Saint Mary's Trail (Forest Trail #500)

The Saint Mary’s Trail follows the picturesque Saint Mary’s River, a native trout stream in a designated wilderness area. A moderate 4.4-mile out-and-back hike leads to the popular Saint Mary’s waterfall by connecting with the Saint Mary’s Gorge trail (Forest Trail #500B). Portions of the trail are located on old railroad grades and mining roads that follow the stream into the gorge. There are several deep pools in the stream along the route, including at the base of the falls. Be prepared to get your feet wet. There are five stream crossings to reach the falls. Wear sturdy boots for the rocky trail which travels through a gorge. The entire hike is within the Saint Mary’s Wilderness Area.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

Wilderness trails are not marked with blazes

Trail Length: 2.2 miles one-way
Trail Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Connecting Trails: Mine Bank Creek (FT #500C); Saint Mary’s Gorge trail (Forest Trail #500B)
Trail Access Points: Saint Mary’s Trailhead at the end of Saint Mary’s Road (Forest Road 41) is the main access point. The trail can also be accessed via the Mine Bank Creek Trail (FT #500c) at the trailhead along the Blue Ridge Parkway near milemarker 23.
Trail Map: It is recommended that all trail users always carry a reliable map. Saint Mary's Trail (Forest Trail #500) is shown on the National Geographic Trail Map #789 (Lexington/Blue Ridge Mountains). Maps may be purchased at some local District Ranger Stations, at outdoor retail locations or by visiting the National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated website

Trail is open all year

Drinking water is not provided. All water taken from natural sources should be purified before use.

When recreating on Forest Service Lands, follow the safety and outdoor ethics recommendations.
Campfires are prohibited from the parking lot to the falls for 150 feet on either side of the trail.
Camping is prohibited within 500 feet of the parking lot and within 500 feet of the Saint Mary's waterfall.
Wilderness Regulations apply at this recreation area. Group size is limited to 10 people and mechanized equipment, including bicycles, is not permitted.
All visitors should follow Leave No Trace guidelines.

Getting There

Directions

From I-81: Take Exit 205 (Raphine/Steeles Tavern Exit) onto VA 606. Follow VA 606 to Route 11, and turn left (north) onto Route 11. Turn right almost immediately onto Route 56 East toward Vesuvius. After crossing the South River Bridge, turn left onto SR 608. Stay on SR 608 until it takes a 90 degree turn and passes under a railroad trestle. Turn right onto Saint Mary’s Road (Forest Road 41). Follow Forest Road 41 to St. Mary’s trailhead at end of road.