Hike to the Sand Caves

Ewing, Virginia

4.8/5

based on 8 reviews

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Details

Distance

8 miles

Elevation Gain

2000 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Emily Westergard

This is a great spot to have lunch while out hiking the Ridge Trail. Some highlights include: waterfall, cave, luscious sand, rhododendrons.

After a 2.5 mi hike up the Ewing Trail, you will reach the Ridge Trail. Go left for approximately 1 mi until you reach a landing for horses. Another 0.25 mi down the trail, you will encounter some steep wooden steps as well as several slippery boulders. Depending on recent weather and season, you will reach the bottom where you may or may not find the Sand Cave Waterfall and stream. Check it out in the winter for some amazing icicles! The Sand Cave itself extends back about 100 ft with beautiful, fine, white sand. Be cautious as there are bears in the area.

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Reviews

Explorer

Jared Beeler

Explorer

Hike to the Sand Caves

09/10/20

Although the hike is very steep it is a place to go! The size of the cave is amazing and is a lot of fun for kids to play in.

5.0

Caitlyn Campbell

Hike to the Sand Caves

06/16/18

The hike can be a bit rough but seeing the sand caves are worth every bit of the elevation change.

5.0

Jean-Claude Linossi

Hike to the Sand Caves

05/24/18

Beautiful hike and the caves are awesome.

5.0

Justin Davis

Hike to the Sand Caves

03/25/18

Cave is a lot larger than I figured it would be. Cool waterfall at the opening too.

5.0

Kimberly McCowan

Hike to the Sand Caves

07/28/17

Wonderful hike! Absolutely amazing Sand Cave! Pictures can not do it justice!

4.0

Dan Barr

Hike to the Sand Caves

09/02/16

I had no idea this place existed until I saw this listed on The Outbound. I backpacked Cumberland Gap in March 2016 with the intent of finding it, and despite rain and hail, I finally found it. The amount of sand within the cave is absolutely astonishing, near the back it has to be dozens of feet deep, and with the ephemeral waterfalls going overtop of it, it made the whole trip worth it. Its a hike to get there, I took the shorter approach from the trailhead in Ewing, VA and it took me about 3 hour stop reach it over 4-5 miles and about 1500 ft elevation gain. Its not overlying daunting, but it'll give you a workout to get there.

5.0

Josh Hollandsworth

Hike to the Sand Caves

05/17/16

I had a buddy take me here, and I'm not going to lie, I was very surprised. It was really bizarre seeing a cave full of sand in the Virginia mountains. Totally out of place, but fascinating!

4.0

Michelle Henderson

Hike to the Sand Caves

11/22/15

This is an incredible cave; pictures really cannot do it justice!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Hike to the Sand Caves

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