Horseback Riding at Mount Rogers NRA
Equestrians at Mount Rogers have their own dedicated 80-mile path – the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail -- in addition to many other trails to trace. They also have their share of additional paths to enjoy from one end of Mount Rogers NRA to the other. Two campgrounds created for equestrians serve as base camps. Here are a few sample rides to get you enthused.
Horseback Trails
Virginia Highlands Horse Trail
TAYLORS VALLEY LOOP - 12.5 miles
Trails Used: Virginia Creeper Trail, Taylors Valley Trail
This circuit follows the Virginia Creeper Trail up along Whitetop Laurel Creek, with is many rapids, crossing numerous trestles to reach Creek Junction. Here, riders ford Whitetop Laurel Creek and pick up the Taylors Valley Trail. This path climbs past a homesite and drops down into Taylors Valley. Backtrack a bit on the Creeper Trail to complete the loop.
FOX CREEK LOOP - 7.8 miles
Trails Used: Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, Iron Mountain Trail, Flat Top Trail, Fairwood Valley Trail
This loop starts and ends at Fox Creek Horse Camp, making it especially convenient for equestrians. Take the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail up Locust Ridge to meet Iron Mountain. Here, the horse trail and Iron Mountain Trail share treadway to reach Flat Top. Descend on the Flat Top Trail to Fairwood Valley and the Fairwood Valley Trail. Cruise down the Fairwood Valley back to Fox Creek Horse Camp.
HORSE HEAVEN LOOP - 8.5 miles
Trails Used: East Fork Trail, Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, Forest Road 14, East Fork Trail
Leave attractive Hussy Mountain Horse Camp and head east on the East Fork Trail to meet the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. Climb up to Horse Heaven on the VHHT and enjoy occasional views before dropping back down to East Fork. Take Forest Road 14 just a short distance to pick up the East Fork Trail, which winds beneath large pines of the valley to return to Hussy Mountain Horse Camp.