Editing Purchase Ridge

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-->{{Infobox Trail
 | Image Name = NTSP - Purchase Ridge Overlook.JPG
 | Park = Natural Tunnel State Park
 | City = Duffield
 | State = Virginia
 | Marking = Brown
 | Trail Use = {{ATV‎}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}}
 | Difficulty Rating = Easy
 | Hike Time = 60 Min
 | Round Trip Distance = 3.26 Mi
 | Trail Distance = 1.95 Mi
 | Trail Type = In-and-Out
 | Elevation Gain = 793 Ft
 | Elevation Loss = -548 Ft
 | High Point = 2,146 Ft
 | Parking coords = 36.70278,-82.73775
 | Trailhead coords = 36.703399,-82.739071
 | Medical = Kingsport, TN
}}<!-- 

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 | Updated KML = 
 | Detail route description = Yes
 | Photos = Yes
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 | Comment = 
 | Date reviewed = 11/1/2015
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== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter an overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Located in [[Natural Tunnel State Park]]. A couple mile hike from the campground to an overlook viewing the valley with the railroad tunnel.  

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Kingsport, TN
#Take Highway US-23 north into Virginia for 18 miles. 
#At park sign, turn right onto State Route 871 for bit over a mile.   
#At Hampton, stay on US19E as it veers right.
#Veer right at State Route 646 until reaching park entrance. 
#Continue to just past the camp store on right to find the main trailhead. 

There appears to be multiple trail access points.  This main trailhead is between the camp store and Cove View campground area, and intersects with the [[Gorge Ridge Trail]]. From the cabins area, take the short connectors [[Buck Rub Trail]] or [[Cabin Trail]].

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Are there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The main 2.1 miles of trail wanders up and around the summit. The path has been improved in recent years with several switchbacks to eliminate straight up the hill approaches.  It also has a couple of benches at intersections with the access trails.

Once up the hill, there a small shelter (useful during the cold rain) and bench on the loop. Take a right (counter-clockwise) to reach the wood overlook structure on the northwest side.  A slot in the forest has been cut to give a view down to the main tunnel.  If your timing is great, then a train will be coming through the tunnel.

Continue around the loop to reach the junction for the main trail to return back to trailhead.  Alternatively, take the short [[Cabin Trail]] over to the roadway for the walk back.  This latter makes an easy 3.25 mile total distance.

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Hard packed dirt - shared with bikes, so be alert.  A walk through hardwood forest, so come in the spring for wildflowers and fall for the leaf color.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends. Bring exact change.

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
Visit the camp store for ice cream or a soda.  Check out the park visitors center.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. -->

== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<display_map center="36.6985,-82.738" type="terrain" zoom="15" height="500" width="auto" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Natural_Tunnel_SP_-_Purchase_Ridge_Trail.kml,
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Natural_Tunnel_SP_-_Cabin_Trail.kml">

36.70278,-82.73775~Parking at campground trailhead~ ~MarkerA.png
36.69385,-82.7449~Overlook~[[Image:NTSP - Purchase Ridge Overlook2.JPG|150px]]~MarkerE.png
36.69775,-82.73943~ ~ ~MarkerK.png
36.69663,-82.73845~0.5 Mile Marker and Bench~ ~MarkerK.png
36.69512,-82.74073~ ~ ~MarkerK.png
</display_map>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
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Image:placeholder1.jpg
Image:Placeholder2.JPG|
Image:
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</gallery>

<!-- Categories -->
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Overlook]] [[Category:Easy]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]]