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 The Manassas Battlefield Park is steeped in history. The site of two major civil war battles the park has two main loops that pass many historic points of interest, including the spot where confederate General Thomas Jackson got his nickname 'Stonewall Jackson'. Within the rolling plains of Virginia the hikes here are appropriate for all ages.
From the visitors center parking area walk over to the statue of General Thomas J. Jackson. This is where Brigadier General Barnard E. Bee, trying to rally his troops, pointed to General Thomas J. Jackson's line where the cannons now stand, and shouted 'There stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!' From this point walk past to the cannons and line of trees where the main section of the blue blazed First Manassas Trail loop starts.
The Manassas Battlefield Park has many side trails, so remember, when you get to an intersection just follow the blue blazed (blue disks on posts) trail. Once entering the tree stand you will pass a clearing on the left in 0.2 miles, cross a wooden footbridge, and arrive at the first intersection in 0.5 miles.
Turn left following the blue marked trail and cross a small stream in 0.3 miles. Walk through the first of several fields before you cross US29 in another 0.3 miles. Shortly after crossing US29 the yellow blazed trail turns left, remain straight for another 0.1 miles to the top on the rise and the site of the Van Pelt House.
The blue blazed trail will now makes a hairpin turn to the right towards the Stone Bridge. After descending slightly, veering back to the left, then turning to the right again the trail passes through a low lying area and crosses a 0.2 mile wooded foot walk before arriving at the Stone Bridge and Bull Run.
Do not cross the Stone Bridge, but turn left along Bull Run for 0.3 miles before the trail turns left uphill and exiting into another field. Continue to follow the trail as it passes through the field then enters a tree stand again and passing the Carter family cemetery in 0.2 miles. From the cemetery junction continue on the blue trail as it exits into another field in another 0.5 miles. Continue straight to the top of Mathews Hill and line of cannons.
Turn left downhill past the canons through two fields before descending to the intersection of US29, Sudley Road and location of the Stone House which served as a field hospital in both battles fought here.
Cross US29 at the intersection following the trail over a wooden footbridge and uphill past the Henry House before arriving back at the National Park Service visitors center. |
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