Mile
Marker |
|
Hiker Rated
Parking Safety |
|
Directions
|
Comments
|
Number of Vehicles
|
Map &
Weather
|
Source
|
|
Parking and Trail Crossing: 36.984340, -81.405521
The AT crosses VA 42 west of the parking area and the pavilion. A word about O'Lystery Pavilion. All the guide books plus stories from hikers indicate it is private and strictly off-limits to hikers. Apparently in the past there have been signs to this effect, but I saw none. I don't know if this indicates a change in policy by the owners or not, but it would probably be wise not to use it. AT lot is clearly marked.
|
Access from I-81 and I-77 is available. VA 42 is paved. This lot is easily accessed via paved roads, but there are many gravel mountain roads in the area, so plot your route accordingly. Short access walk to the AT starts in the back of the parking area and leads 50 feet to AT. To the left, south. To the right, north
If you head North bound on the trail from here, 'water up' every chance you get, there are two major stream crossings but two really big climbs through dry areas. If you head South toward Groseclose, the trail runs 9 miles though privately-owned farmland woodland, with only the track accessible to hikers. There are many, many wooden ladder-stiles over farm-fence, so be prepared to get tired of climbing up and down ladders. Very pretty country though. 'Water up' here as well, because although you are close to a stream most of the hike, it's cow country (filter or disinfect) and you are mostly fenced off from the stream, or legally denied access, because of the private land. 06/08/22
|
15
|
|
WardandDA @ gmail.com
|
|
See directions to the crossing of VA 42 (Mile 0.0). The intersection of VA 42 and VA 610 is 0.3 miles west of the crossing. Follow VA 610 south for 0.8 miles to the intersection with VA 742. Go right on VA 742 a short distance, passing the ruins of Tilson's Mill. The northbound trail comes in from the left, follows the road across a low water bridge "over" the North Fork of the Holston River, then goes right into the woods towards VA 42. The guidebooks indicate no parking here and it appears this is accurate. Even roadside parking would be difficult at best. This is probably better called an access point than a parking place.
|
If the river is high, the low water bridge may be flooded. It may be necessary to use VA 610 and VA 42 as a detour. See 'AT Guide to Southwest Virginia' . The marker indcates ths bridge. 12/01/09
|
None to very limited
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
An alternate route from I-81 is to follow the route from Exit 50 given for the VA 610 crossing (Mile 2.4). Continue another 1.1 miles to the intersection with VA 742. Turn left a short distance to the trail crossing.
|
06/10/08
|
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
See directions to the crossing of VA 42 (Mile 0.0). The intersection of VA 42 and VA 610 is 0.3 miles west of the crossing. Follow VA 610. This goes initially south but then turns right (west). It is 1.9 miles to the trail crossing at the Bland-Smyth County line. While the 'AT Guide to Southwest Virginia' says parking is available here, I found it was limited. I was able to pull off the pavement onto the grass at te crossing. There might be more parking just to the east where the paved road makes a turn to the left and the remnant of an old road goes straight ahead. I would be hesitant to park overnight here.
|
If driving from VA 42 on VA 610, the southbound trail goes left, the northbound trail goes right. 12/01/09
|
Limited roadside parking
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
This point may also be reached from I-81 via the following route. Take exit 50. The road at the end of the ramp is VA 622. Go north a short distance to US 11. Go left. VA 622 and US 11 coincide for 0.4 miles then VA 622 goes right. This is a paved but winding mountain road. Go approx. 8.5 miles from US 11 and go RIGHT on VA 610 (Old Rich Valley Road). Shortly before this VA 610 goes left but this should be ignored. Go about 4 mile to the trail crossing at the Bland-Smyth County line (sign). There is also a sign indicating a change of road name to Nebo Road.
|
There trail crosses stiles on either side of the road. If you take this route to the crossing, the northbound trail goes left, the southbound trail goes right. See pictures for a view of the signs and northbound stile. 06/10/08
|
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
36.964100, -81.391500
|
Parked here for a day hike - out and back - last week. There were two other cars there when I arrived and you could probably fit four cars if needed. 10/17/20 (revalidated April 2022)
|
|
|
Fussymary @ aol.com
|
|
From Va. 42, go west on Va. 610 as indicated, approx. 2 miles.
|
The AT trail crossing has been moved approx. 1/4 mile further west along Va. 610/Nebo Road. There are old stiles on either side of the road at the sign for the Smyth County/Bland County line, but this is NOT the AT. These stiles are now yellow-blazed. The AT crossing is approx. 1/4 mile west, with official AT sign, white blazed, and N/S directions painted on the road. There might be room for a car or two to pull off on the side of the road, but no off-road parking. 11/22/22
|
Limited roadside parking
|
|
weaver1776 @ bellsouth.net
|
|
To reach the trailhead, take exit 60 off I-81 and follow VA 680 north for 2.6 miles, then go left on VA 625. In a short distance go left, staying on VA 625. Most of the way the road is gravel, but well maintained. In 4.5 miles, just after passing a small church, go left on USFS 727 (Strawberry Road). This road is not as well-maintained. In two miles the road ends at a large parking circle. Just before the circle, the road fords a small creek which might be problematical after a heavy rain. The approximate location of the parking area is indicated by the marker on the attached map.
|
I have not hiked this trail, so information is from "Hiking Virginia" a Falcon Guide written by Bill and Mary Burnham. I have checked out the trail head. This SIDE TRAIL, blazed with orange diamonds, forms a 10 mile loop and provides access to the AT in Crawfish Valley, avoiding the climb over Big Walker Mt. from the north or Guillion Mt. from the south. Mostly the route follows old roads., starting out on a gated continuation USFS 727. When the route splits after a mile, keep straight. It is 2.8 miles from the parking area to the AT in Crawfish Valley. The sign at that intersection simply says "Crawfish Trail". This trail is also open to bikes and horses. 12/01/09
|
15-20
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
See previous listing (Mile 5.5) for directions to parking area.
|
I have not hiked this trail, so information is from "Hiking Virginia" a Falcon Guide written by Bill and Mary Burnham. This SIDE TRAIL is blazed with orange diamonds. To reach the AT intersection on Gullion Mt., take the old road from the parking area, then in 1 mile where the loop actually begins, go left. It is 5 miles by this route, so this really isn't that good an access. I am including it only for completeness. (Via the other branch to Crawfish Valley and then the AT, it is only 3.9 miles to this point.) If you are taking the trail from the AT go east at the intersection at the crest of Gullion Mt. This would be right if going north on the AT. This intersection only has the orange diamond blazes and no sign. Note: The AT Guide to Southwest Virginia says the two trail cross several times on the crest of the mountain, but I saw only this one intersection. 06/11/08
|
15-20
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
via I-81 exit 54, the entire way is paved. Coordinates: 36.897500, -81.369000
Follow Davis Valley Road north from Exit 54 off I-81 in Groseclose. This is initially VA 683, but in approximately a half-mile, it bears right and becomes VA 617. The trail crossing is 0.8 miles from I-81.
|
There is a very small parking lot on the right just before the trail crossing. It can be seen on the satellite vies of the map. If everyone parks courteously, about 3-4 vehicles can fit here. Driving from I-81, the southbound AT is to the right of VA 617, northbound is to the left.
A comment from days past (2007) indicates: The AT crossing is near The Davis Valley Winery. The winery sits on a hill on Davis Valley Road 1.8 miles from the exit. There is some roadside parking near the winery and the winery has a parking lot. Consult ahead of time with the owners about parking in their lot. Try their winery tour. 01/04/21
|
3-4
|
|
WardandDA @ gmail.com
|
|
Official southern end of section is at junction of US 11 (Lee highway) and VA 683 0.1 mile south of Exit 54 of I-81 (Groseclose Exit). The marker indicates this intersection. Roadside parking might be difficult at best. Parking is reportedly available in the lot for The Barn restaurant which is at the intersection. See mile 0.1 of Section 40 for more parking in this area.
|
Northbound AT (to Secction 39) goes north on VA 683 under freeway overpass. The north view on the street view shows this road. Southbound AT (to Section 40) goes west on US 11/VA 683 for 0.1 mile before going left (south) up an old farm road. Rotate the street view to the west to so see the route along US 11. 12/30/10
|
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
|
While they have a sign indicating they tow, if you go into The Barn restaurant they will give you a parking tag to put on your dash and tell you where to park for five dollars per day. 12/12/15
|
20-50
|
|
usnowds @ gmail.com
|
