LOCATION: Natural Bridge Station, VA
TRAIL DISTANCE: 3.5 Miles
TRAIL HEAD/ DIRECTIONS: Petites Gap Rd
TRAIL TYPE: In & Out
TRAIL GRADE:   Strenuous (4)
TRAIL PARKING: 10 Spots or less
KEY WORDS: Unique, Summit Views
Trail info
What’s to like about the trail: Plenty of rock crop, rock scramble, rock climb and majestic views. Its unlike ANYTHING you will see and hike in Virginia. Period.
Why go for a hike on this trail: You love rocks, you want a challenge and to see something rare.  How do boulders the size of cars and trucks stacked on one another sound?
Best time to go for a hike on this trail:  Spring, Summer and Fall. Avoid if raining, has rained or will rain.
 
Summary
About 30 minutes outside of Roanoke, VA in the town area of Natural Bridge is Devils Marbleyard. The trail distance will fool you, because its 1.4 miles to the start of the marbleyard and from there its up to you on how you want to climb and explore the yard. to get to the trail, from the parking lot use the Belfast trail. The trail will meander to a small fork, stay right to head to the marbleyard . The belfast trail is well maintained and marked, its comprised of dirt, small rocks, single-track and forest debris with small water crossings. You will start to see the marbleyard around the 1.2 mile mark. My recommendation is instead of accessing the yard at the bottom to instead go further on the trail to about midway up.  The trail is no slouch, it will work you but know that you will continue to have forest canopy and protection from any elements. The beauty of the marbleyard is you can access it at any point. The advantage of coming in midway is the immediate payoff of the view and the inspiration to climb on. As for the marbleyard itself, have fun! These huge rocks are the result of millions of years of erosion of a mountain caused by ice and bugs (yes insects). The climb to the top is your call and per your comfort.  just make sure at points to stop , turn and enjoy the view. I recommend highly doing this hike with a companion because this is strenuous, tricky and injuries can happen. The rocks become very slick in the rain or with a heavy dew. This trail is not recommended for kids or families

​HIKE ON!
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