Saint Mary's Wilderness - Saint Mary's River Waterfall - Hiking trail near Raphine, Virginia, United States - Description

Saint Mary's, the largest Virginia Wilderness on national forest land, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. It has elevations ranging from 1,700 feet to 3,400 feet and includes the drainages of Cellar Hollow, Spy Run, and the upper part of the Saint Mary's River. Along the Saint Mary's you can fish for native trout, walk through rhododendron and mountain laurel, and discover a lovely waterfall. The area was mined for iron ore and manganese until the mid-1900s, and evidence of those bygone days remains along the Saint Mary's River Gorge.

The Hike:

From the trailhead follow the trail along the river. The trail is washed out at multiple locations and river crossings are difficult during winter/spring time due to ice and high water levels. The waterfall will be at the end of the gorge 2.3 miles from the trailhead.

- Take I-81 to Exit 205 at Raphine-Steeles Tavern
- Take a right onto VA 606 East for 1.5 miles
- Make a left on US 11
- In just 0.1 miles, make a right onto VA 56
- In 1.1 miles, make a left onto VA 608
- Drive 2.2 miles from that intersection, watching when VA 608 curves right to go through a railroad underpass.
- Turn right onto FDR 41 and continue 1.4 miles to its terminus at the trailhead parking area.