Balcony Falls Trail - Hiking trail near Glasgow, Virginia, United States - Description

From the trailhead, follow the "Balcony Falls Trail" signs. Shortly after meeting with a dirt road, take a right onto a blue blazed trail. At the time of this writing there was no sign indicating this turn. If you arrive at a locked gate into a cow pasture you have missed the turn.

The trail crosses the corner of Locher Tract and then follows an old woods road about 1.2 miles. It then climbs, with switchbacks through frequent timber type changes from pine to mixed hardwoods. At 2.3 miles, enter James River Face Wilderness. Scenic views from the top of the ridge include the town of Glasgow and the James River Gorge. The trail ends where it joins an old fire road, which is now the Sulphur spring trail.

WARNING: The US Forest Service description is misleading. This trail offers some views of the town of Glasgow through fallen trees. There are no views of the James River Gorge. There is no waterfall on the trail. It is named after Balcony Falls that are on the James River nearby. The trail is poorly marked and maintained as of September 2009.

From Va. Route 130 at Natural Bridge Station, turn south on Va. Route 759. Go 0.9 mile and turn east on Va. Route 782. Where the paved road makes a sharp right turn, just past Jellystone Campground, keep straight ahead onto the gravel road. Go about 0.7 mile on Va. Route 782 and FS Road 3039 to the parking area (trailhead) at the Locher Tract at the end of the road.