Bull Run Mountains Conservancy - Haymarket, Virginia


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Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping
6.2 mls N/A
Hiking Time:
Elev. Gain:
Links:
Notes:


Resources:
3.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
850 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
Pets are NOT allowed on the hiking trails
Printable Topo Hike Map
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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 owned by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF), an agency of the Commonwealth. VOF leases 800 acres to the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, Inc. (BRMC), for the purpose of environmental and historical education, research, natural resource management, and public access. This hiking area has many interconnecting trails leading to old mills, homesteads, and family grave sites. Please review the usage guidelines before visiting the preserve.

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 also 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.

Turn right 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.

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Hiker Reviews For The Bull Run Conservancy Hike (5 Most Recent)
Review the Bull Run Conservancy hike here!   Average Review Rating:

By: Nebraska Dan Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, April 05, 2009
I took my folks on this hike in hopes of showing them the expansive views from Elvis Rock. I've hiked this trail multiple times last fall, but found an unwelcome development since my last trek. About a half-mile from Elvis Rock, a large wooden barricade has been installed across the trail, warning all that they are trespassing if they continue on the trail to the wonderful overlook. At the sight of such dire warnings, my folks (being good Midwesterners) did not want to intrude, so we turned around and enjoyed the trails along the streams. However, I noticed a distinct lack of people on this trail, despite the gorgeous weather today. I can't help but think that the unfriendly signs posted have had a noticeable impact upon the number of visitors at the Conservancy.

By: Molly Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, April 04, 2009

These woods are beautiful, and the hike is pretty easy with slow elevation gains.  If you plan on doing the route prescribed here, you should take the written directions with you.  The map alone is difficult to follow as some of the trails are not terribly well marked at intersections.

There were no crowds, and even though the parking area was full, I saw few other hikers.

As a sidenote, I saw a small snake while I was out--actually, I almost STEPPED on it!


By: Matt Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, April 04, 2009

Decided to do an early morning hike to catch the sunrise. This trail was only about 20 minutes from where I live so I hit the trail around 6:30 AM.

I have never hiked here before, so when I got to the top, I found it difficult to locate the overlook as described. I looked around for about 20 minutes for the described red markers and didnt see anything and decided to just continue on the hike.

I liked the scenery, and the historic buildings. I walked up to take a closer look at the house that was near the trail towards the end. Poked my head in the door to just look inside and heard a noise. Looked to my left and I think there were at least 2 turkey vultures, or a bird like it hanging out in there. Not sure if they have claimed that as their home or what but I figured I had seen enough of the house at that point :D

On the last leg of the hike there appeared to be a detour marked with orange flagging...I hadnt read anything about this on here so I stuck with the mapped route and continued straight instead of branching off to the left. Lots of standing water going this way on saturday morning.

I was hiking by myself so was able to finish the hike in just under 3 hours. Aside from the steep descent off the ridge, the trail is pretty easy. I will likely go back again since it is nearby.


By: Rating: Date of Hike: Friday, January 09, 2009
This hike was great! It was a sunny but cold morning and was very quiet on the trails. I took the downloaded hike step by step until I was back down and did not go back on the Dawson's Trail (orange on map) because of time. The views were great from the time I reached the ridge until the time I got back down to the stream.
It only took about 3.5 hours because of the omission of the one trail but I even had time for several breaks to enjoy the views and a quick lunch.
I look forward to going back and extending my time there in the future. Thanks to this site for such great information.


By: Bill Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, December 20, 2008

Hiked this on a pretty cold, overcast day, so there was not a lot of traffic.  Just saw 5 people over the three hours I was there.  The hike up the ridge to the overlook was nice and the view at the top was great.  My only question/caution is close to the top there are signs saying that you are leaving the conservency and going onto private land not open to the public.  I went anyway but I'm not sure if you are supposed to or not.

The hike down into the valley was very secluded and hiking along the stream at the bottom was nice.  The stream crossings can be tricky.  I had a walking stick and was very glad I did to help balance on the rocks. 

Directions were pretty good except for at the end.  Per the directions I turned left at the white trail and crossed over the stream.  It then says to continue straight and ascend to meet the green path.  After I crossed the stream, I followed the white trail for a few yards and then it ended.  I spent a good 5 minutes wandering around and could never locate it.  So I backtracked and just followed the white trail in the other direction back to the parking lot.

Overall a good experience for a hike close to home.


    View all 26 reviews for the Bull Run Conservancy hike
Mid September
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Early December
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