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A rolling trail through thick woods with the chance to see varied wildlife.


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Map Key

3.3

Miles

5.3

KM

Loop

684' 209 m

High

415' 126 m

Low

425' 130 m

Up

468' 143 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Preserve is TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to COVID-19

Preserve Hours
The Preserve is open FRIDAY - SUNDAY year-round.
March 16th – November 14th
8:00am – 6:00pm
November 15th – March 15th
8:00am – 4:30pm

To contact Virginia Outdoors Foundation Preserve Staff, please call:
571-260-5200

Description

This trail is called the Fern Hollow Loop, a 3.7 mile loop blazed green and rated as "moderate". The trailhead for this loop starts just before the train tracks at the end of Beverley Mill Drive at the Virginia Outdoors Foundation Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve information kiosk.

Passing through several plant communities, this trail provides an opportunity to delve into
the varying natural habitat types that are found within the preserve—from the mountain
laurel-covered ridges to the beautiful low-lying seeps, including the locally treasured section
of habitat known as Fern Hollow. This trail is dotted with a myriad of historic features—
including the upper mill and meadowlands ruins, ice house structure, Corum House, and LJ
cemetery. The western portion of this trail also offers a beautiful view of the Chapman Mill and
Thoroughfare Gap and provides a glimpse into the face of the natural quarry line that served
as an entrenchment during the American Civil War.

Flora & Fauna

Squirrels, deer, turtles, frogs, and rattlesnakes! So watch where you put you feet.
I have heard that black bear roam as well.

Contacts

Shared By:

Scott Spencer with improvements by Summers Cleary

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 5 votes

#11048

Overall
  4.2 from 5 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
80%
3 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#276

in Virginia

#11,048

Overall
14 Views Last Month
1,132 Since May 10, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

25%
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Photos

The old mill!
May 13, 2015 near Haymarket, VA
Just some woods and people on the Laurel Trail!
May 13, 2015 near Haymarket, VA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 14, 2022
Jeffrey Riley
Sep 25, 2016
Eric Sisk
4mi — 2h 34m
Aug 21, 2016
Doug Janelle
May 17, 2014
Carlos Arias
3.7mi
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