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North Mountain Scenic Byway
RICH HOLE WILDERNESS TRAIL
The 5.9 mile trail leads to the top of Brushy Mountain and is steep and rocky in places. Within one mile of the trailhead there is an overlook on the left that offers a great view of North Mountain and the valley below. A little further up the trail there is a view of a deep gully with Brushy Mountain in the background. There are many rock outcroppings and jagged boulders on this route to the top of Brushy Mountain. This is the place for some great pictures, so bring your camera. Wilderness areas are designated by Congress to preserve the natural character of an area. They are areas where the earth and community of life are untrammeled by people; where people are visitors who do not remain. Motorized equipment and mechanical transport are not allowed in wilderness areas, and group size is limited to ten people.
www.virginia.org/Listings/OutdoorsAndSports/ RichHoleWilderness
DIRECTIONS:
Take the Longdale Furnace exit 35 and go east on US Rte 850. After 1.3 miles, turn left onto FDR 108 and continue to the parking area, or continue east on US Rte 850 3.7 more miles to the Rich Hole parking area on the left.
WHITE ROCK TOWER TRAIL
This 6.1 mile trail leads to the top of Mill Mountain and passes through several switch backs. It is steep and rocky in places with an occasional boulder along the way. At the top of the ridge is the old White Rock Tower site. The fire tower is gone now but the concrete foundation is still visible and there is an abandoned building and storage tank on the site. The trail turns southwest and follows the ridge, and eventually winds down to FR 333 in a series of switchbacks and steep stairs. In places rock cliffs are visible just off the trail.
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/ recarea/?recid=78573&actid=50
DIRECTIONS:
From I-64, take the Longdale Furnace exit 35 and travel east on US Rte 850 1.2 miles to FR 108. Turn Left and go 1 mile and turn right. Parking is approximately 0.32 miles ahead.
COCK’S COMB TRAIL
This 0.3 mile out-and-back trail leads to a rock outcropping that offers great views of the surrounding mountains.
www.trailheadfinder.com/trail_editor/show/74
DIRECTIONS:
From I-64, take exit 35 and go west on SR 269 for approximately 2.1 miles. Turn left into Longdale Recreation Area and continue to the last parking area on the right.
NORTH MOUNTAIN TRAIL
NORTH MOUNTAIN OVERLOOK TRAIL
North Mountain Trail from the beginning at Tri-County Rd. travels about 8.6 miles through terrain that varies in elevation from 1,700 to 3,200 feet. The trail winds by streams, around rocky ledges and through dense forests. A panoramic view of Lake Robertson and the Lexington area, appears about 8 miles from the trail head. Elevation 1700-3200 ft
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/ recarea/?recid=78574&actid=50
DIRECTIONS:
Interstate 64 Exit 35 west on Rt. 269 to Tri-County Rd. Trail Head. A second entrance to North Mt. Trail: I-64 Exit 35 west on Rt. 269 to Rt. 770. Parking and trail access at the intersection of Rt. 770 & FDR.
This accessible trail is .11 miles. Reaching an elevation of approximately 3,085 feet, it leads to a stone overlook with a beautiful view of Rockbridge County and Lake Robertson. DIRECTIONS:
From I-64, take the Longdale Furnace exit 35 and travel west on Rte 269 .34 miles to State Route 770. Turn left and go 4.1 miles to the top of the mountain. Turn left and travel .85 miles to the parking lot on the right.
