North Mountain
Mountain gravel road, access from Lexington
8.4 miles (out-and-back) - 1552 ft. elevation gain
8.4 miles (out-and-back) - 1552 ft. elevation gain
With more than 1500 feet of elevation gain in just over 4 miles, this is arguably Rockbridge’s most challenging road run. Turnpike Road (770) rises steeply with little to no traffic from Lake Robertson all the way to the crest of North Mountain. The road starts out paved, but within a mile turns to gravel, and the last mile gets steeper, rougher, and narrower.
North Mountain is located about 20 miles west of Lexington near the border with Alleghany County. There’s plenty of parking near the entrance to Lake Robertson Recreational Park, but you may technically have to purchase an access permit online at gooutdoorsvirginia.com to be strictly legal. There are also several free parking spots at the top of the mountain, near the entrance to Pete’s Cave Trail.
The run can easily be extended by continuing down the other side of North Mountain or going on to Pete’s Cave Trail, a single track trail with tremendous views which traverses the ridge of North Mountain for a 6.7 mile out and back.
North Mountain is located about 20 miles west of Lexington near the border with Alleghany County. There’s plenty of parking near the entrance to Lake Robertson Recreational Park, but you may technically have to purchase an access permit online at gooutdoorsvirginia.com to be strictly legal. There are also several free parking spots at the top of the mountain, near the entrance to Pete’s Cave Trail.
The run can easily be extended by continuing down the other side of North Mountain or going on to Pete’s Cave Trail, a single track trail with tremendous views which traverses the ridge of North Mountain for a 6.7 mile out and back.
Website created and maintained by Laurel Worth Sheffield. © Friends Of The Chessie Trail