Tackle Douthat’s premier backcountry adventure on this challenging 7-mile loop that links five of the park’s finest trails—Beard’s Gap, Mountain Top, Mountain Side, Buck Hollow, and Wilson Creek. This route showcases the park’s incredible diversity, from dense rhododendron thickets to open ridgeline views, creek valleys to mountain peaks. The challenging terrain attracts both hikers seeking solitude and mountain bikers who return annually for the Middle Mountain Momma race, one of Virginia’s most respected mountain biking events. Prepare for serious elevation gain and several hours of demanding but deeply rewarding wilderness immersion.
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