Hike Rock Castle Gorge Loop Trail (strenuous)

April 15, 2023 -
9:00am to 7:00pm
Rock Castle Gorge - email for specific details

This is a classic spring hike, sponsored by the Sierra Club Foothills Group. Rock Castle Gorge is in the Rocky Knob Recreation area of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Stuart and Floyd, VA. It's 11 miles and strenuous.

We start this loop trail at the bottom of the gorge along Rock Castle Creek and climb unrelentingly and seemingly endlessly (actually about 2.5 miles) up to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the crest. The trail includes beautiful rock-strewn meadows, lots of wildflowers, cows, cattle guard ladder crossings, rhododendron tunnels, and mountainside traverses, ending with a 4-mile descent along the gorgeous Rock Castle Creek.

This will be a long day. It's a 1.5 hour drive to the trailhead, then about 7 hours of hiking to complete the loop. We will be starving by then, so bring some $$ for a stop at Stuart, VA's finest Mexican food restaurant before heading back home.

This hike is not for the faint of heart or weak of leg or lung. Wear sturdy, comfortable hiking boots/shoes, bring rain gear regardless of the forecast, and plenty of food and water. Trekking poles are also highly recommended.

Contact Henry Fansler at hbjfansler@windstream.net to participate.