Hike to Spy Rock
The views from Spy Rock are simply breathtaking. It's a short hike, but from the top you can see the Religious Range: The Priest, The Little Priest, The Friar, The Little Friar, and The Cardinal.
The hike is part of the George Washington National Forest, and can easily be combined with nearby Crabtree Falls (300ft cascading waterfall with a hike to the top). The entire trip is 3.1 miles, and there are nice campsites at the base of the summit (no water source) if you want to add on this pretty overlook to a nearby longer hike. This is definitely a hike for locals, so it's never too crowded despite having probably the best views of the Blue Ridge around. The spring and fall are the best time to see the flowers and the fall foliage.
From VA56 turn onto SR690 to the Montebello Fish Hatchery. A small parking area for hikers is available beyond the hatchery buildings (follow the sign). From the parking area cross the road towards the yellow road barriers and head up this uneventful fire road, with occasional blue blazes for 1 mile until you reach the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) intersection.
At the A.T. intersection take a left towards Spy Rock which you will reach in 0.6 miles -- pay attention, this turn can be easy to miss if you aren't watching for it! There is a short Spur Trail to take you over to Spy Rock. There is an easy scramble to get to the top, but my small lab made the journey with no problems if you want to bring your pup. This could be a sunset or sunrise hike, but the views to the west are slightly better looking into the valley.
Pack List
- Water
- Backpack
- Camera
- Snacks
If you want to camp:
- Sleeping bag
- Tent
- Plenty of water. There is no water source here, but it's still a great little camping spot
- Bug spray in the summertime
| RT Distance | 3.1 Miles |
| Activities | Chillin, Camping, Photography, Backpacking, Hiking |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
| Season | Spring, Autumn |
| Trail Type | Out-and-Back |
| Features |
Dog Friendly
Forest
Romantic
Scenic
Wildflowers
|
Reviews
Leave a ReviewOverall rating:
Gorgeous views
Hiked this trail from the Hatchery with my 10 year old on 1/21/18 so it is currently open. Just about the best ratio effort:reward - the reward being the views! - within a 100 Miles! All the effort is on the 1.5 out leg of the hike climbing the trail. All down hill back to the parking spot. Bring your camera and an extra layer to hang out a while up top.
Trailhead Is Closed
As per the review below mine, the trailhead is currently closed and is gated with "No Tresspassing" signs. There is a map at the trailhead that will direct you to an alternate way of hiking to Spy Rock.
Alternate route to Spy Rock
Mike Yankovich The trail to spy rock from the Fish Hatchery AT parking lot has closed down. The private road is now closed to the General public. I’m a land owner on this road and have been working with the National Forest to get an alternate route to Spy rock. I was NOT in favor of closing down the trail until the alternate route was approved and blazed. The reason the road was close down has nothing to do with construction or development. It has to do with a bunch of land owners that had some unfortunate encounters with hikers camping on their property, making lots of noise and in one very unusual case, taking a dump on this side of the road and leaving the used toilet paper (the straw that broke the camels back). There is a sign at the gate that asks hikers to respect private property. Unfortunately, the more people that ignore the no trespassing signs, the more difficult it will to get the other land owner to change their mind and work with the National Forest on a better solution. The alternate route I was working on with the NF is still available if you are interested. Meadows lane road is a state maintained gravel road off Route 56 that goes to a parking lot at the top of Crabtree falls trail (called Crabtree meadows). Most cars can travel on this road in normal weather. This hiking route is slightly longer in distance but not as difficult to hike (less elevation change). It is on National forest property so camping is allowed everywhere (follow NF camping rules). If you are going to camp near the trail head this is a much better option : Take Meadows lane towards Crabtree meadows, at about 3.2 miles, you will see a 4WD dirt road heading off to the right and a bunch of car camping sites. Park off the road and hike up this dirt road past a gate until the road crosses the AT trail, head south (right) on the AT trail towards Spy Rock. You can also combine this hike with a hike to the North to the Priest or Crabtree falls. Please let me know if you want more details on this route or camping options near Spy Rock....Mike
