Star Gap Ridge

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

From Tunnel Ridge Road North, hike until you find the first prominent trail on the left side. It begins by traversing a small hill and then dipping down and going through an old gate. Continue out the singletrack that used to a be a dirt road. Bear right art the first vague fork and continue following the ridge.

At a three-way intersection, there is a spur that goes to the right that will take you out on the unobvious Star Gap Arch. Continue straight for the main ridge trail.

After the arch spur bear right at the next vague intersection and the ridge will begin to narrow. As big cliffs become apparent on your right, you may be able to see Star Gap Arch on the adjacent ridge.

Continue over some naked sandstone where the first real climbing begins. The trail snakes over the crest of the ridge and slowly narrows as you leave what was once a private campground.

There are some incredible overlooks on the left side and some less apparent ones on the right as you continue over a couple of knobs on a tight and twisty trail.

Eventually, you'll have to do some scrambling to cross a saddle. Keep hiking once on the other side and persevering through a less well-traveled trail until you can bear back to the east and climb a bare slab with big cliffs on both sides. You're almost to the end of the ridge.

When you can go no further turn around and retrace your steps all the way back to Tunnel Ridge Road North.