The Hiking Trails of Wintergreen
The Hiking Trails of Wintergreen
The Hiking Trails of Wintergreen
The Hiking Trails of Wintergreen
The Hiking Trails of Wintergreen
The Hiking Trails of Wintergreen
The Hiking Trails of Wintergreen
Hike Wintergreen
Below is a list of all of the trails of Wintergreen. To connect trails together to make longer hikes, check out the Insiders Guide to Hiking Wintergreen.
Looking for the trail map for the SKI SLOPES? Go here.
Over 30 miles of mountain and valley trails,
from extra easy to very challenging
The trails are open to the public
Distance: 0.7 miles (loop).
Difficulty Level: easy. 🟢
Time: 0.5 hour.
Elevation Change: 30 ft.
Key Features: wetlands, streams, family-friendly.
Blaze Color: blue.
Access: Parking lot off of Towee Court.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.3 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderately difficult. ◆
Time: 30 minutes.
Elevation Change: 200 ft.
Key Features: rocky, rock scramble, scenic views, geology, fixed ropes.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Start from Blackrock Park.
Google Maps directions to Blackrock Park parking lot.
Distance: 0.8 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: difficult. ◆
Time: 1 hour.
Elevation Change: 370 ft.
Key Features: rocky, wildflowers, geology.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: The closest access to the eastern end of the trail is from the 0.4-mile Pedlars Edge Access Trail off of Blackrock Circle. The closest access to the western edge is from Blackrock Park via the Plunge Trail.
• Google Maps directions to parking area on the western end.
• Google Maps directions to Blackrock Park.
Distance: 0.8 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: most difficult. ◆◆
Time: 1.5 hrs.
Elevation Change: 300 ft.
Key Features: scenic view, rocky, steep.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: Closest access is from the Three Ridges overlook parking on Blackrock Road.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.7 miles (one way).
Blaze Color: yellow.
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Elevation Change: 580 ft.
Time: 1 hour.
Key Features: scenic vista, hiking, wildflowers, rocky, forest.
Access: Parking is at the resort’s Discovery Center parking lot.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 1.9 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderate to difficult. ◆
Time: 1 to 1.5 hours.
Elevation Change: 300 ft./800 ft.
Key Features: rocky, scenic view, streams.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: Cedar Cliff parking is at the resort’s Discovery Center/ Snow Tubing parking lot.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 1.1 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Time: 1 hour.
Elevation Change: 250 ft.
Key Features: rocky, wildflowers, stream.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: Closest access is the Chestnut Park Access Trail (limited shoulder parking).
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.6 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Time: 0.5 - 1 hour.
Elevation Change: 200 ft.
Key Features: rocky, winter views, highest elevation, birdwatching.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: Park at the Devils Knob Overlook.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 1.1 miles (one-way).
Difficulty Level: moderately difficult. ◆
Time: 0.5 -1 hours.
Elevation Change: 510'gain/260’loss.(starting at Fortunes Ridge Drive)
Key Features: waterfalls, hiking, dense forest, stream.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: Closest access is from the intersection of Fortunes Ridge Dr and Wintergreen Dr. (Limited parking, 1-2 cars)
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.8 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Time: 0.5 - 1.0 hours.
Elevation Change: 370 ft.
Key Features: rocky, wildflowers, streams.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Parking is at the resort’s Discovery Center/Snow Tubing parking lot.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.5 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: easy to moderate. 🟦
Time: 0.5 hours.
Elevation Change: 10 ft. gain/200 ft. loss.
Key Features: viewpoint, easy access, stairs
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Parking is available at Wintergreen Resort’s Wintergarden parking lot. Parking and access is also at the Founders Overlook Access as well as the parking lots for Wintergreen Resort.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 1.6 miles (loop).
Difficulty Level: moderate to difficult. 🟦
Time: 1-2 hours.
Elevation Change: 410 ft.
Key Features: rocky, wildflowers, loop hike.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Access from the Wintergreen Resort Lot F.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 2.0 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: easy to moderate. 🟦
Time: 1 hour.
Elevation Change: 240 ft gain/750 ft loss.
Key Features: wildflowers, birdwatching, family-friendly.
Blaze Color: Yellow/Red.
Access: Access at the southern end is at the Discover Ridge Parking area.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 1.7 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Time: 1-2 hours.
Elevation Change: 700 ft.
Key Features: waterfall, streams, wildflowers, family friendly.
Blaze Color: blue.
Access: Parking at the end of Old Stoney Creek Road (at gate).
Google map directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.3 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Time: 0.5 hours.
Elevation Change: 180 ft.
Key Features: waterfall, rocky.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Closest access is from the Laurel Springs Access Trail on Laurel Springs Drive.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 3.0 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: easy to moderate. 🟦
Time: 2-3 hours.
Elevation Change: 800 ft./260 ft.
Key Features: rocky, wildflowers, fungi, scenic views.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: The north end is accessed at the Old AT Access on Laurel Springs Road. The south end is accessed on Cedar Drive.
Google Maps directions to parking area at the north end.
Distance: 0.6 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Time: 0.5 hour.
Elevation Change: 30 ft.
Key Features: waterfall, streams, family-friendly.
Blaze Color: blue.
Access: Parking on Pauls Creek Court.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 1.0 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: difficult. ◆
Time: 1 hour.
Elevation Change: 100 ft./400 ft.
Key Features: rocky, birdwatching
Blaze Color: red.
Access: The closest access to the southern end of the trail is from the 0.4-mile Pedlars Edge Access Trail off of Blackrock Circle.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 1.0 mile (one way).
Difficulty Level: most difficult. ◆◆
Time: 1-1.5 hours.
Elevation Change: 750 ft.
Key Features: rocky, geology.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: Southern end of the trail is accessed from Fortune Ridge Road. The northern end of the trail is accessed from the Devils Knob trail and the White Oak trail.
Google Maps directions to the limited parking at the trailhead on Fortune Ridge Road.
Distance: less than 0.1 miles.
Difficulty Level: super easy. 🟢
Key Features: scenic view, family-friendly, birdwatching.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Park at the end of Valley View Lane or Ravens Roost Lane.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.3 miles (loop trail).
Difficulty Level: easy. 🟢
Time: 0.5 to 1 hour.
Elevation Gain: 42 ft.
Key Features: streams, hiking, wildflowers, birding, family-friendly, forest, loop hike.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: The trail can be accessed from a small parking lot (4-6 cars) located at the corner of Blue Ridge Drive and Shamokin Springs Road.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.9 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: easy. 🟢
Time: 1-2 hours.
Elevation Change: flat.
Key Features: streams, wildflowers, family friendly, paved, flat, picnic.
Blaze Color: blue.
Access: Parking is off of Stoney Creek West, 1/10th of a mile past Creekside Close on the left side of the road.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.1 miles.
Difficulty Level: easy. 🟢
Time: 15 minutes.
Elevation Change: none.
Key Features: wildflowers, family-friendly.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Park at the Trillium House parking lot. On the corner of Wintergreen Drive and Devils Knob Loop.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.8 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: difficult. ◆
Time: 1.0 hours.
Elevation Change: 270 ft.
Key Features: rocky, streams, challenging.
Blaze Color: red.
Access: Access the trail from the Old Appalachian Trail. Park at the Old AT Access on Laurel Springs Road.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.4 miles (one-way).
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Time: 0.5 hours.
Elevation Change: 240 ft.
Key Features: waterfalls, hiking, wildflowers, rocky.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Closest access is on Laurel Springs Drive from the Laurel Springs Access Trail.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Distance: 0.5 miles (one way).
Difficulty Level: moderate. 🟦
Time: 30 minutes.
Elevation Change: 150 ft.
Key Features: wildflowers, rocky, birding.
Blaze Color: yellow.
Access: Park at Founders Vision Overlook for access to north end of trail.
Google Maps directions to parking area.
Hiking trails difficulty ratings:
🟢 EASY: Generally level terrain, all abilities
🟦 MODERATE: Varied terrain, short steep sections.
◆ DIFFICULT: Lengthy steep sections, rocky, possible water crossings.
◆◆ MOST DIFFICULT: Steep rocky sections, experienced hikers only.
Special THANKS to the Nature Foundation of Wintergreen (TNFW) - whose staff and volunteers maintain Wintergreen’s trails!
Guided hikes are offered by the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen on most Saturdays, with additional hikes during the fall and summer. Go HERE for the calendar of events.
Membership in TNFW help maintain the trails and preserve the area for years to come. Please consider becoming a member. Go HERE for membership.
Find the interactive trail maps of all of Wintergreen here.
Paper trail maps are available at Wintergreen Resort's Mountain Inn and the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen.
You hike at your own risk
While Wintergreen is a resort community, know that most all of the mountain and valley trails here–like most trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains–insist on being taken seriously.
Follow this advice of experienced hikers of the Blue Ridge Mountains:
Do not hike alone.
Wear proper attire, including sturdy footwear.
Do not underestimate the terrain.
Carry drinking water and a snack.
Be aware of wildlife and respect its space.
Carry a hiking map.
Stay on marked trails to reduce your exposure to ticks and poison ivy.
Be aware of your limitations.
Know that the weather can change rapidly. Weather is different in the mountains.
Most of the trails here are open in winter, but snow and ice can make any trail treacherous. You hike at your own risk!
Trails that cross Wintergreen’s ski slopes are closed during skiing season (i.e., Loggers Alley, Cedar Cliff North).
Wintergreen’s trails link up to make interesting hikes
This 3.0-mile loop hike goes through rocky forested trail to spectacular vistas. Blackrock Trail is located on a south-facing slope. Brimstone trail is steep with rocky cliffs which provide incredible views of Three Ridges Mountain and points to the southwest. The trail meanders below the Plunge and consists of a series of steep, short up and down sections.
This 0.4-mile out-and-back trail is an excellent introduction to the beauty and natural history of the area. The trail consists of steep rock scrambles and rocky steps that lead to a spectacular view.
The 2.0-mile Cedar Cliffs Trail to the scenic vista is an out-and-back hike starting on the maintenance road (Grassy Ridge) which connects with the Cedar Cliff Main Trail. The trail meanders through dense forest cover and ends on a spectacular cliff that overlooks the Shamokin Gorge to the north.
This 2.4-mile loop hike follows the Cedar Cliff North trail to the spectacular view at Cedar Cliff overlook. The trail continues on the Cedar Cliff South trail to the Hemlock Spring trail. This beautiful scenic hike is boulder strewn and provides a beautiful scenic walk.
This is a 2.1-mile loop hike takes you to the beautiful Shamokin Springs Falls. While the overall elevation gain is moderate, there are a few somewhat steep/rocky sections, especially along the falls. The Loggers Alley is a well-graded forested trail, while the Chestnut Springs trail is rocky and steeper.
This 2.5-mile loop trail has forests, streams and a waterfall. Begin the Laurel Springs trail to the Fortunes Ridge loop by starting from Wintergreen Resort’s parking lot F. This hike will send you through an array of forest types, including mountain laurel thickets, yellow birch, hemlock remains, and oak hickory forest.
This 3.4-mile out-and-back hike begins on a jeep trail and then meanders through dense forest cover. The end of the trail is located at the base of a cascading waterfall that begins just below the Upper Shamokin Falls Trail.
This 2.1-mile out and back hike goes to a spectacular vista on the Old AT. The hike starts at the Shamokin Springs trail and continues on the Old Appalachian Trail. This trail is a beautiful, forested walk with some short rocky sections.
This 2.8-mile route follows the Old Appalachian Trail to Shamokin Falls. This waterfall flows year-round but is best visited after it has recently rained. The trail can be very rocky and muddy in spots, so good hiking footwear is recommended. There are a few spots where bog boards are in place to help navigate through areas that are often wet.
Upper Shamokin Falls with the Morgan Loop (0.8-miles) is one of the most popular and beautiful hikes on Wintergreen’s mountain. Follow the sound of falling water to the falls and be sure to stop and look around at the evergreen ferns and wildflowers.
The Nature Preserve is one of the most unique environments on the mountain. The high elevation wetland and braided streams allow northern tree species like birches and American beech to thrive. The preserve also provides habitat for numerous fern, wildflower, and bird species.
The 12-mile Wintergreen Loop hike encircles Wintergreen Resort (also referred to as Potatopatch Mountain). This hike is extremely challenging using multiple Wintergreen trails. Highlights include stunning views, waterfalls, and beautiful mountain laurel blooms. Challenges consist of steep, rocky sections and slippery spots. Good footwear and a map are essential.
This 6-mile loop hike circles around the north side of Wintergreen Resort. The trail starts on the White Oak trail, and includes Devils Knob trail, Old AT trail, Upper Shamokin Gorge trail, Falls trail and Loggers Alley trail. Waterfalls, wooded hikes and scenic vistas are all part of this hike.
The Upper Loggers Alley trail is closed in the winter.
This 6.4-mile hike circles around the southern side of Wintergreen Resort. From the Wintergreen Founders Overlook Access, take the Dobie Access Trail to start this loop. This loop includes many varied and difficult terrain and includes scenic overlooks, streams, steep rocky sections and forested areas.
Note: parts of this trail are closed in the winter when the ski slopes are open.
