Pinnacles of Dan Trail is a 5.4 mile lightly trafficked out-and-back trail that features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best from April until November.

This is a difficult and potentially dangerous off-trail scramble that requires navigation skills. Do not attempt if you are looking for a regular hike.

This starts at the Dan River Hydro Facility where a permit must be obtained before going beyond the powerhouse. The trail follows the river upstream for about 1/2 mile where it forks. The right fork continues to follow the river while the left-hand fork starts heading almost straight up the mountainside.

Few switchbacks make this a very strenuous hike. Once you have gained the ridge, go right along the crest and continue to the top. Beautiful views of the peaked Pinnacles of Dan, the start of the Dan River, are a sweet reward for your efforts on this extreme hike.

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For permission and release forms please contact the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Ferrum College at 540-365-4370.

A tour may be arranged or for more information and images, go to website at: https://www.ferrum.edu/school-of-undergraduate-studies/projects/dehart-botanical-gardens/

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Park History

I.C. DeHart Memorial Park was named after local resident Isaac “Ike” Dehart. Before becoming a destination for hikers and mountain bike enthusiasts, the land was home to a grist mill and legal distillery. Over the course of his life, Isaac and his brother Joseph built a thriving business that took advantage of Virginia’s rich soil and ran a farm, raised cattle, operated a roller and grist mill, and ran a legal distillery that shipped corn and rye whiskey to markets throughout the state and beyond.

Like all good things, distilleries came to a close in the early part of the twentieth century when prohibition took over the state. The alcohol business gave way to other endeavors, and ultimately, Ike DeHart’s heirs donated the land that is now the park, to Patrick County.

Wetland Area

I.C. DeHart Memorial Park supports a beautiful reclaimed wetland site with a boardwalk and extensive interpretive information. Numerous signs in the area provide information about the insects, reptiles, birds and plants found in the wetland as well as documenting the history of its creation and ongoing community involvement in studying its ecology. The wetland serves as an obvious focus for the wildlife watcher to search the reeds for red-winged blackbirds in summer, swamp sparrows in winter and perhaps a common snipe during migration. The surrounding sports fields support open country species such as eastern bluebird and killdeer, while the bordering woodlands support chickadees, titmice and the occasional red-bellied and downy woodpeckers. Search the wetland in spring and summer for a variety of amphibians including red-spotted newt and perhaps a turtle or water snake. Dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies abound in the varied vegetation.

Mountain Bike Trails

The mountain bike trails at I.C. DeHart Park are a true piedmont style trail system. Almost entirely singletrack, this flowy trail system does have some great rock gardens, moderate climbs, and fun technical trail features scattered throughout the system. There are several signed loops rather than trail names, white loop, blue loop, etc. so be sure to check the map and know your bailout points if you are looking for a shorter ride! Otherwise, enjoy the scenery, remoteness, and fun of Woolwine!

Woolwine East Loop: 8 miles

Woolwine West Loop: 5 miles

The USA Cycling Mountain Bike Virginia State Championships, Bootlegger’s Blitz are held here annually.

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Also, in the springtime to early summer, nearly 200 varieties of wildflowers are visible along the trail area. The rest of the trail is a 7.3-mi ascent back out of the gorge on the return trail. You’ll see tunnels of rhododendron and other thick mountain foliage, a splashing stream, and high open meadows.

The elevations range from 1,700 to 3,572 ft. A few small historic structures are visible along the trail, including a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.

The lower, flat part of this trail is named Rock Castle Creek and includes it’s own parking lot.

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