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Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve - Haymarket, Virginia


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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)
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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 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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Calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the Bull Run Mountains NA Preserve hike:

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

By: Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, April 07, 2013
This was a fun hike. We started at 9:30am and there was not many people there but when leaving around noon it was very crowded. Dogs are allowed on these hikes and there are lots of them. At the top of the mountain there is now a sign telling you that you have left BRMC property and I was unable to find the red diamonds on the trees. I believe the diamonds were removed as there are now fences to show the way to the common overlooks. Also the trails across the creek and by the small trash dump are not marked on the printable trailmap so I skipped them but would like to try to find them again later.

By: mtnjohn Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, March 09, 2013
this was once a really spectacular place. I used to hike and mountain bike these trails often when i was a young man.       it saddened me a bit that the trails are now very overused and the place just dosent have the same quiet beauty that it once did. still a nice little hike tho

the views from the top are as incredible as ever


By: John D. Rating: Date of Hike: Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Trails are well worn but the markings are almost non-existent. Trail intersections are confusing. If you decide to explore different trails make sure you have a map.

By: Patrick Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, January 19, 2013
This was a nice little hike. It is pretty crowded, but friendly. There were a lot of dogs on the trail. This has some great views at the top! Surprisingly, it got really warm from the time we started hiking to when we were done. I noticed a lot of people (counter-clockwise) struggling on the trail while we were on our way back (clockwise).

By: K R Rating: Date of Hike: Friday, November 23, 2012
This was a great hike.  The views at the top are very pretty, and it's only about 40 minutes from DC.

NOTE: the colors of the blazes on the trail do not match the ones in the description above.  To navigate we used the topographical map and the description above and this was fine, even though the colors were off.


    View all 53 reviews for the Bull Run Mountains NA Preserve hike
Mid September
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Early December
Mid December

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