Hiking Project Logo

An incredible ridgeline climb of 1800 feet in 3.5 miles to the peak of Mt Trayfoot.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

4.8

Miles

7.8

KM

Point to Point

3,377' 1,029 m

High

1,505' 459 m

Low

1,976' 602 m

Up

485' 148 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (5°)

33%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There is an entrance fee for National Parks.

Description

This incredible ridgeline climb begins at the junction of Paine Run Trail near its western terminus. A couple of switchbacks will lead you up to the beginning of the ridge. Once on the ridge, the trail follows it north while jumping back and forth between the west and east sides. The views from either side are spectacular in the late fall.

The ascent of the ridge is relentless with only a couple sections of switchbacks and even fewer level spots. The trail starts in the valley at around 1,500 feet and the summit of Mt. Tray foot is at around 3,300 feet. You'll reach the peak around the 3.7-mile marker where the trail finally starts to head downhill. The views from the summit may be diminished by tree leaves during spring and summer seasons.

As the trail heads back down, it will cross the trailhead of the Furnace Mountain Trail. The trail will terminate along the base of the Blackrock Peak access. Hikers can either take the Blackrock Spur Trail to the peak or continue around the base to the end of this trail at the connector trail that leads to either the Blackrock Parking lot to the north or the Blackrock Gap Parking lot to the south.

Contacts

Shared By:

Donovan Fitzgerald with improvements by Tara Landry

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 6 votes

#10717

Overall
  4.2 from 6 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
17%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#270

in Virginia

#10,717

Overall
13 Views Last Month
1,602 Since Dec 1, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
29%
0%
71%
0%

Photos

Looking up the rock pile to Blackrock from the viewpoint on Trayfoot Mountain trail underneath Blackrock Summit.
Oct 29, 2022 near Grottoes, VA
Looking towards Trayfoot from the Trayfoot Mountain trail at the viewpoint under Blackrock summit.
Oct 29, 2022 near Grottoes, VA
Looking back to the Trayfoot ridgeline that must be traversed to get here.
Nov 21, 2017 near Grottoes, VA
Expect to find this marker for the Furnace Mountain Trail if accessing it from Skyline Drive.
Jan 30, 2017 near Grottoes, VA
The lack of leaves allow a view from the peak of Mt Trayfoot.
Nov 21, 2017 near Grottoes, VA
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 28, 2020
Jesse Daniels
Jun 23, 2020
Chris W
The views in the summertime are hard to come by with the shrubs/trees blocking visibility. There are some nice large boulders to check out.
Dec 24, 2019
Kimberly Farmer
May 17, 2019
Joy Granados
Hike from black rock on a backpacking loop. 4.8mi — 5h 00m
Jan 20, 2019
Laura Buntemeyer
Super cold super windy. 9.6mi
Aug 24, 2018
Brian Batdorf
Jul 15, 2018
Kate Southworth
Nov 20, 2017
Donovan Fitzgerald
Wow! 3.6 miles from the valley floor to 3000ft+ peak. I rate this the best ridge-line hike in SNP. Greats views all the way up due to fall leaves. 4.8mi
Welcome

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started