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Hidden Valley Hike

Hidden Valley in Bath County VA is one more hidden gem in the crown of mid-Atlantic hiking. There are many interconnecting trails in the valley itself, as well as a campground at the Forest Service Hidden Valley Recreation Area. The post-Civil War love story Sommersby was also filmed at Hidden Valley with Richard Gere and Jodi Foster in 1993. Once a year we'll hike this area and spend the weekend in our favorite B&B Gristmill Square just a few miles away. The food and staff are fantastic.

The Topo Hike Trails Map has green, yellow, and red trails that are no longer maintained and now pass through private property. They are listed for reference only and are no longer part of the trail system.

Start out on the blue blazed Cobbler Mountain Trail as it ascends then descends the spur before arriving at a wooden footbridge that crosses Chimney Run in 0.7 miles. Cross the run and continue left on the blue blazed trail as it follows Chimney Run downstream. The trail to the right dead-ends on private property within 0.2 miles.

Follow the blue blazed Cobbler Mountain Trail for 2.0 miles as it winds along the bottom of Cobbler Mountain with Chimney Run to the left before passing through a wetland area and descending to the intersection of the blue blazed Muddy Run Trail. Turn left on the Muddy Run Trail for 0.1 miles where the trail ends at the Hidden Valley Trail and where a small wooded footbridge crosses Muddy Run.

At this point you can take one of two trails back downstream on either side of the Jackson River. For the Jackson River Gorge Trail on the opposite back of Jackson river cross Muddy Run on the footbridge and in another 0.2 miles arrive at a large suspension bridge that crosses Jackson River.

Cross Jackson River on the suspension bridge and turn left on the Jackson River Gorge Trail as it follows Jackson River downstream and arrives at a closed gate in 1.8 miles. Pass the closed gate and turn left on the gravel road and shortly cross Jackson River over a concrete ford. Continue to follow Hidden Valley Road for 1.2 miles. The road will become paved then pass the Hidden Valley GWNF campground on your right before you arrive back at the Cobbler Mountain Trail parking area.

Explore 34 trails near Chimney Run, VA

Know Before You Go

  • Hidden Valley in Bath County, VA, offers a 5.2-mile hike with scenic views and interconnecting trails.
  • The Cobbler Mountain Trail is the primary route, but be aware that some trails marked on older maps are no longer maintained or accessible due to private property.
  • The hike involves crossing Chimney Run and Jackson River (via suspension bridge and ford), with the return portion following a gravel and paved road.
Interactive topographic map for Hidden Valley Hike located in Chimney Run, VA. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
5.2 mi
Difficulty
Easy
Type
Loop
Est. Time
2.6 hrs
Elev. Gain
429'
Rating
3.1
Added
January 27, 2025
Updated
April 04, 2025

Weather Forecast

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Total Change
228'
Ascent
429'
Descent
429'
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Features

Vista / Lookout Point
Dogs
Camping
Water Source

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    38.094005, -79.816217
  2. Main Trailhead

    38.093784, -79.816017

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Hazards

Snakes (Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, others)
Poison Ivy or Poison Oak

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Rated 3.1 out of 5 based on 10 ratings.

Ready to help fellow hikers? Add a trip report to share your experience and provide valuable insights for other hikers!

By: Will H
5.2 miles / 8.4 km
November 09, 2019
Seconding the previous review that the trails are in much better shape than they apparently used to be. We only hiked some of the trails along the river but they were serene, peaceful, and easy to follow. This area is a pleasant oasis and I'm glad to see it is getting some much-needed maintenance to remain a good hidden away hiking spot.
Legacy Review
By: Tom Richardson
5.2 miles / 8.4 km
July 30, 2019
Most of the very 'negative' reviews in this thread are over 2 years old, and are (were) pretty valid for their time frame.....the trails have not been in great shape. But I can happily report that many (if not MOST) of the trails in the Hidden Valley area (near Warm Springs, Va) have been recently 'brushed' and are in much better condition NOW than what these earlier reports would indicate. The USFS guys have been out there this Spring/Summer (2019) and have cleared off the River Loop Trail, the Upper & Lower Lost Woman trails, the Cobbler Mountain trail, and the Jackson River Gorge Trail from the Warwick Mansion (the B&B;) upstream to the swinging bridge, and will probably get the 'rest' of the River Gorge Trail (from the swinging bridge up to Poor Farm area) later this summer, along with Neal's Run (later this summer). Like earlier reviews mentioned, the signage could be better but if you are in the area, please give these trails another try!
Legacy Review
By: WoolfPack
5.2 miles / 8.4 km
July 11, 2017
I should have read the reviews before I went, because the one by HikingJustForFun was spot on: The trail is NOT MAINTAINED. Terribly overgrown, not well marked, and serious danger for poison ivy and snakes. I love hiking, but I felt claustrophobic and desperate at having to push through long stretches of shoulder-high growth. I'll never do this hike again and do not recommend it.
Legacy Review
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

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