive Hollingsworth Rd. east 0.5 miles to Lupton Road and turn right on Lupton Rd.  Drive narrow and winding Lupton Rd. downhill and across a low water bridge over the Shenandoah River to the large gravel parking lot on the right.  Park here.  If water covers the bridge, do not attempt to access this trailhead; save this hike for another day.

The hike: Opening only in 2019, Seven Bends State Park is one of the newest state parks in Virginia.  The park gets its name from the Seven Bends region of the North Fork Shenandoah River, which winds its way in serpentine fashion through northern Virginia and into the Potomac River.  The river forms the park's west boundary, and Powell Mountain in George Washington National Forest borders the park to the east.  Thus, this park has a secluded feel even though it sits just outside of Woodstock, a small city.

            Seven Bends State Park offers no lodging, and fishing and paddling are the most popular day-use activities here.  For hikers, the park offers 8 miles of trails that explore the park's riverside and blufftop areas.  I came here on a morning when I had a long drive that afternoon, so I needed to keep my hike short and easy.  The route described here fits that bill, but it does so by exploring the park's riverside areas, blufftop areas, and possibly this park's most interesting historical area.

Start of Eagles Edge Trail

            From the parking lot, head west on a two-track gravel road with the park's picnic area on the right and an active soybean field on the left.  The Eagles Edge Trail is marked with blue signs bearing the trail's name and a blue square.  An interpretive sign near the trailhead tells about the history of this land during colonial times, which includes such famous figures as King Charles II of England and Lord Fairfax.

Hiking beside the soybean field

            At the west end of the soybean field, you reach the bank of the North Fork Shenandoah River for the first time.  A swinging bridge crosses the river and leads to private property, so you want to turn left to stay on the Eagles Edge Trail.  Now with a dirt treadway, the wide trail traces the west side of the soybean field.  The river is only a few feet to the right, but dense brush precludes any river views.

Asphalt slab from old Camp Lupton

            At 0.4 miles, you reach the southeast corner of the soybean field and an odd asphalt slab.  An interpretive sign tells you this slab is a remnant of the former Camp Lupton, a summer camp for boys that operated here in the late 1930's.  To see more of the former camp, keep following the Eagles Edge Trail as it climbs moderately to reach a collection of old chimneys and foundations from former camp buildings.  A pioneer cemetery also sits atop this bluff; it predates the camp and has headstones dating to the early 1800's.  Take a few minutes up here to read the numerous interpretive signs and appreciate the history of this land.

Former Camp Lupton

Pioneer cemetery

            The trail exits the historic area by heading downhill to the northeast.  At 0.6 miles, you reach the end of the Eagles Edge Trail where it intersects gated gravel Lupton Road.  You could turn left here to hike a loop that is less than 1 mile in length, but this hike turns right to start following the gravel road and head deeper into the park.

            The road heads east through the center of a peninsula between Shenandoah River bends.  A sunny grassy field lines the road, and fantastic views of Powell Mountain to the east can be had while walking the gravel road.  Also, some birdhouses built near the road enhance the bird watching, and I saw some woodpeckers, finches, and Canada geese while I hiked this trail.

Hiking on Lupton Road

            Ignore the River Bend Rise Trail that exits right; it heads over a steep arm of Powell Mountain to reach this park's other developed area.  At 1.2 miles, you reach the start of the Gokotta Trail, which goes left.  Turn left to begin the Gokotta Trail and begin your journey back to the trailhead.

Hiking the Gokotta Trail

            The Gokotta Trail stays near the North Fork Shenandoah River for most of its distance, and soon you reach the best view of the river.  If the water is clear enough, you can see folds in the bedrock at the river's bottom, evidence of the tectonic action that formed Powell Mountain to the east.  A bench encourages you to sit, rest, and enjoy the scenery.

North Fork Shenandoah River

            Continuing northwest, the trail stays near the boundary between grassy field on the left and riverside woodlands on the right.  Black walnut and sycamore trees are the most numerous trees in this riparian forest.  After passing the park headquarters, you come out at the park entrance road across from the main parking lot, thus closing the loop.  Cross the road to return to your car and complete the hike.

James River State Park: River/Cabell Loop (Blog Hike #921)

Trails: River and Cabell Trails
Hike Location: James River State Park
Geographic Location: north of Appomattox, VA (37.63436, -78.81154)
Length: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: November 2022
Overview: A lollipop loop along the James River.
Park Information: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/james-river
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=924852
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From the intersection of US 460 and SR 26 in Appomattox, take SR 26 north 13 miles to US 60, where SR 26 ends.  Continue straight across US 60 to begin following SR 605, and drive SR 605 for 7.2 miles to the park entrance on the left.  Turn left to enter the park, pay the entrance fee, and drive the main park road to its end at the park's boat launch on the James River.  Park in the boat launch parking lot.

The hike: Opening only in 1999, James River State Park protects 1561 acres on the south bank of its namesake river.  At this point the James River is about 1/3 of its way into its 348 mile eastward course, and it has just exited the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and begun its winding route across the Piedmont toward Hampton Roads.  The river is deep and broad here, but a few small cascades, remnants of the river's more youthful segment through the mountains to the west, persist.

            James River State Park offers many amenities including a 30-site developed campground, several primitive camping areas, a canoe launch on the James River, 18 cabins, several picnic shelters, and 3 fishing ponds.  For hikers, the park offers 14 trails totaling over 22 miles, and most of these trails are also open to horses and mountain bikes.  I came here late one morning with a long afternoon of driving ahead of me, so I chose the short and easy lollipop loop along the James River described here.  Plenty of longer options are available, and I left wishing I had more time to explore more of this park's trails.

Trailhead at boat launch

            From the boat launch, pick up the wide grassy River Trail as it heads west with the river on your right.  All of the trails on this hike are also open to horses and mountain bikes, and a few wet areas need to be negotiated.  Overall, although I did see a couple of equestrian users on my hike, these trails show no signs of heavy horse use.  A row of trees separates the trail from the river, but a few clear views across the wide and scenic river emerge.

James River

            At 0.5 miles, you reach a riverside picnic area with some swinging benches perched beside the river.  Follow signs for the River Trail as it heads up a dirt road that leads away from the river and then turns right to cross a small creek.  Just past 0.6 miles, you reach the trail intersection that forms the loop portion of this hike.  The Cabell Trail continuing straight will be our return route.  This description turns right to stay on the River Trail and hike the loop counterclockwise.

Hiking the River Trail

            True to its name, the River Trail heads back out to the river and continues its southwestbound course in a narrow riverside corridor of trees.  The James River on the right now features some small cascades, and a seasonal wetland appears to the left.  I saw many birds here including redwing blackbirds, woodpeckers, blue jays, and cardinals.

View of seasonal wetland

            At 1.35 miles, you reach another trail intersection.  If you want to extend your hike, you can turn right and continue the River Trail to a primitive camping area where it links up with the Cabell Trail; this option adds about 1.5 miles to the hike.  Because I had a long drive home that afternoon, I continued straight to hike the short connector trail to the Cabell Trail and turned left on the Cabell Trail.

Hiking the Cabell Trail

            When you start the Cabell Trail, the character of this hike temporarily changes.  Gone are the sunny grassy riverside areas, and they have been replaced by a single track dirt trail that undulates through dense maple and beech forest.  The change of scenery only lasts about 0.25 miles, at which point you reach a sunny bench that overlooks the wetland to your left.  At 1.8 miles, you return to the River Trail to close the loop.  Retrace your steps on the River Trail to return to the boat launch parking area and complete the hike.

Glen Lyn Town Park (Blog Hike #797)

Trails: R.J. Foote and Mary Ingles Trails
Hike Location: Glen Lyn Town Park
Geographic Location: east of Princeton, WV (37.37263, -80.85825)
Length: 1.9 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: June 2020
Overview: An out-and-back with side trip partially on asphalt trail along the New River.
Park Information: https://glenlyn.org/town-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=816996
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Princeton, take US 460 east 13.1 miles to the New River bridge, which marks your entrance into Virginia.  Immediately after crossing the New River bridge, turn right to enter Glen Lyn Town Park.  Park in the small parking lot beside the red caboose and picnic shelter.

The hike: The date was July 1755 when the Shawnee attacked a white settlement near present-day Blacksburg, VA, killing some of its members and transporting others hundreds of miles northwest as prisoners.  One of their captives was a 23 year old daughter of Irish immigrants named Mary Draper Ingles.  Against all odds, Ingles managed to escape her captors and walk alone for hundreds of miles up the Ohio, Kanawha, and New Rivers back to her home valley.  She would later move to Radford, VA where she would live to the ripe old age of 83.

            Today the journey of young Mrs. Ingles is commemorated as the Mary Draper Ingles Trail, a collection of sites and experiences in southwest Virginia.  One site on the Mary Draper Ingles Trail is an actual hiking trail that starts at Glen Lyn Town Park and follows the New River downstream along the Virginia/West Virginia border.  The park also offers a 1.73 mile asphalt bike trail called the R. J. Foote Trail, and combining the Mary Ingles Trail with part of the bike trail forms the hike described here.  While this hike is not one of the more scenic hikes in this region, it offers an easy one hour leg stretch to break up the drive along US 460.

Information kiosk at trailhead

Red caboose at trailhead

            The asphalt bike path crosses the campground entrance road just past the parking lot; a port-o-let, red caboose, picnic shelter, and information kiosk also stand here.  The bike path heads west with the river and campground on your left.  After walking under US 460's New River bridge, you reach the signed start of the Mary Ingles Trail.  Turn left to leave the asphalt and begin the single-track dirt trail.

Start of Mary Ingles Trail

            Marked with orange/yellow rectangular paint blazes, the Mary Ingles Trail starts by tracing around a nice meadow that offers New River views to the left.  The river was high and muddy when I came here in mid-June, and some nice lavender flowers added color to the meadow.  Past the meadow, the trail crosses a stream on stepping stones and climbs steeply but only for a short distance to leave the New River floodplain.  At the top of the hill, a wood and wire fence adorned with a sign that says "Private Property, No Trespassing" blocks the trail.  The orange/yellow blazes clearly continue past the fence, and while I could tell some trail users had scaled the fence and continued downstream, I turned around and headed back to the asphalt bike path.

Hiking through a small meadow

            Upon reaching the bike path, turn left to continue heading toward the Glen Lyn town center.  The asphalt climbs gradually paralleling first US 460 and then Houston Lane.  If you look over your right shoulder near the intersection of US 460 and Houston Lane, views of Glen Lyn and a power plant appear across the New River.  The asphalt bike path becomes a concrete sidewalk when it begins following Houston Lane.

Glen Lyn Municipal Building

View across New River

            The sidewalk ends at the Glen Lyn Municipal Building, a white building with four columns that looks like a large house.  Turn around here and retrace your steps back to the Glen Lyn Town Park to complete the hike.  The rain began falling on me as I walked back into the park, but the R. J. Foote Trail also forms an asphalt loop that goes through an open mowed-grass area east of the parking lot.  Adding this loop increases the distance but not the scenery or difficulty of this hike.