Mills Creek Trail (Forest Trail #518)

Area Status: Open

The Mills Creek Trail is a narrow treadway with switchbacks that wind through blueberry, huckleberry, and mountain laurel thickets, and then follows alongside the Mills Creek stream. This trail is a favorite among mountain bike enthusiasts and endurance athletes who use several area trails for looping adventures.

Trail Open To:

Trail Hiking Bicycle Riding Horse Riding

At a Glance

Fees:	No Fee
Open Season:	Open year round
Usage:	Medium-Heavy
Restrictions:	Standard Forest Service Rules and Regulations apply.
Closest Towns:	Stuarts Draft, VA - AUGUSTA COUNTY
Water:	No drinking water available
Restroom:	None
Operated By:	Glenwood & Pedlar Ranger Districts: 540-291-2188
Information Center:	Trail is located on National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Map #789. It is recommended that all trail users carry a reliable map at all times. Maps may be purchased at some local District Ranger Stations, at outdoor retail locations or by visiting the National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated website.

General Information

Directions:

Trailhead at Bald Mountain Jeep Trail: At the Bald Mountain Overlook, milepost 22 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, turn onto the gravel Forest Service Road #162 (Bald Mountain Jeep Trail). This road is best suited for high clearance vehicles. Continue on this road approximately 1 mile to the trailhead. Mills Creek Trail heads off to the right.

Trailhead on Mount Torry Road (State Route 664): From I-64, take exit 96. At the bottom of the exit, turn south onto State Route 624 to Lyndhurst. At Lyndhurst the road curves slightly and the road changes to Mount Torry Road (State Route 664). Continue on Mount Torry Road which will pass through the community of Sherando. The trailhead is located at the Mount Torry Furnace approximately 2.0 miles from Sherando.

Trailhead at Turkey Pen Road: Follow the directions above towards the Mount Torry Road Trailhead. Approximately 1 mile from the community of Sherando, take a right onto Forest Service Road 42 (Coal Road) and travel along this gravel road about .5 miles to a gated road (Turkey Pen Road 1237) on your left. Hikers, bikers, and horse riders will then need to follow the Turkey Pen Road to its intersection with the Mills Creek Trail.

General Notes:

Trail Length: 6.83 miles
Blazes: Blue
Trail Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Connecting Trails: FT #518A - Mills Creek Dam and FT # 507 - Torry Ridge
Elevation: 3437 feet at the intersection with FR #162 (Bald Mountain Jeep Trail) dropping to 2200 feet at the intersection with the Torry Ridge Trail (FR #507) near VA 664.
Trail Access Points (Approximate LAT/LONG):
- Bald Mountain Jeep Trailhead: LAT 37.917553 LONG -79.062522
- Mount Torry Furnace Trailhead: LAT 37.945604 LONG -78.96416
- Lat/Long Conversion Table
Trail Etiquette: Trail etiquette for multiple use trails calls for horses to have the right-of-way. Hikers should yield to horses. Bicyclists should yield to horses and hikers. Horse riders are responsible for the control of their horse at all times.