Alleghany County Virginia Hiking Trails
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George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
The Children’s Forest trail is an all weather surface
loop trail that begins and ends in the monument area of the National
Children’s Forest. This is a
universally accessible trail with grades of less than 3%. On
April 27, 1971 an arson fire blackened the 1176 acres now known as the
National Children’s Forest. The
area was planted on the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day in April
of 1972 by children from all over the eastern United States.
The names of the children who participated in the
tree planting are stored in a time capsule scheduled to be opened in 2072. There
is also a monument dedicated to the children at the trailhead near the
time capsule.
The trail begins behind the monument and loops
through a small portion of the forest.
Many different plants such as grapevine, blackgum, various oaks and
greenbrier exist in the understory.
The trail overstory is mainly shortleaf pine planted by the children and a
few scattered oaks.
This easy walk should take ten to fifteen minutes to
complete.
Directions:
Children’s Forest trail is located in the National Children’s Forest
off FDR 351.
From Covington take State Route 18 South eight miles.
Turn left on to Route 613.
Follow 613 to end and turn right on to FDR 3511.
The trailhead is on the left behind the Children’s Forest Monument
area.
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