The Rockfish Valley TRACK Trail is a flat, 1 mile loop that follows the South Fork of the Rockfish River and Reids Creek. The trail features riparian, field, and bog habitats and offers excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife.
The Rockfish Valley is a special place in Nelson County. It extends from Afton to Brents Gap between the Blue Ridge Mountains through which run the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail and the Ragged Mountains, at the Eastern end of which lies Monticello. The Blue Ridge Mountains are part of the Appalachian chain which continues north to Maine and south to Georgia. The appalachian trail itself is over 2000 miles long. The Ragged Mountains extend from Carter’s Mountain and Monticello to Horseshoe Mountain in the South Rockfish Valley. Horseshoe Mountain connects Three Ridge Mountain in the Blule Ridge chain to the Ragged Mountain line. There is only one highway running from north to south, from Rt 250 in Albemarle County to Rt 29 in Amherst County. The Rockfish Valley is about 15 miles long and the scenery is as spectacular as any in Virginia.
Location Details
Adventures for Rockfish Valley
Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Difficulty:
Rockfish Valley - Geocache Adventure
Difficulty:
Nature's Hide & Seek
Difficulty:
Rockfish Valley - Need for Trees
Difficulty:Directions
Longitude: -78.996688800000
The Rockfish Valley TRACK Trail is located in Nelson County, VA. The TRACK Trail kiosk is adjacent to the Camille Memorial Trailhead, about 2 miles south of Nellysford, on the right just after crossing the Rockfish River on Route 151. Look for the large boulders marking the parking area and trailhead. For Official Directions, click here
From the Blue Ridge Parkway:
Take the Reid’s Gap exit at Milepost 13.5 and head east on Rt. 664 for about 4 miles. Turn left on Rt. 151 and proceed 0.7 miles to the parking area on the left, just before the bridge over the Rockfish River. PLEASE NOTE: During the winter the Parkway is not plowed and is frequently closed. The Parkway is also prone to heavy fog. To check the weather conditions and view live webcams on the Parkway before your trip, visit BRPWeather.com
From Charlottesville:
Take 64 west to the exit for Route 250 at Crozet. Follow 250 west to Route 151 South. For a scenic route, take 250 west from Charlottesville all the way to Rt 151. Follow Route 151 South 14 miles, past Nellysford (which has good options for lunch and dinner). The trail parking lot will be on the right immediately after crossing the Rockfish River Bridge.
Directions to Rockfish Valley Foundation's Natural History Center at Spruce Creek Park
Spruce Creek Park is about 1 mile south of Nellysford on the left, with parking off Glenthorne Loop (Route 627). You can continue about 1/2 a mile down Glenthorne Loop to reach the Glenthorne Trailhead, on your right just after a sharp left bend in the road. Please drive gently along Glenthorne Loop!
NEW Natural History Center Located inside the Old Wintergreen Country Store at 1368 Rockfish Valley Highway, Nellysford, VA 22958. Follow the Directions above to Spruce Creek Park. There is a small parking lot in front of the Natural History Center or you can park in the more spacious parking area on Glenthorne Loop. Hours for the Center are 10 -4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. Phone 434-361-0271
Partners
The TRACK Trail program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.
The Rockfish Valley TRACK Trail was made possible through a partnership formed between the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's Kids in Parks program, The Rockfish Valley Foundation, and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.