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A gem of a run with a waterfall and beautiful overlooks!


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Map Key

8.6

Miles

13.8

KM

78%

Runnable

3,448' 1,051 m

High

1,651' 503 m

Low

2,239' 682 m

Up

2,237' 682 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

40%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Cave · Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Overview

This is a mildly technical trail that features a beautiful waterfall, a large cave with incredible sand, and incredible sandstone rock overlooks.

Need to Know

There may be horses on parts of this trail.

Description

The trail starts at Civic Park in Ewing, VA, crosses into Cumberland Gap National Historic park, and begins as three miles of doubletrack that climbs about 2,000 feet through a series of switchbacks. There are several great vistas along the way, and you'll have several views of White Rocks up above the trail.

Continue past the hikers only trail at 2.5 miles; you'll come down this way to wrap up the lollipop after White Rocks. At approximately 4 miles, you'll come to a trail junction with a trail to the Hensley Settlement to the left and the trail to White Rocks/Sand Cave to the right.

Take this right, and then bear left down the trail to Sand Cave. In the winter, this may be icy. When there's been ample precipitation, the waterfall next to the cave is pretty. If it's been dry, it may only be a trickle. Take a few minutes to explore the vastness of this cave.

After exploring the cave, run back up to the trail and bear left at the junction. At about 5.5 miles, you'll pass a horse barricade with a sign pointing to the Ewing Trail. Continue past this to visit White Rocks. Scramble up to the top of White Rocks and enjoy the view of the valley below.

Run back to the aforementioned trail to a fun descent back to the Ewing Trail. Be careful on this connector trail as many of the rock steps are a little loose. At the Ewing Trail, take a left and enjoy the pleasant descent back to the trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

Lots of rhododendrons, mountain laurels, oaks and maples. Several species of ferns. Birds and squirrels.

Contacts

Shared By:

Ben King with improvements by Jean-Claude Linossi

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 10 votes

#839

Overall
  4.6 from 10 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#31

in Virginia

#839

Overall
44 Views Last Month
25,142 Since Jan 21, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

View from inside the Sand Cave.
Jan 22, 2017 near Loyall, KY
Sand cave
Dec 3, 2019 near Loyall, KY
View from White Rocks of southwestern Virginia.
Apr 26, 2017 near unknown, unknown
Sand cave
Dec 3, 2019 near Loyall, KY

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