Hiking the Appalachian Trail Around Love Ridge
Exploring Hanging Rock, the Three Ridges Wilderness, and the Ascent to The Priest
Weaving up and down the valleys and ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Appalachian Trail around Love Ridge Mountain Lodging offers one of the most breathtaking and challenging hiking experiences on the East Coast.
With the Love Gap access point just half a mile from your cabin or campsite, this section of trail is genuinely at your doorstep. The Three Ridges Wilderness section is renowned for Hanging Rock, the rugged Three Ridges Loop, and the formidable ascent to The Priest from Tyro, offering three distinct experiences that collectively define what it means to hike in the Virginia Blue Ridge.
The Appalachian Trail and Love Ridge: A Historic Connection
Trailhead: Love Gap, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 15.4
Distance: ~4 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: ~1,200 feet
Estimated Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The Appalachian Trail was conceived in 1921 by forester Benton MacKaye and completed in 1937, running 2,198 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The stretch of Appalachian Trail that passes through Nelson County and the Three Ridges Wilderness is among the most celebrated in Virginia featuring remote, challenging, and strikingly beautiful views.
Love Ridge sits at Milepost 16 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, adjacent to the Love Gap trailhead at Milepost 15.4, providing one of the primary access points for this section of the AT. The trail here passes through the Three Ridges Wilderness, a 6,000-acre designated wilderness area managed by the George Washington National Forest. It’s one of the few sections of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia that feels genuinely remote with no road crossings for miles, deep forest, and the kind of silence that takes a few minutes to settle into.
The history of this land runs deep, with ridgelines traveled by Indigenous peoples, early settlers, and Civil War soldiers long before the AT was ever blazed. The Tye River Valley below The Priest was devastated by the great flood of 1969 when Hurricane Camille hit Virginia and ultimately shaped the landscape and the communities that rebuilt along it.
The Three Ridges Wilderness Loop
Trailhead: Love Gap, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 15.4
Distance: ~14 miles loop
Elevation Gain: ~4,000+ feet
Estimated Time: 7-10 hours (full day)
Difficulty: Strenuous
For those seeking a full-day challenge, continue from Hanging Rock to complete the Three Ridges Loop: a 14-mile trek with over 4,000 feet of elevation gain, making it one of the more demanding hikes in Virginia. The route ascends to the top of Three Ridges, then descends via the Mau-Har Trail down to Campbell Creek, passing through rugged terrain, picturesque streams, and several waterfalls along the way.
This section is not for casual hikers. Plan for a full day, bring navigation tools, and let someone know your itinerary before you head out. AllTrails and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy both have current trail condition information worth checking before your trip.
The Ascent from Tyro: The Priest
Trailhead: Tye River Trailhead, Tyro, VA
Distance: ~8 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: ~3,000+ feet
Estimated Time: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
No exploration of this area is complete without tackling The Priest, one of the most famous peaks along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Starting from the small community of Tyro on the banks of the Tye River, the hike is both a physical and mental challenge with a relentless ascent that climbs over 3,000 feet in just a few miles.
The summit of The Priest offers panoramic views that stretch across the landscape in every direction. Look for the rock outcropping near the summit that faces back toward Love Ridge (it’s easily missed, so watch for campsites near the top as your landmark). The Priest Shelter sits just below the summit and provides a welcome rest point.
The descent back to Tyro is equally demanding, requiring careful footing on the steep, rocky path. For those doing a point-to-point hike from Tyro to Love Gap (or the reverse), Love Ridge’s shuttle service makes the logistics simple.
AT Shuttle Service in Nelson County: Plan Your Point-to-Point Hike
One of the most practical things Love Ridge offers hikers and cyclists is flexible shuttle service, so you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics.
Love Ridge offers shuttle service for point-to-point sections of the AT as well as bike rides you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t been able to coordinate. Need a lift from the trailhead to Love Ridge after a long day on the trail? Want to drop a car at one end and get shuttled to the start? We’ve got you covered.
Shuttles start at $15 per trip depending on location. Pre-arrange your shuttle with us and we’ll transport you where you need to go. Please provide at least 48 hours notice so we can plan accordingly.
This is particularly useful for:
- Love Gap to Tyro: hike south through Three Ridges and down to The Priest, shuttle back to Love Ridge
- Tyro to Love Gap: ascend The Priest from the Tye River and finish at Love Gap close to Love Ridge
- Bike shuttles: get dropped at the top of a route and ride back down, or shuttle your bike to a trailhead
- Custom sections: planning a longer AT stretch and need a drop-off or pickup at a specific point
To arrange a shuttle, contact Love Ridge directly at [email protected] or 540-943-7625.
Where to Stay: Lodging Near the Appalachian Trail in Virginia
Finding lodging near the Appalachian Trail in Virginia usually means choosing between a drive-up motel miles from the trailhead or a backcountry shelter with no amenities at all. Love Ridge sits in the gap between those two extremes. Our cabins, campsites, and glamping bell tents sit a half mile from the Love Gap access point on the Blue Ridge Parkway, close enough that you can hike out your door in the morning and be soaking in a hot shower before dinner. Whether you want a cabin with a full kitchen, a quiet tent site, or a furnished glamping tent for something in between, there’s a place to land after a long day on the trail. That proximity matters most for anyone tackling the Three Ridges Wilderness or the climb to The Priest.
Instead of car-camping at a trailhead or driving an hour back to town after a strenuous day, you’re minutes from a real bed, and our shuttle service means you don’t need to leave a second car anywhere to make it work. For AT hikers doing a longer stretch through Nelson County, Love Ridge functions as a basecamp: a place to resupply, rest, and pick the trail back up the next morning without losing a step.
Tips for Hiking This Section of the Appalachian Trail
- Plan for a strenuous hike. The trails around Love Ridge are physically demanding. The Three Ridges Loop and The Priest ascent are not suitable for beginners without proper preparation.
- Work with a local guide. Three Ridges Touring offers guided experiences on this section of trail and can tailor a route for your group’s fitness level and goals.
- Use Love Ridge’s shuttle service. Point-to-point hiking is significantly more satisfying than out-and-back on demanding terrain. Contact us to arrange logistics before your trip.
- Stay hydrated and fueled. These hikes are serious caloric events. Bring more water than you think you need and pack high-energy food. Our DIY Charcuterie Kit makes an easy yet satisfying trail lunch.
- Pack for changing weather. Conditions at elevation in the Blue Ridge can shift quickly. Bring layers, a rain jacket, and be prepared for cooler temperatures at the summits regardless of the forecast at the trailhead.
- Practice Leave No Trace. Pack out everything you pack in, stay on designated trails, and treat the wilderness with the respect it deserves.
- Know your limits. These trails are incredibly rewarding, but they are also serious. Don’t be afraid to turn back if conditions change or the hike becomes more than you bargained for.
Hanging Rock: A Must-See Vista
From Love Ridge, walk the half mile down the Parkway or drive to Love Gap (Milepost 15.4). Take the double-track trail to the Appalachian Trail and continue straight into the Three Ridges Wilderness, where the trail leads to Hanging Rock, a striking outcrop with some of the most dramatic views in the region.
The climb is moderately challenging with steep and rocky sections. As you approach the summit, the dense forest gives way to an open expanse where the rock juts out over the valley, providing an incredible vantage point with views stretching for miles across rolling Blue Ridge terrain.
Hanging Rock is also a prime birdwatching location: hawks and eagles frequently soar overhead, particularly during the autumn hawk migration when thousands of raptors funnel through the ridge each season.
Key Takeaways
- The Appalachian Trail at Love Gap (Milepost 15.4) is half a mile from Love Ridge and provides one of the most direct AT access points of any lodging in Virginia
- The Three Ridges Wilderness section is among the most celebrated and remote stretches of the AT in Virginia: 6,000 acres of George Washington National Forest with no road crossings for miles
- Hanging Rock offers dramatic views and prime hawk migration viewing in autumn
- The Three Ridges Loop is 14 miles with 4,000+ feet of elevation gain; a full-day commitment for fit hikers
- The Priest ascent from Tyro climbs 3,000+ feet in a few miles and is a Virginia AT rite of passage
- Love Ridge offers shuttle service for point-to-point hikers (contact [email protected] to arrange)
FAQ
How close is Love Ridge to the Appalachian Trail?
Love Ridge sits at Milepost 16 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, half a mile from the Love Gap trailhead at Milepost 15.4, which is a primary access point for the Three Ridges Wilderness section of the AT. You can walk from your cabin to the trailhead!
Does Love Ridge offer shuttle service for AT hikers?
Yes, Love Ridge provides shuttle service for point-to-point hiking, allowing you to hike from Love Gap to Tyro (or vice versa) without backtracking or coordinating two vehicles. Contact [email protected] or 540-943-7625 to arrange in advance.
What is the best hike near Love Ridge for beginners?
The walk from Love Gap to Hanging Rock is the most accessible option with moderately challenging yet rewarding views. The Three Ridges Loop and The Priest ascent are both serious undertakings best suited to experienced hikers in good physical condition.
What section of the Appalachian Trail passes near Love Ridge?
The Three Ridges Wilderness section is a designated wilderness area in the George Washington National Forest featuring Hanging Rock, Three Ridges summit, the Mau-Har Trail, and the Tye River Valley. This is one of the most remote and scenic sections of the AT in Virginia.
When is the best time to hike near Love Ridge?
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer the best conditions with moderate temperatures, lower humidity, and spectacular scenery. Fall is especially notable for hawk migration at Hanging Rock and peak foliage on the ridgelines. Summer hiking is possible but plan for early starts to beat afternoon heat.
Can you see hawks from Hanging Rock?
Yes, Hanging Rock is one of the better hawk migration viewing spots in the region. Hundreds of raptors including broad-winged hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, and Cooper’s hawks funnel through the ridge each autumn, typically peaking in September and October.