High Knob & Brandywine Recreation Area Hike
The Brandywine Recreation Area, on the border of Virginia and West Virginia, has two totally different hikes within its borders. The strenuous High Knob hike up to a spectacular 360° view at the fire tower, and the Saw Mill loop which is an easy 3.7 mile walk along two of the areas creeks.The Brandywine Recreation area is a perfect spot to go for the weekend. With a man made beach on Brandywine Lake plus 32 campsites, clean bathrooms and hot showers, and potable water throughout the camping area. Also, if you come with a large group there is a group/overflow camping spot with picnic tables and fire rings at the back of the main camping facilities. Please Note: Both hikes are rated for camping because of the camping facilities at the Brandywine Recreation Area, not for campsites on the trails.
Note: The High Knob Tower can also be hiked directly from US33 as an easy 2.9 mile/600ft gain.
High Knob Tower:
This hike is rated strenuous because of the steep grade of the trail. The trail does not make any switchbacks on its 2.9 mile climb to the fire tower.
The High Knob trail starts at the right front of the Group Campground. Start up the yellow blazed High Knob trail as it steeply climbs for the first 0.2 miles before becoming an easier grade along the ridge. The trail will again become very steep for the last 0.5 miles then reach the intersection of the Shenandoah Mountain Trail.
At the intersection of the Shenandoah Mountain Trail continue straight on the High Knob Trail for another 0.2 miles where the yellow blazed High Knob trail turns right and follows a fire road for 0.1 miles. The trail then leaves the fire road and turning left uphill. In 200 yards the trail will join another fire road for the remaining 0.2 miles to the ridge and fire tower.
Climb to the lookout platform on the fire tower for a spectacular 360° panorama into Virginia and West Virginia. To return retrace your route.
Saw Mill Loop:
The Saw Loop is an easy walk in the woods compared to
the hard climb up to High Knob. There are several open wildlife
clearings as well as two seasonal creeks.
From the back loop of the campground follow the yellow blazed Saw Mill Loop trail for 0.3 miles to the beginning of the loop portion of the hike. From here turn right and follow the loop 3.1 miles back to the same point. On the first part of the loop Hawes Creek is on your left, then cross a small ridge on the back side of the loop and follow a feeder stream back to the beginning of the loop before turning right for the 0.3 miles back to the hike start point.
