Ewing Trail - Sand Cave and White Rock

Dogs Off-leash

Features Cave · Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

This is a mildly technical trail that features a beautiful waterfall, a large cave with incredible sand, and incredible sandstone rock overlooks.

There may be horses on parts of this trail.

The trail starts at Civic Park in Ewing, VA, crosses into Cumberland Gap National Historic park, and begins as three miles of doubletrack that climbs about 2,000 feet through a series of switchbacks. There are several great vistas along the way, and you'll have several views of White Rocks up above the trail.

Continue past the hikers only trail at 2.5 miles; you'll come down this way to wrap up the lollipop after White Rocks. At approximately 4 miles, you'll come to a trail junction with a trail to the Hensley Settlement to the left and the trail to White Rocks/Sand Cave to the right.

Take this right, and then bear left down the trail to Sand Cave. In the winter, this may be icy. When there's been ample precipitation, the waterfall next to the cave is pretty. If it's been dry, it may only be a trickle. Take a few minutes to explore the vastness of this cave.

After exploring the cave, hike back up to the trail and bear left at the junction. At about 5.5 miles, you'll pass a horse barricade with a sign pointing to the Ewing Trail. Continue past this to visit White Rocks. Scramble up to the top of White Rocks and enjoy the view of the valley below.

Hike back to the aforementioned trail to a fun descent back to the Ewing Trail. Be careful on this connector trail as many of the rock steps are a little loose. At the Ewing Trail, take a left and enjoy the pleasant descent back to the trailhead.

Lots of rhododendrons, mountain laurels, oaks and maples. Several species of ferns. Birds and squirrels.