Terrapin Mountain Loop

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

This trail features two amazing viewpoints giving views of first the Blue Ridge Parkway and Apple Orchard Mountain, and the second showing off the Peaks of Otter. Coming down the mountain you'll follow a creek with many small cascades, and eventually pass by a 20 foot waterfall near the end of the loop.

The loop starts on a fire road, and you head uphill towards a T junction. Head straight and follow the yellow blazes to run the loop counterclockwise. The trail will then become much narrower and steeper for the next couple miles until you reach the first viewpoint. Continuing up towards the summit you'll reach a Y junction where you turn left to go to the summit. There is an excellent viewpoint just after the summit facing south towards the peaks of otter.

Head back down the mountain and you'll briefly cross onto a fire road before immediately turning left towards the Reed Creek Trail. This portion of the loop features a wet crossing. Turn left onto the Terrapin Mountain Low Road which will immediately feature another wet crossing before heading around the side of Terrapin Mountain. This trail passes by a 20 foot waterfall before coming back to the first T junction in the beginning of the run, where you'll follow the fire road back down to the trailhead parking.