Rock Castle Gorge Trail
Trail Reports:
Trail report submitted on: 06/20/2011
Trail rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I would rate this loop as one of the best hikes central Virginia has to offer. I consider it a six hour day hike, with a half hour break included. On my most recent hike last week, trail maintenance was performed on the entire loop! All of the down trees blocking the trial had been removed. Great job to all who participated in this effort! On the down side of this effort, the maintenance crew used a weed eater on the entire trail cutting a swath three feet wide on each side removing any and all of the natural vegetation this loop is famous for. I don’t understand how this destruction was allowed to go on for ten miles and it certainly does not comply with leave no trace policies that are common in the hiking world. I’m hopeful that this oversight will not occur again in the future.
Trail report submitted on: 10/19/2010
Trail rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
This is a great year-round trail for a day hike. There are trail heads high (Off parkway) and low (at the end of CC Camp Road). With two cars, it can easily be cut into an ascent only - the best option is to start low and hike up to the parkway in a clockwise direction thereby skipping the steep descent.
Trail report submitted on: 05/18/2010
Trail rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Bring lots of water for this one. The easiest way to do this is to start from the left of the Saddle parking lot because if you go the other way, you face a brutal uphill climb through the woods and up the pastures. Traveling next to the Rock Castle Creek is a nice treat, and there are some nice views to be had.