| Length |
Difficulty |
Streams |
Views |
Solitude |
Camping |
| 7.2
mls |
 |
 |
 |
|
N/A |
Hiking
Time:
Elev. Gain:
Links:
Notes:
Resources: |
4 hours plus 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! |
 The Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve (BRMNAP) is owned by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF), an agency of the Commonwealth. VOF has an agreement with 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. 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. |
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