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Three Ridges Hike

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Distance:
13.2 Miles / 21.2 km
Type:
Loop
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Time to Hike:
6 hours, ~36 minutes
Features:
Appalachian Trail hike
Surface Type:
Dirt
Park:
George Washington National Forest
Town:
White Rock, Virginia
Directions:
37.901459, -78.985262
Added:
February 17, 2025
Updated:
April 05, 2025
Guide by:
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2,181'

Total Change
4,083'

Ascent
4,082'

Descent

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Three Ridges Hike

Three Ridges is one of Virginia's most popular backpacking circuits. Situated in Central Virginia, just 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville, the hike has vista after vista along the Appalachian Trail, and many small waterfalls and pools on the Mau-Har Trail on Campbell Creek.

From the parking area at Reeds Gap, head south along the white blazed Appalachian Trail (AT) as it initially hugs the left side of a clearing. At the end of the clearing start climbing Meadow Mountain, and in 0.8 miles arrive at the top of the ridge and campsite/overlook.

Continue along the AT as it now heads downhill, and in 0.8 miles arrives at the Maupin Field Shelter, and intersection with the Mau-Har Trail that will be your return route. The shelter is not visible from this intersection, and is 100 yards downhill. Several small trails intertwine this large camping area.

At the intersection remain left, staying on the AT as it passes a small clearing. The AT will now climb and pass over Bee Mountain in 0.5 miles. Descend Bee Mountain, then climb the northern knoll of Three Ridges and arrive at the best vista of the hike.

Continue up the AT as the trail traverses the ridge before reaching the top of the second knoll in 0.8 miles, and view to the northeast. Look for an unblazed side trail on the left marking the overlook and campsite.

The AT now heads downhill from the hike highpoint, and in 0.1 miles stay right a the trail marker. Descend another 0.2 miles before making a switchback to the left. At the switchback there is another overlook. After making the switchback the AT will descend steeply for 0.8 miles, then pass around the left/north side of Chimney Rock. A faint unblazed trail ascends steeply for 25 yards, then passes around the left side of the summit to the Chimney Rock overlook.

Continue downhill on the AT for another 1.8 miles as the trail descends to the right/south of Three Ridges, then arrives at the main camping area and Harpers Creek Shelter.

Turn left downhill on the AT (opposite side of the creek from the shelter). In 0.1 miles the AT will turn right crossing Harpers Creek before heading uphill, and reaching the intersection of the blue blazed Mau-Har Trail in 0.7 miles at a small pass on the ridge.

Turn right on the blue blazed Mau-Har Trail, descend, switchback up the next ridge, then descend again and reach Campbell Creek and large camping area in 1.5 miles. There is a yellow blazed spur trail that leads downstream to a small pool and waterfall in 200 yards.

Continue upstream on the blue blazed Mau-Har Trail as it becomes steeper, crossing Campbell Creek, and making several switchbacks before arriving at Maupin Field Shelter in another 1.9 miles.

There are several trails at the shelter leading to different campsites. Continue straight past the shelter for 150 yards and reach the intersection of the AT you descended earlier.

Turn left on the AT, then in 20 yards stay right remaining on the white blazed AT. Continue uphill on the AT as it passes back over Meadow Mountain, before descending and arriving back at the parking area at Reeds Gap in 1.6 miles.

Explore 34 trails near White Rock, VA
  1. Parking

    37.901459, -78.985262
  2. Main Trailhead

    37.90138, -78.985176
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.

Hazards

Ticks - Lyme Disease More Info (CDC)
Snakes
Poison Ivy/Oak

Seasons

All

Blaze Color

White

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Rated 4.3 out of 5 based on 124 ratings.
By: Brian and Sylvia
13.2 miles / 21.2 km
October 25, 2019
Fantastic Hike, very much lived up to billing Surpassed only by Old Rag on the list of Virginia hikes...definitely an icon. Fall colors very much still in peak on the last weekend in October. We did the loop counter clockwise, unlike most, and found this route to be quite viable. We had no significant issues going up the Mau-Har trail. But either way you do this, be prepared for the fact that there are MAJOR ascents and descents on both days of the hike. Situational notes: The ground bees past Harper's Creek appear to be gone or at least dormant, there is now reliable water at Harper's Creek, but Maupin Field Shelter appears to be dry (and overrun with Boy Scouts.)
Legacy Review
By: Señor
13.2 miles / 21.2 km
October 04, 2019
All around a gorgeous loop: beautiful views all the way in from Reeds to Three Ridges and on down the AT until the junction with the Mau Har. Ample campsites along the way, especially on the AT, though the biggest trade-off there is water: your only water spot coming down is behind the Maupin shelter 1.6 miles in from Reeds, which itself was a trickle (though just enough of an ebb to fill and treat). Otherwise you'll have to wait until the next shelter or the Mau Har, where Campbell creek is flowing with lots of water, including bathing pools. Amazing ecosystem diversity throughout, from the high fern plains on the ridges to the mossy forests with huge trees along the Mau Har. Easy to see why it's so popular only downside is just how many other people were also on a two night loop, thus making competition for campsites inevitable. This is especially true for the Campbell creek spot: lots of folks end up camping here right on top of each other in a relatively tight area, so if you're looking for solitude, it can be a challenge. If you're headed up the Mau Har for your second night, there's a small spot tucked away near the pools below the main area at Cambell, or if you head another mile upstream, another larger site. And speaking of crowds, PSA: IF YOU'RE GOING TO CRAP IN THE WOODS, DO IT RIGHT FFS. Walking 10 feet away from your campsite literally in a creek bed to what seems like a dry area and barely covering it with a tiny rock and some leaves aint it. There were multiple of these all along Campbell creek, including right above one of the pools near the waterfall (apparently the concepts of rain and gravity are difficult to conceptualize for some folks).
Legacy Review
By: Emily
13.2 miles / 21.2 km
September 25, 2019
Nice easy overnight backpacking trip or a substantial day hike. It's a highlight for its proximity from Rockfish Gap. Easy to get to, easy to hike, easy to follow, and nicely rewarding. It's not flat, but the climbs and descents aren't that hard either. On the Mar-Har section there is plenty of water and a nice swimming hole. It's got some really pretty campsites, but in my experience they can get overrun on the weekends. I definitely recommend using this trail as a mid-week option, especially in the fall. ----- Here are some important tips for Sept/Oct 2019: POISON IVY: Know this leaf before you go because it is very abundant and close to the trail. Be careful. ---- LOW WATER LOW WATER LOW WATER: If you're planning on camping at Harper's Creek shelter (really beautiful spot with a shelter or ground camping halfway through the loop) follow these instructions so that you don't have to dry camp: The closest water to Harper's Creek (mi. 7) right now (Sept 2019) is accessible by continuing to hike down the AT past the shelter until the stream crossing - maybe 1/4 mile tops. At the stream crossing follow the dry bed a couple of hundred feet down until you see a small pool of water about 10ft across. Lower yourself down to the mouth of the pool and underneath the stacked boulders you will find a small stream of flowing water that is slow but sufficient enough to collect for filtering or cooking. I don't recommend collecting from the pool itself. From there you can return to the campsite at Harper's Creek or continue the hike. The next available water for filtering is 2.5 miles later on the loop off of the Mar-Har trail once the trail hits the much more plentiful stream.
Legacy Review

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In White Rock, VA

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