Bear Church Rock out and back from Graves Mill

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

This out-and-back day run starts from the Graves Mill Trail parking area, features the Staunton River Trail, and culminates at the Bear Church Rock viewpoint on the Jones Mountain Trail.

No restroom at Graves Mill Trail parking area. Good before/after hike stops are the Sheetz gas station at corner of SR 29 and SR 230, or the Wolftown Mercantile Country Store on SR 230 at 662. Follow 662 from Wolftown on Graves Mill Road, turn right on Graves Road over the one-lane bridge to stay on 662, follow to trailhead at the end of the road. Only 8-10 spaces, with a big mudhole in the middle after rain, usually overflowing on weekends, so a weekday is the best bet for this hike.

This 8-mile out-and-back run makes use of three trails to reach the Bear Church Rock viewpoint. Starting from the parking lot at the trailhead of the Graves Mill Trail at the edge of Shenandoah National Park, the first 0.5 miles along the Rapidan River is the easy warm-up portion. Turn left at the post on the Staunton River Trail, which begins going uphill in an earnest, although still moderate fashion.

Follow the trail for 2.3 miles, enjoying the several water features along the way. Several side tributaries are easily crossed, often dry or muddy, but possibly with one or two rock hops during the wet season. Arriving at the post, turn left on the Jones Mountain Trail, being sure to stop for a water break. To this point I would not rate the difficulty higher than Intermediate.

However, the final 1.2 miles to reach Bear Church Rock are much more difficult than the rest of the run, following a steep uphill singletrack. Along this 1.2 mile stretch, turn left at the first post and bear right at the second post to stay on Jones Mountain Trail (go left at the second post to reach Jones Mountain Cabin). A short access path forks off to the right at 1.2 miles to the rocky viewpoint. The actual summit is 0.2 miles further, but there is no big view there, only a few more rocks.

Enjoy your snack and return the way you came. Allow 4-7 hours for this run, depending on your uphill pace and fitness, and take plenty of water.

Ferns, rhododendron tunnel