The House Mountain hike near Lexington Virginia is made up of two mountains. Big House Mountain with great views to the south, and Little House Mountain with its punishing direct climb to the ridge, and spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley.

If you decide to do this hike anytime soon, you may also get your own mountain guide as we did! Starting up the trail, ‘Rose’ a local dog from one of the private homes near the trailhead, decided she wanted a day in the woods and led, not followed, us to not only the top of Big House Mountain, but also to the outlook on Little House Mountain. Apparently she knows when people park at the lower lot they will be hiking the mountain and heading back the same way. The only fee she charges is some water and food. In our case, half our lunch and 1 liter of water :)

Little House and Big House Mountains appear to tower out of the plains as they stand by themselves, separate from any other mountain range. The 950 acre House Mountain Preserve was purchased in 1989 through the efforts of the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, the Virginia Outdoor Foundation, and many local residents, including Bill Stubbs a leader in conservation causes in the Rockbridge area for many years. The area is now owned by the Virginia Outdoor Foundation.