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A great route on well maintained trails in the Manassas Battlefield National Park.


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Map Key

6.7

Miles

10.8

KM

Loop

287' 87 m

High

191' 58 m

Low

282' 86 m

Up

282' 86 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Open daily from Dawn to Dusk.

Overview

This is a nice route through one-half of the Manassas Battlefield. The terrain is not too tough. Follow the trails and learn some history.

Everything is pretty well maintained and while you'll see people along the way, it's not super crowded at all.

This route is a mix of open air and woods, so plenty of shade. Except for it when there is not!

Need to Know

Parking at the visitor center is free but can fill up on nice days. There are a few other lots along the route though.

Description

The trail begins at the visitor Center and heads north, past the Stone House (open seasonally), to Buck Hill where Pope established his headquarters. From Matthews Hill, visitors can look west to the area of the unfinished railroad where Stonewall Jackson placed his Confederate forces.

The trail continues along the graded railroad bed leading to a clearing at the Deep Cut, the scene of a bloody battle where Jackson's troops turned back a major assault, then turns south and passes the Lucinda Dogan House (one of three surviving Civil War-era structures in the park).

Moving across the road, the trail winds upward towards New York Avenue where monuments mark the site where the 5th and 10th New York regiments were slaughtered in a massive Confederate counterattack that swept eastward toward Chinn Ridge. After touring the Chinn Ridge area, the trail leads back to Henry Hill, where the final struggle during Second Manassas played out.

Flora & Fauna

Lots of deer during the spring and fall. I swear I smelled a bear one day. Not sure you would call dogs fauna, but there are lots of dog walkers. Most of them are well behaved (the dogs, that is).

History & Background

This trail leads visitors through the climactic stages of the second battle at Manassas that paved the way for the Confederate invasion of the North. Fighting occurred over three days in late August 1862 between Confederate troops under the command of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Union forces led by Gen. John Pope.

Contacts

Shared By:

Scott Spencer with improvements by Geoffrey Goodrum

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 18 votes

#1282

Overall
  4.2 from 18 votes
5 Star
28%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#45

in Virginia

#1,282

Overall
7 Views Last Month
4,283 Since Apr 15, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

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60%
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Photos

Henry Hill -- Manassas National Battlefield Park
Apr 23, 2015 near Bull Run, VA
The view from the battery overlook on Matthews Hill Loop, Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Dec 5, 2016 near Bull Run, VA
Farm Road
Dec 1, 2020 near Bull Run, VA
Almost at the end!
Apr 19, 2015 near Bull Run, VA
Stone House -- During both battles, Federals turned the former tavern into a field hospital.
Aug 13, 2019 near Bull Run, VA
A battery of cannons welcomes visitors to the Matthews Hill Loop.
Dec 5, 2016 near Bull Run, VA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 69 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 12, 2022
Josh Wells
Sep 13, 2020
Av. Murat ERDOGAN
Jul 19, 2020
Daniel W
6.7mi — 2h 30m
Feb 29, 2020
Lex Matthews
May 18, 2019
Robert B
Jun 14, 2018
Kirsten Hite
Nice rolling trail. Easy running. Great views.
May 12, 2018
Alan Hohn
6.6mi
Apr 29, 2018
Laura D
6.6mi
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