Length	Difficulty	Streams	Views	Solitude	Camping
6.5 mls
Hiking Time: Elev. Gain: Resources:	2.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch 2,005 ft Printable Topo Hike Map (PDF) Bluemont Weather Forecast Graphic Precip/Temp Forecast Current Weather Radar Loop (Java) Garmin (GDB), GPS eXchange (GPX) (What's this?) 3D View of Route!
From:	e.g. 12000 Government Center Parkway 22035 or Fairfax VA Park on Morgans Mill Rd where the Appalachian Trail crosses.

One of several out/back day hikes along this section of the Appalachian Trail. This 6.5 mile hike passes through several small hollows, unique different rock formations, as well as two mountain streams. The first stream, Ashby Hollow, has a wooden footbridge as well as several nice camp sites.

This part of the Appalachian Trail (AT) is affectionately known as the "Roller Coaster" as you can tell from the hike profile. The AT descends and climbs through several hollows and small ridges as it passes between Route 50 and Rt 7. One other nice aspect of this up/down/out/back hike is you can always turn around at any point if you want to cut the hike short.

From the parking area on Morgans Mill Rd. start downhill/south on the AT as it winds down to the largest stream in Ashby Hollow and nice camping area in 0.4 miles. At the stream there is a large wooden footbridge. Immediately after crossing the footbridge turn right and cross a fire road where the AT begins to climb Piney Ridge.

At the top of the Piney Ridge the trail descends through a hollow than climbs and descends to the second stream. After crossing the stream the AT will turn left following an old fire road for 100 yards before turning back to the right climbing to the next ridge.

At the ridgeline there are several views to the west of the Winchester valley through the trees. The views are best during the colder months when there are no leaves on the trees. From late spring through fall most of these vistas are obscured by foliage.

Follow this ridgeline for another 0.3 miles to a point on the AT where it passes through a small rocky area, and views to the west.

This is the turnaround point we have mapped here to make a 6.5 mile out/back hike. Continuing from here the AT will pass through another hollow and shelter before the trail arrives at Rt 50 just north of Sky Meadows.