Beards Gap Trail, Mountain Top Trail, Mountain Side Trail and Wilson Creek Trail

This ~10 km (6.2 mi) circuit strings together Beards Gap Trail, Mountain Top Trail, Mountain Side Trail, and Wilson Creek Trail for a steady, ridge-and-hollow workout with about 400 m (1,300–1,700 ft) of climbing depending on the exact connectors you take at the intersections. It’s a medium effort: sustained uphill early, rolling ridge walking in the middle, then a longer descent back toward the developed lake/lodge area. (myhikes.org)

The hike begins at the Douthat State Park Visitor Center area—the nearest reliable “address” to use for navigation is Douthat State Park, 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, VA 24460. (dcr.virginia.gov)

Getting to the start (car + public transport options)

By car:
From I-64, use Exit 27 near Clifton Forge, turn north onto VA-629 (Douthat State Park Road), then continue past the park entrance toward the main facilities/visitor center area. Parking is typically in the main day-use lots near the visitor center/lake complex. (dcr.virginia.gov)

By public transport:
There’s no practical “last-mile” transit into the park itself; the area is rural and service is limited. The most workable approach is train/bus to Clifton Forge or Covington, then a taxi/rideshare the rest of the way (availability can be inconsistent—plan ahead and pre-book if possible). (rome2rio.com)

What the route feels like, section by section

0.0–1.8 km (0.0–1.1 mi): Beards Gap Trail—steady climb through the gap
From the visitor center area, pick up Beards Gap Trail and settle into a consistent uphill. Expect a classic Allegheny hardwood feel—oak/hickory with mixed pine in places—plus a few tighter turns as the trail uses switchbacks to gain the ridge efficiently. This opening climb is where you’ll earn most of the day’s elevation early, so it’s a good place to keep your pace conservative. (myhikes.org)

Navigation note: there are multiple trail junctions in this system; have the route loaded in HiiKER and confirm blazes/signs at each intersection before committing. (myhikes.org)

Ridge walking + viewpoints (Mountain Top Trail)

1.8–4.8 km (1.1–3.0 mi): Mountain Top Trail—ridge travel and first lake looks
At the ridge junction, you’ll transition onto Mountain Top Trail and continue climbing more gradually along the spine. This is where the hike starts to “open up” with intermittent peeks toward Douthat Lake—not constant panoramas, but several worthwhile windows through the trees. One spur/overlook path in this area may be signed closed; stay on the main blazed route rather than forcing a blocked side path. (myhikes.org)

You’ll reach the circuit’s high area around the mid-hike. The tread can feel a bit steeper in short bursts here, and leaf litter can