Hunkerson Gap Hike
Just north of Orkney Springs, Virginia, Hunkerson Gap is one of the least visited areas in the Great North Mountain trail system. This out-and-back hike to the gap has two separate sections. The first half, from VA 610 up to and including the walk along the forestry road, has a gentle incline. Once you leave the forestry road, the final 1.2 miles to Hunkerson Gap gets increasingly steep. There are views of the valley higher on the mountain, as well as obscured views through the trees just south of Hunkerson Gap on the Church Rock Trail.-
Mile 0.0 - From the small parking pull out on VA 610 head up the blue blazed Hunkerson Gap Trail as it passes through a relatively flat area. At mile 0.55 there is a small gully where the trail makes a sharp turn to the left. This section of the Hunkerson Gap Trail, before it joins the forestry road, is blazed both white and blue.
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Mile 0.6 - Turn right uphill on the blue blazed Hunkerson Gap Trail/forestry road. There are several sink holes on the right side of the road 0.6 miles from turning onto the forestry road. These sink holes are formed when the limestone below is dissolved by groundwater, causing caverns and surface depressions to develop. The Great North Mountain area has a high concentration of limestone. Do not walk into the sink holes as the cavern ceilings can collapse.
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Mile 1.7 - Turn left uphill where the blue blazed Hunkerson Gap Trail leaves the forestry road. From this point the trail becomes increasingly steeper, and 0.9 miles from leaving the forestry road there is a rock formation on the right side of the trail. From the top of these rocks there is a view of the valley towards Orkney Springs. Continue on the Hunkerson Gap Trail for another 0.2 miles to the ridge.
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Mile 2.8 - Arrive at the 4-way intersection with the yellow blazed Church Rock Trail on the left and orange blazed North Mountain Trail on the right. The Hunkerson Gap Trail continues downhill on the western side of the mountain. Turn left/south on the yellow blazed Church Rock Trail for 0.1 miles.
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Mile 2.9 - There is a small more open area with limited views to the east. This is the hike turn around point. Retrace your route to return. The Church Rock Trail continues to the south and connects with the Church Rock hike.
- Mile 5.8 - Arrive back at the parking pull out on VA 610.
