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A steep 3.7 mile climb on the AT from the James River Footbridge to the Rocky Row.


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Map Key

7.5

Miles

12.0

KM

Out and Back

2,439' 743 m

High

677' 206 m

Low

1,873' 571 m

Up

1,873' 571 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (5°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Open all year, but can be closed during the winter due to snow storms.

Overview

A steep 3.7 mile accent on the AT from the James River footbridge to the incredible views of the Rocky Row.

Description

This is a section of the AT that begins in a parking lot off of Hwy 130/501 at the James River Footbridge. You cross the highway, and the trail is marked in red paint about 20 feet up the access road and is marked with white vertical dashes the rest of the way.

The trail follows the Rocky Row Run Creek with a couple of wood bridge crossings. After a while, the trail heads up a few switchbacks to cross the 812. The trail continues up at a moderate rate, with one dip down to a creek crossing, until you reach a fork where a right leads you to a shelter and a left continues on the AT.

After the shelter fork, the trail begins to increase its ascent, and the switchbacks get more aggressive. At the top of the climb, you'll reach a fork in the trail whereas a left will take you back down the Little Rocky Row Trail to another parking location on Hwy 501, and when you go right you'll be rewarded with awesome views along the entire Rocky Row Ridge. Pick a good spot to relax and enjoy the view before heading back down the way that you came.

Contacts

Shared By:

Donovan Fitzgerald

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 7 votes

#3730

Overall
  4.0 from 7 votes
5 Star
14%
4 Star
71%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#108

in Virginia

#3,730

Overall
13 Views Last Month
1,865 Since Jan 21, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

The views from Rocky Row are why you make the climb.
Jan 21, 2017 near Glasgow, VA
Fuller Rocks -  AT - Looking South East
Jan 21, 2020 near Glasgow, VA
Little Rocky Row TrailHead from the top at the Appalachian Trail Intersection.
Nov 2, 2022 near Glasgow, VA
The trail can be quite leafy along Rocky Row Run Creek.
Jan 21, 2017 near Glasgow, VA
I am starting to escape the cloud cover on the trail to the Rocky Row.
Jan 21, 2017 near Glasgow, VA

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 3, 2022
Will Heinle
Accompanied by Anna Haight
Jun 28, 2019
Sherri Nevius
Sep 24, 2017
Josh Barbir
Very strenuous, but beautiful! 7.5mi
Apr 21, 2017
Stevan Ireland
Mar 11, 2017
Meredith Gunter
7.4mi
Jan 21, 2017
Donovan Fitzgerald
Absolutely fantastic hike from the James River to the Rocky Row Ridge. The views from the top are breath taking and worth every switchback. 7.4mi
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