Length	Difficulty	Streams	Views	Solitude	Camping
7.2 mls					N/A
Hiking Time: Elev. Gain: Links: Notes: Resources:	4 hours with a half hour for lunch 1,080 ft Bull Run Mountains Conservancy All trail color references are per the post markers. The tree trail      blazes are to be ignored in regard to these directions Dogs are NOT allowed on the hiking trails Printable Topo Hike Map (PDF) Haymarket 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 at the main BRMC Welcome Center

The Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC) is located near Haymarket VA. This hiking area has many interconnecting trails leading to old mills, homesteads, and family grave sites. Two of the main attractions include the Beverley Mill, that most people who travel I66 towards Front Royal will recognize, and the Elvis Rock Overlook.

As one of the closest hikes to the Washington Metro area, this is one of our favorites, especially when the days are shorter in the winter months. The conservancy is maintained by public support, so if you find the trails as rewarding as we have, please consider supporting the conservancy by becoming a member.

Start by passing through a pedestrian gate at the end of the parking area and immediately crossing the railroad tracks. Turn left and follow the black marked Fern Hollow Trail for a short distance before coming to the first trail junction marked with a white disk.

Stay left crossing a small wooden footpath before coming to your next trail that enters from the right. This green marked side trail leads to the Chapman Graveyard (sign description) in 100ft. Continuing straight on the trail you will immediately pass the ruins of the Chapman House and Ice Storage Pit. Continue straight for another hundred yards and arrive at Beverley Mill (sign description). Note: The mill is not part of the BRMC area.

Continue straight, past the brown marked Quarry Trail, and descend to the ruins of the second mill in another 400ft. At this point turn right uphill continuing on the black marked Fern Hollow Trail as it ascends for 0.6 miles where it ends at the junction of the blue Ridge Trail.

Turn left as the blue trail ascends, then heads right, following Bull Run Ridge. In 1.0 miles arrive at the intersection of the red Ridge Loop Trail, that descends to the right. Stay straight on the blue marked trail and shortly leaving the BRMC property.

The trail will initially descend the left side of the ridge, then ascend towards the ridge line. As you approach the high point, pass several side paths that lead to obstructed vistas on the left. Pass around a tree that has blocked the trail, and continue uphill for another 100 yards where the trail becomes less obvious. At this point look for a red diamond on a tree marking the path to the Elvis Rock Overlook. There is a second red diamond marking the pass in the trees to the overlook itself.

Backtrack to the last intersection and turn left downhill for 0.8 miles on the red marked Ridge Loop Trail, as it descends to the valley floor and intersection of the blue marked Old Quarry Trail and small creek.

Turn left on the brown blazed trail crossing the creek and in 0.1 miles there is a small trash dump on your right side. Continue straight following the orange trail and creek for another 0.1 miles at which point several blow downs cross the trail and it then appears to disappear. Cross the creek and the trail will now follow the creek on the left hand side for another 0.1 miles before arriving at the old quarry. Cross the creek again and enjoy the great stone benches. To continue retrace you steps back down the creek past the trash dump, to the last intersection.

Now continue straight on the brown marked trail for 0.1 miles where the trail branches, veer left and in a short distance the trail branches again with the purple marked Catlett Trail turning left and the yellow Dawson's Trail continuing straight. Stay straight on the Dawson's Trail and in 0.1 miles arrive at the junction of the white marked Mountain Road Trail.

Turn left on the white trail crossing the creek in 100 yards and ascend a long straight section before passing a side trail that leads to an old homestead on your left. Continue straight and in 100 ft arrive at the intersection of the green marked East End Trail.

Turn right downhill following the green marked trail for 0.6 miles where you will cross the railroad tracks. In another 0.3 miles, and just past a small stand of pine trees emerge on Beverly Mill Road. Turn right following the road for 0.4 miles back to the Mountain House and parking area.

We also saw a lot of wildlife later in the hike, including deer, many squirrels, a racoon and lots of birds. My son videotaped two salamanders, which was really exciting for him. The only thing dissapointing about the hike was that we expected that the mountain laurels would be in bloom. Last year at this time they were. Unfortunately, they weren't this year.

I ran this trail and it was a nice mellow run.  The terrain is great (there are some rocks as you get closer to the summit , but the rocks are smooth so they will not kill your arches if you wear reg. running shoes).  There are a few stream crossings and some standing water, so if you are running this  trail in the winter, I reccomend gore-tex trail runners.  They will keep you feet warm AND dry (VERY important).  The ground was frozen, so after a nice melt down this trail will be very muddy !

Be CAUTIOUS about the trail markers and blazes. The first half of the run, the trail is marked w/ wooden markers at the trail intersections.  There is a little disk that indicates the trail.  However, once you get to where the Red Trail meets the Brown Trail, the Brown Trail has red blazes on the trees. Then the brown trail will intersect the pink and yellow trail, the blazes on the trees are blue.  IGNORE THE BLAZES and stick to the nice wooden trail markers. I got a bit confused and had to slow down a few times to look at my map (print it off and take it w/ you, it rocks!!!)

The Red Trail is really steep on the descent and there are some loose rocks that make footing tricky.  This is a great trail for a nice long run, because you can do  loops and pass by your vehicle each time for supplies.  This is a huge bonus for 18+ mile runs.

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