The Experience
You will love: The amazing perch views of the Shenandoah River bends.
You need to know:
Your adventure begins at the Fosters Boat Ramp parking. Let's continue, from the lot just walk across the street and find the blue marked Habron Gap trail. This feisty trail will have you gain over 1,300 ft in elevation over 2.1 miles, so pace is key. The initiation of this trail will be a meandering folly of short up and downs along a heavily wooded trail and a manageable creek crossing. In fact at first you may think, " is this all?". Have no fear your climb and lung burn start shortly as switchbacks become more frequent and more steep. The incline will have you tackling roots, compacted dirt, leafy material and small rocks and loose stone. Continuing on your upward trajectory , there will be plenty of peek a boo views to be just enough of a carrot to dangle to get you to the top. At 2.1 miles, come to an intersection with the Massanutten trail (orange trail marker) and hang a right. Now your trail becomes a ridge ramble, with a much narrower course, boulders and perch views of the Shenandoah River. Go for 0.4 miles and look on your right for a small perch outcrop with a view of Shenandoah River and inward mountain slope from the left side. It is here (so the story goes) that there is a boulder that sticks out resembling Yoda from Star Wars. I was able to find the boulder but not a boulder resembling Yoda. Regardless, this perch is a perfect place to have a snack or lunch and enjoy the river views. Once fulfilled, retrace your steps back to your car.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
You need to know:
- It's called Yoda because of a rock formation at the summit. (we did not see it)
- Parking: There are Fish & Wildlife signage with strict permit parking signs, however, leave a note on your dash that you are hiking
Your adventure begins at the Fosters Boat Ramp parking. Let's continue, from the lot just walk across the street and find the blue marked Habron Gap trail. This feisty trail will have you gain over 1,300 ft in elevation over 2.1 miles, so pace is key. The initiation of this trail will be a meandering folly of short up and downs along a heavily wooded trail and a manageable creek crossing. In fact at first you may think, " is this all?". Have no fear your climb and lung burn start shortly as switchbacks become more frequent and more steep. The incline will have you tackling roots, compacted dirt, leafy material and small rocks and loose stone. Continuing on your upward trajectory , there will be plenty of peek a boo views to be just enough of a carrot to dangle to get you to the top. At 2.1 miles, come to an intersection with the Massanutten trail (orange trail marker) and hang a right. Now your trail becomes a ridge ramble, with a much narrower course, boulders and perch views of the Shenandoah River. Go for 0.4 miles and look on your right for a small perch outcrop with a view of Shenandoah River and inward mountain slope from the left side. It is here (so the story goes) that there is a boulder that sticks out resembling Yoda from Star Wars. I was able to find the boulder but not a boulder resembling Yoda. Regardless, this perch is a perfect place to have a snack or lunch and enjoy the river views. Once fulfilled, retrace your steps back to your car.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
- 2 water bottle or Camel Bak
- Light snacks
- Lunch
- Hiking shoes or Trail Runners
- Bug spray
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LOCATION: Montebello, VA
TRAIL DISTANCE: 4 Miles TRAIL HEAD/ DIRECTIONS: SPY ROCK ROAD TRAIL TYPE: In & Out TRAIL GRADE: STRENUOUS (4) TRAIL PARKING: 20 Spots or less KEY WORDS: AGES +12 , Summit views 
TRAIL INFO
What’s to like about the trail: great forest canopy, in the heart of the piedmont, good quad buster ascent Why go for a hike on this trail: Summits, you like summits… this is a huge dome that will show itself off with a 360 degree view of the lower valleys. Best time to go for a hike on this trail: Cooler months… this trail will bring on the sweat. Summary: A fun find tucked away in the hills near the blue ridge parkway. I promise not to sugarcoat this one. The start begins with a steep ascent that will get that heart rate going immediately. The trail is very well marked and maintained, eventually intersecting with the AT. Once you are at the intersection, you will take a left (at the odd fairy tale story looking tree) and begin another ascent to Spy Rock. The trail from here is dirt, plenty of small and loose rock and well grown in forest. There are not many views along the trail until the top. Once you reach the campsite/ the end of the trail you will reach the dome: Spy Rock. Here’s the fun part, there is no trail to the top. You can either climb straight up (I mean climb and scramble) or you walk around to the left and skip and skirt a few large boulders to find your way up (if you took option 2 then the summit comes up on your right). The pay dirt is Spy Rock is a large dome that shows off a 360 degree view. There is plenty of space at the top to avoid others, have a lunch or sunbathe. To return to your car, simply retrace. This hike is recommended for families with older kids and those in decent to good shape (means you walk, run or work out routinely). I also recommend, taking the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Afton, VA for the scenic route with killer views. The blue Ridge Parkway lets out at Route 250, make a right on 250 and go about 5 miles down to route 151. Make a right on 151 and know this road hosts a few breweries and wineries to refuel. HIKE ON! |
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
LOCAL
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