Jeep Trails in Central Virginia

The ability to drive offroad is the most fun thing about owning a jeep!  To go places ordinary vehicles cannot go, and to see sights that most mortals do not have opportunity to.  The Stoney Run Jeep Trail is one such place, and is a fun thing to do while staying at our Virginia mountain cabins.  This 12-mile trail is definitely four-wheel drive only.  Sections of the trail are very rocky and steep.  I drove it several times with my Nissan Pathfinder, but it would be much better to have a shorter vehicle that is higher off the ground.

 

The drive is rough, but the solitude and incredible views are very worth it.  You’ll see sections of the George Washington National Forest that can be seen no other way.  And you’ll feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment that you were able to conquer such a difficult trail.  Plan on taking about four hours to make your way from end to end.

 

Stoney Run Jeep Trail connects the Coal road with the Blue Ridge Parkway.  To access the lower end, take the Coal Road (also known as fire road 42) from Mt Torrey Road (or 664).  Follow the Coal road approximately 7 miles to forest service road 162.  Turn left on 162.  The road gets rougher the further up you go.  To access the upper end, drive south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to milepost 18.  Look for a small pulloff with just one picnic table on the right hand side.  Take the forest service road just to the right of that pulloff.  At the Y, turn left.  That is the trailhead for the Stoney Run Trail.  Be aware that this road is subject to seasonal closures due to weather and road conditions to protect the natural resources.  Call the Pedlar Ranger District (540-291-2188) to check on trail closures.