Ragged Mountain Hike

No time for a really long hike? Then Ragged Mountain Reservoir just minutes from Charlottesville, will fit the bill. Although there are no Panoramic views as many of our hikes have, there are beautiful views of the reservoir throughout the hike. Ragged Mountain previously was managed by the Ivy Creek Foundation but is now part of the City of Charlottesville Parks. Edgar Allan Poe rambled through these hills while a student at UVA.

Over 4 miles of the trail are shoreline. There are a couple of good climbs but overall this is a fairly easy and pleasant hike.

This hike can be done in either direction. We did it counter-clockwise, with the trail starting just to the right of the kiosk at the end of the parking area. The trails are well signed at intersections and with some blue blazes.

Mile 0.0 - Begin a short tough climb, bear right at the top.
Mile 0.3 - The Round Top Trail intersection is on the right, stay straight on the Ragged Mtn Trail.
Mile 0.6 – Intersection and Mountain Man Statue, bear to the right following sign for Upper Loop Trail
Mile 0.9 – Water Tower, bear to the left of water tower.
Mile 1.1 – Reach intersection with Bear Statue, bear to the right onto Trail.
Mile 1.6 – Eagle Statue, cross small bridge is just beyond the statue.
Mile 2.1 – Upper Loop comes in on the right, stay straight. In less than 100 yards you will see the brick outline of the Sugar Hollow Reservoir pipe tunnel.
Mile 3.3 – Bear left onto the Old Upper Dam Road.
Mile 4.6 – Floating Bridge, I-64 is visible on your right as you cross the bridge.
Mile 4.8 – Intersection with Peninsula Trail, we bypassed this, this trail takes you to the remnants of the old Upper Reservoir Dam. Prior to 2014 there were 2 reservoirs.
Mile 5.8 – Arrive at new dam. Cross dam then cross road to reach trail to return to parking lot.
Mile 6.0 – Parking Lot.

Photo Note: We have left some of the photos from our original 2011 posting of Ragged Mountain prior to the expansion of the reservoir. There are no longer 2 lakes, the upper dam is gone, the upper dam Pump House is gone and the chimney ruins are also gone.