Three Ridges Loop - 15 Miles - 4,000' Elev Gain

Starting & Ending Point - Reed's Gap Parking Area (Milepost 13.7) 37.901459, -78.985262

Distance/Elev Gain/Rating - 15 Miles/4,000'/ VERY STRENUOUS

Hike Map - Both the plan view and elevation section view is posted in the pictures.

Meeting Times - 7:30 am for carpooling from Pro Re Nata. 8:15 am for meeting at the trailhead.

Video Preview - Three Ridges Trail, Virginia - 1,141 Reviews, Map _ AllTrails - Google Chrome 2026-05-16 09-16-05.mp4

Hike Details - This is a VERY STRENUOUS loop hike. Three Ridges is a popular, almost 15 mile loop hike in the George Washington National Forest that includes steps on the Appalachian Trail and Mau-Har Trail.
This hike has summit views, rock scrambles, cascading waterfalls along Campbell Creek and two AppalachianTrail shelters – Harpers Creek and Maupin Fields.

Conditions - This is going to be a summer hike with a both a SIGNIFICANT distance and SIGNIFICANT elevation gain of almost 4,000'. Note the warm or hot weather likely this time of year that will increase the overall strenuous level of the hike.

Suggestions On What To Bring - LOTS OF WATER. Broken in Hiking Boots, Trekking Poles, Lunch/Snacks, Electrolytes, First Aid Kit, Good Day Pack, Bug Spray, Rain Poncho

Carpooling - We will be car pooling from Pro Re Nata brewery. If folks want to carpool from Charlottesville to Pro Re Nata, please communicate with each other directly to work out a carpooling plan. Leave in time to be at Pro Re Nata by 7:30 AM.

Meeting At Trailhead - If you are going to meet at the trailhead, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN ADVANCE and arrive at the trailhead by no later than 8:15 AM. Stay to the right and go to the far end of the picnic area where the trail starts.

After Hike Option - Your favorite beverage & snack at Devil's Backbone, Pro Re Nata or Blue Mountain Brewery