Trails

The outdoors at Wintergreen is an experience never to be forgotten. Perhaps most exciting is the knowledge that the span of man's life is but an instant compared to the accomplishments of nature. If the natural wonders we see here could speak, they would hold all mankind captive with their story.

The following trails are closed for winter (Nov - Mar):

• Appalachian Trail from Cedar Drive to the first crossover Laurel Springs Drive.
• Blackrock Trail
• Brimstone Trail
• Cedar Cliffs North Trail
• Loggers Alley from the Mountain Inn to Chestnut Spring Access
• Pedlars Edge and Access Trails
• Pond Hollow Trail North of Laurel Ridge Loop
• Upper Shamokin Gorge Trail

Why are trails closed in winter?

The Wintergreen trail system covers an assortment of terrain throughout its 30 miles. Within this mileage, the trail system passes through rugged, steep slope. The trails we close each winter have aspects such as steepness or an abundance of springs, which accompanied with potentially hazardous winter weather, create an unsafe hiking environment.

Laurel Ridge Loop Reopens

The western third of Laurel Ridge Loop is now re-open, after the construction of the Associate Housing building. Follow the trail sign near the yield sign, coming down through the Mountain Inn parking lots, on Wintergreen Drive. Walk through the parking lot of the new Associate Housing building to re-join the trail at the opposite end of the parking lot.

Fortune’s Ridge – a stroll in the backcountry

“The same leaves over and over again!
They fall from giving shade above,
To make one texture of faded brown
And fit the earth like a leather glove”
-from In The Hardwood Groves by Robert Frost

This passage from Robert Frost reminds me of the Fortune’s Ridge trail after every autumn. A wide draw at the beginning offers a sea of hay-scented ferns near the trailhead and becomes a kind of catch basin for a deep blanket of leaves in the early winter. This trail is great place to witness the change in the forest as it makes it slow but constant descent to Fortune’s Ridge Drive.

The trailhead is just past the Three Ridges overlook on Black Rock Drive. The trail starts with some stone steps and shortly enters the fern field. Continue down to the intersection with the legendary Brimstone trail where you turn right. Enjoy the gentle contour as you follow the slope around to the four-way intersection. Here is the beginning of Spruce Creek which eventually crosses Rt 151 just south of Nellysford. Turn left and follow the series of wooden walkways as you cross the braided streams and descend steeply to the beautiful cascade that is one of Wintergreen’s hidden gems. In the winter, this little wonder will festoon the bushes and trees with ice from its spray. At the cascade, turn right sharply and start a steady climb out of this deep ravine to regain some of the lost altitude. Notice the change in the forest and the terrain in this area. This south eastfacing ridge supports popular trees and presents a more open forest environment. In the winter, look for sudden glimpses of the valleys where Spruce Creek runs out into the Rockfish Valley. The remainder of the trail meanders through a thick stand of mountain laurel, which always puts on great bloom show in the late spring. A short climb out at the end puts you at the intersection of Wintergreen Drive and Fortunes Ridge Drive. The Ridge was named for John Fortune, an early settler and one time owner of this land.

The hike down Fortunes Ridge is only 1.2 miles in length and while it is never very far from the developed areas of Wintergreen, the intervening ridgeline creates a nice sense of backcountry and wilderness. Drop a car off at the trailhead on Fortunes Ridge Drive or make a longer circuit by using Pond Hollow-Laurel Ridge Loop as a return option. Trekking poles or walking sticks recommended.

Don't forget about our great Valley Trails