Groom's Ridge Trail - off Tilman Rd., 3.4 miles round trip, Difficult (1250 feet elevation change)
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From Stokesville, take State Route 718 through North River Gap. As you cross a bridge over Little River, you will see Girlscout Camp May Flather on the left. Take a right on Tilman Rd. (FR 101) and go .8 mile. Watch for a yellow-blazed trailhead for Grooms Ridge Trail on the left. Park on the right side of the road.
The trail through an oak/hickory forest begins with an easy grade, but soon becomes steep. Follow the blueberry-lined trail for 1.7 miles until you reach a rocky high point at 2921 feet elevation with a great view of Reddish Knob, Buck Mountain, Big Ridge, and Little Bald Knob. This viewshed is within Friends of Shenandoah Mountain's proposed 12,600-acre Little River Wilderness, which lies in the very heart of the proposed Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area.
This high point on Grooms Ridge is a great place to rest and enjoy the scenic beauty before heading back down the mountain. Fall is an ideal time to take this hike.
See Google directions to Stokesville.
The trail through an oak/hickory forest begins with an easy grade, but soon becomes steep. Follow the blueberry-lined trail for 1.7 miles until you reach a rocky high point at 2921 feet elevation with a great view of Reddish Knob, Buck Mountain, Big Ridge, and Little Bald Knob. This viewshed is within Friends of Shenandoah Mountain's proposed 12,600-acre Little River Wilderness, which lies in the very heart of the proposed Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area.
This high point on Grooms Ridge is a great place to rest and enjoy the scenic beauty before heading back down the mountain. Fall is an ideal time to take this hike.
See Google directions to Stokesville.
