Length	Difficulty	Streams	Views	Solitude	Camping
7.1 mls
Hiking Time: Elev. Gain: Links: Resources:	3.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch 1,292 ft Virginia State Parks - Sky Meadows Topo Hike Trails Map (PDF) Paris Weather Forecast Garmin (GDB), Gaia/Trails App (GPX) (What's this?) 3D View of Route
From:	Get Directions Park at the Mount Bleak House $10 park entrance fee. 38.99144, -77.96591
	Hike Trails Map

With a large picnic area and many interconnecting trails, including the newer James Ball, Corporal Morgan, and Hadows trails, Sky Meadows Park has become a popular destination for families and more experienced hikers alike. The lower trials pass through rolling fields and cross babbling brooks, with the upper trails above Bleak House providing spectacular views of the Piedmont.

The 7.1 mile circuit hike we describe here takes you through the lower trails and pastures along several creeks, then heads uphill on the South Ridge to the North Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail (AT). The meadows in this section of the circuit are similar to the high meadows found on Cold Mountain in the southwestern part of Virginia. Finally descend back towards the parking area and pass the Piedmont Overlook, the best vista of the circuit.

Also make sure to check out the many events the park has to offer. From astronomy, to hikes and camp outs, Sky Meadows has something for everyone!

• Mile 0.0 - From the parking area pass the information kiosk on the paved path towards the Park Office. 50ft before the Park Office turn right onto the green blazed continuation of the Boston Mill Road. Follow the trail next to a large field where the trail turns right then terminates where the pink blazed James Ball Trail begins.
• Mile 0.25 - Continue on the James Ball Trails passing a view of one of the valley ponds near Paris, then climb a small rise through the trees and emerge in another field. The trail will now descend before passing through the main picnic area at Sky Meadows Park. The picnic area has many picnic tables and charcoal barbecues that are available on a first come first served basis. The shelter barbecue area needs to be reserved. Stay to the left of the picnic area passing a pine tree stand where the James Ball trail continues on the opposite side of the service road. Continue on the pink blazed James ball Trail for another 0.1 miles where the trail terminates with the brown blazed Corporal Morgan Trail.
• Mile 1.15 - Turn right on the brown blazed Corporal Morgan Trail as it winds around the east end of the large picnic area. Shortly arrive at a Trail Marker and stay left on the brown blazed trail. Cross a small creek then the brown blazed Corporal Morgan Trail turns right, and the tiel blazed Hadow Trail turns left.
• Mile 1.4 - Turn left onto the tiel blazed Hadow Trail passing another large field with views to the east. In 0.2 miles cross the main Sky Meadows Park access road just inside the park entrance. After crossing the road, the Hadow Trail continues along a small stream with another nice bench with views back to Bleak House. Stay on the trail as it gently climbs to the gravel Boston Mill Road where the Hadow Trail ends. (the orange blazed Gap Trail starts on the other side of the road)
• Mile 2.25 - Turn left on the Boston Mill Road for 0.1 miles where the gravel road turns right into a field and continues as the South Ridge Trail. After Turning right stay straight on the gravel road for another 75 yards to the next trail marker at which point the yellow blazed South Ridge Trail turns left uphill. (straight for another 0.3 miles on the gravel road is a camping area, equipped with 12 pad sites)
• Mile 2.4 - Turn left uphill on the yellow blazed South Ridge Trail passing an overlook. In 0.1 miles pass homestead ruins where the trail becomes steeper before arriving at a clearing and another overlook. Continue uphill into a more heavily wooded area on the South Ridge Trail, then in 1.0 miles reach the intersection of the North Ridge trail.
• Mile 4.0 - Turn left uphill on the blue blazed North Ridge Trail for 0.3 miles to the ridge and intersection of the white blazed Appalachian Trail (AT).
• Mile 4.3 - Turn right north on the AT and and pass the intersection of the purple blazed Old Trail. Stay straight on the AT, cross a pipeline clear cut then pass through a livestock gate. The AT will now gently descend to the intersection of the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail and arrive at the mountain meadows.
• Mile 5.1 - Stay right on to the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail as it descends through the meadows, then renters the forest in 0.8 miles. Pass through a wooded area, cross the pipeline clear cut where the trail turns right, then descend steeply for 0.1 miles to the intersection of the North Ridge Trail.
• Mile 6.2 - Turn left on the North Ridge Trail for 75 yards to the intersection of the Piedmont Overlook Trail. Turn left on the Piedmont Overlook Trail for 0.1 miles yards then cross a fence stile into an open field with a panoramic view of the Piedmont Valley. Continue down the trail for the remaining 0.8 miles back to Boston Mill Road, then turn left following the short distance back to Mount Bleak House and the parking area.
• Mile 7.1 - Arrive back a the parking area.

Virginia State Parks, Sky Meadows State Park Guide:

In 1731, James Ball purchased from Lord Fairfax a 7,883-acre tract on the east side of the Blue Ridge, south of Ashby’s Gap. Ball died in 1754, and his land was divided among his daughter and five grandsons. John Edmonds purchased James Ball’s land from one of Ball’s grandsons in 1780. Edmonds then built a 1 1/2. story house, which still stands. He died in 1798, and his land was divided among his five children. Sons Elias and George sold most of their inherited land to Isaac Settle, respected postmaster and tavern-keeper in the nearby village of Paris. In 1812, Isaac Settle built a large brick house and named it “Belle Grove” (located just south of the park) where he and his wife Mary raised three children. In 1842, he sold the Belle Grove farm to his son-in-law Lewis Edmonds, who, a year later, sold 148 acres to Isaac’s son Abner Settle. On his new farm, Abner built the stone portion of what is now the "Mount Bleak” house. By 1850, he had added the frame portion of the house to accommodate himself, wife Mary, their six children, and his father. By 1862, five more children were born to the Settles.

In 1866, because of declining health, Abner Settle sold the Mount Bleak farm to Thomas Glascock. Glascock sold the property in 1868 to George M. Slater, who had been a member of Mosby’s Rangers during the Civil War. Slater and his son owned the farm until they both died in 1923. During the following decades, the land changed hands several times. In 1966 a housing development was planned and the property was divided into 50-acre lots. This scenic area was saved through the actions of Paul Mellon. Virginia State Parks received the 1,132-acre farm as a gift from Mr. Mellon in 1975. After building facilities to accommodate the public, the Commonwealth opened Sky Meadows State Park in 1983.