Garden Mountain, Chestnut Ridge, and Brushy Mountain via Appalachian Trail

Explorers in Southwest Virginia run into a common problem: local hikes and waterfalls are often saturated with college students out enjoying a warm day. While it's wonderful to have so many people appreciating the beauty of the Jefferson National Forest, it can be difficult to find a remote, quiet place to sneak off to in this part of the state. Dismal Falls offers the perfect combination of re...

The hike to High Rocks begins at a gravel parking lot up a long winding road, seems like forever but really is only mile or two past the quarry when your turn onto the road.  The out-and-back hike begins by passing through the two large boulders near the back of the parking lot. The trail leads down/towards the left, a grassy area will be down to your left, that's how you know you're on the rig...

There are many trails in the area so here is a map to start out because it can get confusing:http://gilescounty.org/images2/Map-Town%20Farm-Hiking%20Trails%20%282010%29.pdf.From the parking area, keep to the left side of the stream and head up the gravel road. You'll soon come to the Mill Creek dam, which has a shelter and picnic area. Continue to stay to the left of the stream, as the gravel ...

This is a wonderfully easy hike to White Oak Falls. After visiting Bush Creek Falls, keep walking down the trail. You'll enter the Bush Creek Nature Preserve area. If you visit after heavy rains, please note that your feet will get wet. There are numerous cascades that come down and cross over the trail on their way to the creek. They are easy to maneuver and only one or two get deep enough to...

Brush Creek Falls is a beautiful 25' waterfall that spans across Brush Creek. It is accessed via a short 0.5 mile hike with minimal elevation gain. From the parking area on Brush Creek Falls Road, take the trail to the right of the picnic shelter. This easy and relatively-flat trail through rhododendron winds 0.5 miles to a fenced overlook of the falls. Take in the view of the falls from the ...

There are several locations to begin your trek on the New River Trail, but our favorite is the Draper Valley area. The pin on the map will take you right to the parking lot. There is a $5 state park fee and a self-pay envelope station. From here we head south, and after about a mile you catch your first glimpse of the New River. You'll cross several bridges that provide excellent opportunities ...