Alleghany County Virginia Hiking Trails
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George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
The 4.0 mile
Oliver Mountain Trail, in northwestern Alleghany County,
connects the southern end of Lake Moomaw at the Fortney Branch Boat Launch with the northeastern
end of Oliver Mountain. The
western half of this trail has been removed from the official trail
system, as it traversed through private land with no legal right-of-way.
From Fortney Branch, the trail briefly winds along the side of the Fortney
Branch drainage before sharply ascending up a loose shale ridge to reach an
old logging road. The trail is
moderately steep, gaining 1000 feet to the intersection with the end of FDR
192. Another 400 feet are gained as
the trail skirts the highest peaks of the northeast end of Oliver Mountain.
On winter days the view is impressive. The
surrounding mountains and valleys are a beautiful backdrop with views north
and south. Lake Moomaw is visible
from points along the upper portion of the trail.
If
you start at Fortney, hike up the Oliver Mountain Trail (4.0
miles), turn left on the Jackson Trail (1.0 mile), turn left on
FDR 192 and return to the Oliver Mountain Trail (1.5 miles), and
walk back down to Fortney (2.1 miles), you have an 8.6-mile
hike.
Another
alternative parking spot is at the end of FDR 192.
Directions:
From Route 220 heading north
from Covington, turn left onto Route 687.
Then turn left onto Route 641/666.
At the Lake Moomaw Recreation Area entrance, keep left onto Route
666. At the “T” intersection,
turn right and go about 0.2 mile.
The trailhead will be on the left, behind a guardrail, about 50
yards before reaching the Fortney Branch parking lot.
Park in this parking lot (there is a fee).
The Oliver Mountain Trail ends at its western terminus where it
intersects with the Jackson Trail. This is reached by turning left at the
above-mentioned “T” intersection and traveling south for about 0.8 mile.
Turn right onto FDR 192 (a gravel road) and travel on a right-of-way
through private land for 0.9 mile.
The Jackson trail will be on the left, uphill side of the parking area on
FDR 192 at the National Forest boundary line, just before a Forest Service
gate.
Walk 0.9 mile on the Jackson Trail to its intersection with the
Oliver Mountain Trail.
Turning right will lead you back 4.0 miles along the Oliver Mountain Trail
to Fortney Branch.
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