Hike Goshen Pass

The parking for the trailhead is down an unmarked gravel/dirt road about 1.5 miles upriver from the Virginia Wayside rest area on Route 39 West. You'll see the swing bridge out across the river and the road will be immediately after this on your right. The road goes back about 200 yards to the parking area and to the base of the swing bridge. 

The trails will be white blazed (but you are not on the Appalachian Trail), but they are faded so they're not very easy to see. To start, cross the swing bridge over the Maury River and take a right to begin hiking the trail. Follow the trail as it winds its way beside the river down-stream for 0.8 miles. The trail is over-grown in some places but it is easy to follow. At the intersection (you'll see wooden signs up on a tree), take a left onto the Chambers Ridge Trail. This is the beginning of one of your uphills. In 0.2 miles you'll hike up to a little waterfall on your right. You will continue to hike uphill for 0.4 miles. The trail then levels out as you hike a ridgeline and in 0.5 miles there is a small pond. Hike past the pond and in 0.3 miles you'll reach the intersection of the Little Peak Trail. The wooden sign is laying on the ground. Take a right at this point. You will climb 800 feet in 0.6 miles and you will most likely need to stop and take a few breathers. This part of the trail is very strenuous. At 0.5 miles there is an unmarked outlook of Lake Merriweather. and 0.1 miles after that there is a big outcropping of rocks that you'll need to hike out on (on your right) to take in the views of Goshen Pass and Maury River below. To finish the hike, retrace your footsteps back to the parking lot, taking extra caution on the steep downhills. 

Hunting is allowed on this property and the adjoining Wildlife Management Areas, so be careful and wear orange during hunting season.