Meadow Spring Trail — Attraction in Luray

I used this trail for quicker access to Mary's Rock. It's much shorter than coming from the other end, and it's a well-defined walk. Most of the trail is sheltered, and it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to return. Also, less touristy.

At the start, the trail is only partially sheltered and quite steep. But don't worry, there's a lovely stretch of flat and slow incline that gives you a break. It's short, though, because soon you'll be climbing again. But once you turn right towards Mary's Rock, you'll start the final climb, reaching the walk's highest point. Then, there's a slow descent until you reach the turn-off to Mary's Rock, which offers a spectacular view. Yes, the last stretch is uphill, but it's worth it.

Overall, the climb, although steep in parts, isn't too difficult. The second half is well-shaded until the final push to Mary's Rock.

There is no bathroom facility at the nearby car park. The closest is North to here after the tunnel at the Mary's Rock...

I hike a lot in the winter, and this is a great place to start from. Get yourself a Potomac Appalachian Trail C.lub map, central portion, and you will be able to devise multiple 6 to 15 mile hikes, from moderate to somewhat difficult. There is a lot of water around right now (11/30/18), so waterproof boots are almost essential. My guess is that they will be necessary for the next couple of weeks, even if we have no precipitation. Brook trout fishing on the hazel river and its tributaries (catch and release only) and on Buck Run is available from this trailhead. Fishable water is less than 2 miles...

Well I went looking for a waterfall and some cave but ended up hopping on the buck hollow trail that takes you to buck ridge trailhead so instead of going to buck ridge I made a right to go up to hazel mountain and realized that there was 1000 feet of elevation and some massive stairs going straight up. All in all I enjoy my hike because I ended up doing 10.2 miles doing the whole loop and still making it to the falls and back it might be more miles than what I expected. So 10.2 plus 3.6 is 13. 8 miles of hiking in 5...