Breaks Interstate Park: Difference between revisions

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<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The following trails are available in Breaks Interstate Park.   
The following trails are available in Breaks Interstate Park.   
 
{{Park trail table}}
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Trail
!Miles
!Blaze
!Difficulty
!Usage
|-
|Beaver Pond Trail
|0.4
|Purple
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Campbranch Trail
|0.7
|White
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Center Creek Trail
|0.5
|Purple
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Cold Springs Trail
|0.5
|Yellow
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Deer Trail
|0.5
|Purple
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Geological Trail
|0.35
|White
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Grassy Creek Trail
|0.5
|Yellow
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Grassy Overlook Trail
|0.5
|Green
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Ladies Loop Trail
|0.24
|Gray
|Moderate
|{{Hike}} 
|-
|Lake Trail
|0.5
|Orange
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Laurel Branch Trail
|1.25
|Red
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Loop Trail
|0.4
|Green
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Mountain Bike Trail
|3.0
|Green
|Medium
|{{Hike}} {{Biking}}
|-
|Overlook Trail
|0.75
|Green
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Prospectors' Trail
|1.5
|Orange
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Rattlesnake Trail
|2.5
|Orange
|Medium
|{{Hike}} {{Biking}}
|-
|Ridge Trail
|0.5
|Blue
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|River Trail
|1.0
|Blue
|Difficult
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Tower Tunnel Trail
|0.2
|Yellow
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Towers Overlook Trail
|0.15
|Red
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|}


An interesting roughly 4.5 mile loop hike can be created by combining half dozen trails.  Drive 0.4 mile past the visitor's center to the parking lot for Towers Tunnel Overlook (N37°17.190 W82°18.215).  First, head out 0.2 mile to the Towers Tunnel Overlook to see the railroad cut through the sandstone pillar. Back to the trailhead for the Prospectors' Trail.  Head down for 0.8 mile until River Trail is reached. Switch to the mile long River Trail for closer look at the Russell Fork.  Some of the side trails down to the river are steep (involve rock climbing to get back up). At the south end of River Trail, the path changes names to the Grassy Creek Trail.  Follow the trail up along creek for 0.3 mile until Laurel Branch Trail is reached.  Here is where some energy is going to be spent hiking 0.6 mile back up out of the gorge.  Next, take the Geological Trail up to the parking lot of Stateline Overlook where you can see the second railroad tunnel. Next take the Overlook Trail over to the Clinchfield Overlook. Finally, short piece along the park road back to your vehicle.  Depending on number of stops for photos and rest, the loop should take around three hours to complete.
An interesting roughly 4.5 mile loop hike can be created by combining half dozen trails.  Drive 0.4 mile past the visitor's center to the parking lot for Towers Tunnel Overlook (N37°17.190 W82°18.215).  First, head out 0.2 mile to the Towers Tunnel Overlook to see the railroad cut through the sandstone pillar. Back to the trailhead for the Prospectors' Trail.  Head down for 0.8 mile until River Trail is reached. Switch to the mile long River Trail for closer look at the Russell Fork.  Some of the side trails down to the river are steep (involve rock climbing to get back up). At the south end of River Trail, the path changes names to the Grassy Creek Trail.  Follow the trail up along creek for 0.3 mile until Laurel Branch Trail is reached.  Here is where some energy is going to be spent hiking 0.6 mile back up out of the gorge.  Next, take the Geological Trail up to the parking lot of Stateline Overlook where you can see the second railroad tunnel. Next take the Overlook Trail over to the Clinchfield Overlook. Finally, short piece along the park road back to your vehicle.  Depending on number of stops for photos and rest, the loop should take around three hours to complete.

Revision as of 08:13, 25 November 2019

Breaks Interstate Park
Park Type State Park
Located
External Links Official Website

Official Trail Map

Entrance Fee Unknown
ActivitiesThings to do at the park HikingBoatingBikingGeocachingHorsesFishingClimbing
Park AmenitiesThings built to enjoy or use at the park PoolsRestaurantFast Food GrillSportsPicnickingPlaygrounds
FeaturesNatural things to see at the park WaterfallsVistasRiversLakes
Park Trails

20 Trails / Total of 15.94 miles25.653 km <br />

Lodging Types Lodge/Inn/HotelCabinsCampground
Camping Amenities

Site waterDump station20 amp electrical30 amp electrical50 amp electricalShowersPlaygroundsWi-FiCamp Store

Park Area 4,500 acres18.211 km² <br />
Operated By Breaks Interstate Park Compact
Main Location Map
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Show In Google Maps
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Upload KML

Park Overview

Breaks Interstate Park offers twenty, mostly short, hiking trails covering around 12 miles that can be connected to enjoy various views around the gorge. Suggested loop hike take hits highlights of overlooks and down along the creek for a half day jaunt.

How to get there

From Kingsport:

  1. Take I-81 north to Exit 14 (VA-140/Abingdon).
  2. Turn right/NE onto VA-140 and travel half mile.
  3. Turn right onto W Main St/US11/US19 for just under a mile.
  4. Turn left/norht onto US-19 and travel 29 miles to Rosedale.
  5. Turn left onto VA-80 and continue for 40 miles to park entrance.
  6. There are several parkings lots for the main trails.

GPS address for visitors center 627 Commission Circle Breaks, VA 24607.

Route Description

The following trails are available in Breaks Interstate Park.

Park Trails Distance Difficulty Marking Usage Highlight
Beaver Pond TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.40 mi Easy Purple
Campbranch TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.70 mi Easy White
Center Creek TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Purple
Cold Springs TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Yellow
Deer TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Easy Purple
Geological TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.35 mi Medium White
Grassy Creek TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Yellow
Grassy Overlook TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Green
Ladies Loop TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.24 mi Medium Gray
Lake Trail (Breaks Interstate)This trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Easy Orange
Laurel Branch TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 1.25 mi Medium Red
Loop TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.40 mi Easy Green
Mountain Bike TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 3.00 mi Medium Green
Overlook TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.75 mi Medium Green
Prospectors' TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 1.50 mi Medium Orange
Rattlesnake TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 2.50 mi Medium Orange
Ridge TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Blue
River TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 1.00 mi Medium Blue
Tower Tunnel TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.20 mi Easy Yellow
Towers Overlook TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.15 mi Easy Red

An interesting roughly 4.5 mile loop hike can be created by combining half dozen trails. Drive 0.4 mile past the visitor's center to the parking lot for Towers Tunnel Overlook (N37°17.190 W82°18.215). First, head out 0.2 mile to the Towers Tunnel Overlook to see the railroad cut through the sandstone pillar. Back to the trailhead for the Prospectors' Trail. Head down for 0.8 mile until River Trail is reached. Switch to the mile long River Trail for closer look at the Russell Fork. Some of the side trails down to the river are steep (involve rock climbing to get back up). At the south end of River Trail, the path changes names to the Grassy Creek Trail. Follow the trail up along creek for 0.3 mile until Laurel Branch Trail is reached. Here is where some energy is going to be spent hiking 0.6 mile back up out of the gorge. Next, take the Geological Trail up to the parking lot of Stateline Overlook where you can see the second railroad tunnel. Next take the Overlook Trail over to the Clinchfield Overlook. Finally, short piece along the park road back to your vehicle. Depending on number of stops for photos and rest, the loop should take around three hours to complete.

Typical Conditions

Being a VA/KY state park, the dirt and gravel trails are kept in excellent condition. Some of the trail sections are narrow with steep dropoffs, so pay attention. After rain, some of the dirt trails are reported to be slippery.

Fees, Permits, etc.

Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.

Gallery