Sky Meadows State Park

Virginia State Parks Calendar

Ambassador Whitehouse Trail

High meadow environments and gorgeous vistas welcome hikers traversing this 1.1 miles through National Park Service lands managed in cooperation with Sky Meadows State Park. A moderate walk, Ambassador Whitehouse Trail forks off of North Ridge Trail just past the intersection with Piedmont Overlook Trail, and makes a long switchback eventually intersecting with the Appalachian Trail.

Blaze Color: Lt. Blue

• Length: 1.1
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Surface: Grass, Earth

Appalachian Trail, New Section

The Appalachian Trail is a National Scenic Trail that stretches more than 2,150 miles form Mount Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia. Approximately one quarter of the trail lies in Virginia with sections passing through Grayson Highlands State Park and Sky Meadows State Park. Sky Meadows’ 3 -mile section, from the Thompson Wildlife Management Area on the south to Route 50 on the north, is fairly easy hiking. In Sky Meadows, the Appalachian Trail is accessed from North Ridge and Ambassador Whitehouse Trails. For more information on hiking the trail, contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at appalachiantrail.org or look for a trail club in your area.

Blaze Color: White

• Length: 2.43
• Difficulty: Easy
• Surface: Natural

Eastside Trails

Designed for equestrians, these trails have been described as a horseback rider’s delight. Scenic views of the idyllic countryside abound. The trails start from the parking lot on the parklands east of Highway 17. Some trails have gravel but most are grass. Trails open to hikers are Rolling Meadows, Shearman’s Mill, Hayfield, and Old Pasture. Only 2 trails are for horseback riders only and they are The Lost Mountain and Washington’s Ridge trails. No dogs allowed on the eastside trail. Hikers must always yield to horseback riders by speaking to the approaching riders in a normal voice, stepping off the trail three to five feet while remaining visible and standing until the horses pass.

• Length: 5.3
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Surface: Natural, Gravel

Gap Run Trail

Gap Run Trail is a 1.2 mile, moderate difficulty hiking trail that is accessed from North Ridge Trail and from Boston Mill Road Trail. It takes hikers through open areas and through the woods along Gap Run Stream. As it climbs, it becomes rockier and narrower before intersecting with North Ridge Trail. Recent trail extension has been added.

Blaze Color: Orange

• Length: 1.18
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Surface: Grass, Earth

North Ridge Trail

North Ridge Trail is a 1.5 mile, difficult hiking trail that is accessible from the Appalachian, South Ridge, Gap Run, Ambassador Whitehouse, Piedmont Overlook and Boston Mill Road Trails. The section of the trail from the Appalachian Trail to Gap Run Trail is particularly steep and rocky, earning this trail its rating. Much of the remainder of the trail passes through moderate terrain surrounded by fields of seasonal wildflowers. Bird and butterfly watchers will enjoy this stretch. This trail offers a challenging hike as well as great views of the area.

Blaze Color: Blue

• Length: 1.54
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Surface: Earth, Grass

Old Trail

From 1983 – 2004, the Appalachian Trail had to be relocated onto Sky Meadows State Park lands. In 2004, in cooperation with the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail was rerouted back to its original corridor, leaving this section as part of Sky Meadows’ trail system. It is accessed from the Appalachian Trail near its junction with North Ridge Trail and north of Ambassador Whitehouse Trail. Its 1.3 moderate miles can be combined with the Appalachian Trail to make a very nice upper-ridge hiking loop.

Blaze Color: White

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• Length: 1.8
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Surface: Natural

Piedmont Overlook Trail

Piedmont Overlook Trail is a .7 mile, moderate hiking trail that can be accessed from North Ridge Trail and Boston Mill Road Trail. From the Boston Mill road Trail, it takes hikers up a moderate but smooth incline through an open meadow offering many good views of the area. The trail then enters the woods and continues to North Ridge Trail.

Blaze Color: Red

• Length: 0.61
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Surface: Grass, Earth

Shearman’s Mill Trail

The Shearman’s Mill Trail is a 1.0 mile, easy loop trail that starts near the barn on the parklands east of Rt. 17. This trail passes through a variety of habitats, including forest, field and wetland, crossing and following Gap Run Stream. This area of the park often rewards guest with glimpses of diverse birds and other wildlife inhabiting the region.

Blaze Color: Red