Braley Pond Trails
Braley Pond Day Use Area is located just off Rt. 250 near West Augusta, just outside the proposed Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area. It includes a scenic lake, picnic area, small primitive campground, accessible restroom, and trails. It is a great spot for families to enjoy a variety of activities, such as picnicking, camping, fishing, hiking and biking. See Google Directions to Braley Pond.
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Braley Pond Loop - 3 miles, easy
The 3-mile Braley Pond loop is a pleasant hike that can easily be done in a morning or afternoon. The hike begins on Bald Ridge Trail at the Picnic Area and passes along the edge of Braley Pond, through a mature forest, by wildlife clearings and small ponds. At .8 mile, take Johnson Draft Trail on around the loop and back to the picnic area. Wildflowers are abundant around the pond and along the trail. This is also a good area for birding. Braley Pond has a beaver lodge and water lilies The hike has several small stream crossings, and the streams and ponds are rich with frogs and salamanders, making it an ideal hike for children to explore the natural world.
If pressed for time, visitors may choose to walk around the pond, which is only .5 mile and quite beautiful.
Bald Ridge Hike - 7 miles, moderate
For a longer hike, take Bald Ridge Trail to the crest of the ridge for an outstanding scenic overlook of Hankey Mountain, Crawford Mountain, Elliott Knob, and the Deerfield Valley. The overlook is about .2 mile past the junction with Bridge Hollow Trail. This up-and-back hike is 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1400 feet.
The 3-mile Braley Pond loop is a pleasant hike that can easily be done in a morning or afternoon. The hike begins on Bald Ridge Trail at the Picnic Area and passes along the edge of Braley Pond, through a mature forest, by wildlife clearings and small ponds. At .8 mile, take Johnson Draft Trail on around the loop and back to the picnic area. Wildflowers are abundant around the pond and along the trail. This is also a good area for birding. Braley Pond has a beaver lodge and water lilies The hike has several small stream crossings, and the streams and ponds are rich with frogs and salamanders, making it an ideal hike for children to explore the natural world.
If pressed for time, visitors may choose to walk around the pond, which is only .5 mile and quite beautiful.
Bald Ridge Hike - 7 miles, moderate
For a longer hike, take Bald Ridge Trail to the crest of the ridge for an outstanding scenic overlook of Hankey Mountain, Crawford Mountain, Elliott Knob, and the Deerfield Valley. The overlook is about .2 mile past the junction with Bridge Hollow Trail. This up-and-back hike is 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1400 feet.
