Hike Goshen Pass
Goshen, Virginia
Details
Distance
5.6 miles
Elevation Gain
1200 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Jess Fischer
Two short but steep climbs will take you to the top of the mountain with fantastic views of Goshen Pass and Maury River below.
The parking for the trailhead is down an unmarked gravel/dirt road about 1.5 miles upriver from the Virginia Wayside rest area on Route 39 West. You'll see the swing bridge out across the river and the road will be immediately after this on your right. The road goes back about 200 yards to the parking area and to the base of the swing bridge.
The trails will be white blazed (but you are not on the Appalachian Trail), but they are faded so they're not very easy to see. To start, cross the swing bridge over the Maury River and take a right to begin hiking the trail. Follow the trail as it winds its way beside the river down-stream for 0.8 miles. The trail is over-grown in some places but it is easy to follow. At the intersection (you'll see wooden signs up on a tree), take a left onto the Chambers Ridge Trail. This is the beginning of one of your uphills. In 0.2 miles you'll hike up to a little waterfall on your right. You will continue to hike uphill for 0.4 miles. The trail then levels out as you hike a ridgeline and in 0.5 miles there is a small pond. Hike past the pond and in 0.3 miles you'll reach the intersection of the Little Peak Trail. The wooden sign is laying on the ground. Take a right at this point. You will climb 800 feet in 0.6 miles and you will most likely need to stop and take a few breathers. This part of the trail is very strenuous. At 0.5 miles there is an unmarked outlook of Lake Merriweather. and 0.1 miles after that there is a big outcropping of rocks that you'll need to hike out on (on your right) to take in the views of Goshen Pass and Maury River below. To finish the hike, retrace your footsteps back to the parking lot, taking extra caution on the steep downhills.
Hunting is allowed on this property and the adjoining Wildlife Management Areas, so be careful and wear orange during hunting season.
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Hike Goshen Pass Reviews
Hiked this July 6, 2024. The directions above are solid, with a couple of updates: (1) The blazes are blue now and very visible. (2) The wooden sign that was on the ground when this was written has been replaced with a more permanent and easily visible signpost. Runkeeper clocked this out and back at 5.75 miles and elevation gain at 2,792 (we did not take any side excursions). We are frequent hikers, runners, and also gym rats, and we both thought this was a strenuous hike for the distance. (July midday heat contributed to that assessment). The up is no joke and care should be taken on the down. I would not take a pet or small kids on the whole route. Hardest sections of the trail are also very narrow. Great view at top.
5.0
Oh man this one was tough - definitely my summer brag. But the view was incredible, even in early March!
4.0
Decent hike, the inclines allowed for a good exercise. I particularly enjoyed the ridge line early in the morning. At the base of the outlook rocks there were several bee nests so getting up to the outlook was slightly tricky having to scale the rocks from the right side.
4.0
Big fan of this trail, didn't find it too strenuous, however. Keep an eye on your heading, as the trail blazes/markers are faded in some areas.
5.0
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