Prince William Forest, A 9.75 Mile Moderate Hike

Prince William Forest, A 9.75 Mile Moderate Hike

Nestled in the rolling woodlands of northern Virginia, Prince William Forest Park offers a trove of winding trails, hidden streams, and quiet moments beneath the towering canopy. For those seeking a hike that captures both the tranquility and the diversity of terrain, this hike is a wonderful adventure.

The hike begins at Turkey Run Ridge Campground and follows the High Meadows Trail, with its gentle terrain and sweeping views of meadows. The hike then connects with the South Valley Trail, which plunges into denser woodland, where the foliage thickens with oaks, maples, and beeches. The next segment, Oak Ridge Trail, shifts the scenery to broad trunks, knotted with age, and a forest floor surrounded by oaks. The final leg takes us down the Old Blacktop Trail, a pathway that once served as a main thoroughfare for park access, surfaced with a blend of packed earth and remnants of old pavement. Overall, the hikes are over moderate, sometimes steep hills and valleys with beautiful views.

Please note: There is limited reception in many areas of the park, including the trailhead. You may not be able to reach the hike leaders as it nears hike time.

Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy with the group.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 8:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 38.58261, -77.37392

The Street address is 5475 Turkey Run Rd, Triangle, VA 22172. There are 3 miles from the park entrance to where we meet.

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders are Tim; 202-744-0289 and Christa: 410-610-6254. Call or text as needed.

Details
Rating: Moderate to easy side of difficult
Distance: 9.75 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 830 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead
Fees: $20.00 entrance fee, or free with National Park Pass.

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Weather:
The weather for this location can be found here.

Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.