Fern Hollow Loop

This trail is called the Fern Hollow Loop, a 3.7 mile loop blazed green and rated as "moderate". The trailhead for this loop starts just before the train tracks at the end of Beverley Mill Drive at the Virginia Outdoors Foundation Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve information kiosk. Passing through several plant communities, this trail provides an opportunity to delve into the varying natural habitat types that are found within the preserve--from the mountain laurel-covered ridges to the beautiful low-lying seeps, including the locally treasured section of habitat known as Fern Hollow. This trail is dotted with a myriad of historic features-- including the upper mill and meadowlands ruins, ice house structure, Corum House, and LJ cemetery. The western portion of this trail also offers a beautiful view of the Chapman Mill and Thoroughfare Gap and provides a glimpse into the face of the natural quarry line that served as an entrenchment during the American Civil War.