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Section 40 - Great Valley (US11/I-81) to Brushy Mountain (VA 16) Displayed from North to South

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  Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers http://www.path-at.org/ Get In Touch US 52/I 77 to VA 670

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Mile
Marker
 
Hiker Rated
Parking Safety
Directions Comments Number of Vehicles  Map   &  
 Weather  
Source
0.0
Great Valley (US11/I-81)
   Poor           Great




Official northern 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 for more parking in this area.


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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
  1

  1

David Cullen
0.1
US 11/Middle Branch Holston River
   Poor           Great



 
See mile 0.0 for directions to the intersection of US 11 and VA 683 in Groseclose. From here the soutbound trail follows US 11 west for 0.1 miles. Just before the highway crosses the Middle Fork of the Holston River (here a rather insignificant stream), the trail goes left up an old farm road. Relax Inn, which is nearby, will allow parking for a very nominal fee. I saw at least three cars at the motel which were obviously parked long term. Short term parking may also be possible at the Shell Truck Stop just east of the motel. The markers on the attached map are at the point where the southbound trail leaves US 11. Rotate the street view to the southwest to see the overgrown farm road that the trail initially follows. Rotate to the north to see the view back up US 11 towards its intersection of VA 683. 12/30/10
  1

  1

David Cullen
2.2
VA 729 (Kegley Road)
   Poor           Great



 
See directions to the Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia (Mile 2.7). Kegley Road goes left from Rocky Hollow Road (VA 615) just across from the old school house. Continue on gravel Kegley Road for 0.3 miles. The AT crossing is just after the road bears right. The crossing is marked by the green arrow on the attached map. Roadside parking might be possible here for 2-3 cars. 6/18/2006 2-3 carsa
  1

  1

David Cullen
2.7
VA 615 (Settlers Museum)
   Poor           Great




Follow signs for Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia. West from the intersection of VA 683 and US 11 which defines the start of section 40, the two route coincide. Go past the truck stop and motel, cross an overpass over the railroad tracks and then go left (south) on VA 683 (Phillipi Hollow Road). In 1.7 miles go left on Rocky Hollow Road. The Settlers Museum is about a quarter mile further. Follow signs for parking. On the attached map the marker indicates the trail crossing. The parking area can be seen to the right. Parking safety ratings refer to this parking area. (re-validated January 2021 / DA Thomas (Rohland editor) The southbound AT goes past the east side of the old schoolhouse. The northbound AT enters the field on the other side of Rocky Hollow Road. This is just past the intersection with Kegley Road. 6/18/2006 (re-validated January 2021 / DA Thomas (Rohland editor) Ample parking.
  1

  1

David Cullen
7.4
USFS 86
   Poor           Great




According to the AT Guide to SW Virginia, parking is available at this crossing. However the crossing of the AT cannot be accessed by vehicle from FS 86. FS 86 is closed at both ends - the NFS does not have right-of-way. They are posted and enforced by the private owners. (Could ask for permission from private landowner - but I didn't try.) Went to confirm these closings at Mt Roger's Rec Area HQ on 16 and they said that only legal way to get in was to use FS 644 from Va 615, and go all the way around the mountain - but this route gets locked up for the winter. After a brief discussion, it was deemed easier to hike via the AT to Route 86 if one must get to that crossing 09/04/11
 

 

alfred.nai @ gmail.com
10.8
VA 622
   Poor           Great



 
From Mt. Rogers NRA headquarters go west on Va 16 for approximately 0.5 miles, then go left (north) on gravel VA 622. The trail crossing is about 0.5 miles up VA 622. Note: In May 2008 VA 622 was under construction and was closed off at the intersection with VA 16. I have no idea how long it will be closed. The marker on the attached map indicates the trail crossing. The built up area in the lower left is the Mt. rogers Headquarters. 12/02/09 Possibly roadside parking for 2-3 cars
  1

  1

David Cullen
The road is now open but reports indicate that parking is no longer possible there. At best it should be considered as a drop-off point only. 02/04/12 Probably 0
 

 

David Cullen
11.5
Brushy Mountain (VA 16)
   Poor           Great




Parking and Trail Crossing: 36.810856, -81.421190
Ample parking in the visitor center lot. Pull-off parking (outside the gate) across from the visitor centor holds only about 3-4 cars.
7 miles south of Marion (I-81, exit 16) and 3 miles north of Sugar Grove. The AT crosses Trail VA 16 at the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Pat Jennings Visitor Center. Some roadside parking is possible across from entrance to the visitor center, but is probably not good for long term. Ample parking in the visitor center parking lot (must get permit for long-term). IMPORTANT: gate is closed and locked after 4:30 PM weekdays and on weekends, so plan accordingly.

Driving south on VA 16 from Marion, the northbound AT (to Sec. 40) is to the left. The southbound AT (to Sec. 41) follows the west edge of the parking area at the headquarters, then goes into the woods.

IMPORTANT: as of April 2022 the visitor center remained closed (COVID) and onsite parking unavailable. Be sure to check the website for opening. The 3-4 pull-off parking spots outside the visitor center gate remains available. PLEASE, if you learn that the visitor center is once again available for parking, provide an update to this site. Thank you! 06/10/22
Ample at visitor center
  1

  1

WardandDA @ gmail.com

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