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A pleasant creekside trail only a short drive from Charlottesville.


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Map Key

3.7

Miles

5.9

KM

96%

Runnable

1,745' 532 m

High

1,072' 327 m

Low

687' 210 m

Up

15' 5 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Swimming · Waterfall

Runner Notes

The trail is a little bit rocky and has a few creek crossings, but otherwise is a fantastic run. Can be combined with a road run along Sugar Hollow Road or a trail loop using the Appalachian Trail (AT), Turk Branch Trail, and the SF Moormans River Road.

Description

If starting at the lower parking lot, begin by running .5 miles up the road to the trailhead. There is only room for a few cars in the immediate vicinity of the trailhead.

About 0.4 miles into the run, you arrive at the first creek crossing. While it is only an easy rock hop across in the late summer, plan to take off your shoes and ford it in April or May. The creek opens up into a large swimming hole to the left of the crossing. Cross the creek two more times shortly after this (these crossings are easier).

About 1.9 miles into the trail, Big Branch approaches from the left. To see Big Branch Falls, run left before crossing Big Branch onto the Big Branch Falls Spur. The falls are very pretty in the spring, but amount to a little more than a trickle down a rock face later in the summer. Another small and shallow swimming hole is located immediately beneath the falls.

After returning from Big Branch Falls, cross Big Branch to continue on the trail. About 3.4 miles from the start, the trail turns into a fire road (NF Moorman's River Road) which continues up to Skyline Drive.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris Higby

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 7 votes

#1

in Crozet

#23587

Overall
  3.6 from 7 votes
5 Star
14%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
29%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Crozet

#585

in Virginia

#23,587

Overall
28 Views Last Month
3,875 Since Dec 1, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

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14%
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Photos

Stairs to Big Branch Falls - be warned, these peter out and there's some muddy slip-and-fall risk after this!
Nov 14, 2020 near Crimora, VA
North Fork Moorman's River Trail, saw this guy having a snack, he wouldn't share
Aug 18, 2018 near Crimora, VA
North Fork Moorman's River Trail, family of cairn's
Aug 18, 2018 near Crimora, VA
North Fork Moorman's River Trail one of a few walls covered by greenery.
Aug 18, 2018 near Crimora, VA
North Fork Moorman's River Trail going up stream
Aug 18, 2018 near Crimora, VA
North Fork Moorman's River Trail, Cool outdoor dinning at its finest. Table and chairs. If you find it don't trash it. Leave it as you found it "clean".
Aug 18, 2018 near Crimora, VA

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