Saint Mary's Wilderness is located in the Blue Ridge Mountain Range and is the largest Virginia wilderness on national forest land with over 10,000 acres to explore. Hiking along the trails you will find elevations ranging from 1,700 feet to 3,600 feet. Cellar Mountain is the tallest peak in the wilderness and is about 3,645 feet above sea level. Saint Mary's Wilderness offers an amazing view from just about anywhere you are, but may be best know for the water falls along the Saint Mary's river. Cellar Hollow, Spy Run, Sugartree Branch, Mine Bank Creek, and Chimney Branch drain off the mountains into the Saint Mary's river and flow west out of the wilderness. Along this gorgeous hike you will see crystal clear water drain into deep pools of blue and green with twisted mountain laurel encroaching cliff edges and overhangs. Hemlock, pine, and oak trees burst out through the mountain rocks. Trees buttress and bend adapting to the rugged environment of the Saint Mary's flood plain. Along the river you can fish for trout, walk through rhododendron thickets, climb cliffs and discover several popular waterfalls. The area was mined for iron ore and manganese until the mid-1900s. Evidence of this remains today. Rocks and ruins from the mining activity can be seen along the river in several spots. The old mine sites are flat and level, which often make for a good campsite destination. Others may prefer to backcountry camp, with many options available. Trails There are roughly 17 miles to cover on five trails. Click here to view a USGS MAP with trails and lables. I used the National Geographic Mid-Atlantic TOPO! USA to create the maps and calculate distances. Saint Mary's Trail - is the central trail of the wilderness and is adjacent to the Saint Mary's river. A rugged and overgrown path exists on either side of the river. As you head upstream you find several waterfalls, and pools to swim in. Look up the canyon and you will see cliffs jutting out of rock slides staggered with wind blown pine tree struggling for a sturdy spot to grow. After you pass the third mine the trail begins to gain elevation and ascend to the top of Big Levels. When you reach the east side of the trail you will have come to the intersection with the Big Levels trail (just after passing Green Pond). Cellar Mountain Trail - is a great hike to start at the bottom of the mountain along Coal road. Hike this trail to reach the higest peak in the wilderness. You will gain an elevation of about 1,600 feet in about 1.7 miles. The forest is composed of Hardwoods including Virginia Pine, Chestnut Oak, Black Cherry, and Red Maple. Mountain Ivy, and Azaleas dominate the shrub layer, leaving a little room for the mosses and ferns to grow in the moist shady spots. This somewhat strenuous but rewarding hike provides an exelent view to the south from the top of Cellar Mountain, and is well worth the effort. Big Levels Trail - is a jeep road and is an easy quick hike. If you decide to drive down this road be prepared for the worst. Although this road may not be bad for a 4x4 jeep it can be a little tricky for a rear wheel pick up. There are several primitive camp sites along the road. Water is scarce, so be prepared. Bald Mountain Trail - runs along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The hike can be started from the Slacks Overlook parking lot, and finished at Fork Mountain Overlook parking lot. Bald Mountain trail is peacful and offers an exellent view of Bald Mountain from Torry Ridge. Mine Bank Trail - runs along Mine Bank Creek and intersects the Saint Mary's trail to the north. Along the path you will see a few small waterfalls and several cliffs to climb on either side of the creek. I would consider this trail an easy to moderate hike and can be accomplished as a day trip from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Most people use this trail to visit the Saint Mary's Falls, thus making a 9.7 mile round trip.

Gallery Photos Bald Mountain and Mine Bank Trail Mine Bank Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway Saint Mary's Trail Sugartree Branch Green Pond and Saint Mary's Trial east of falls Sugartree Branch, Saint Mary's river, and Little Mary's Creek Cellar Mountain Trail, and Big Levels to Green Pond