House Mountain Reserve
House Mountain is an iconic landmark in Rockbridge County comprising two peaks known as Big House and Little House Mountain within the 968-acre House Mountain Reserve. Convenient to downtown Lexington, the House Mountain hikes begin in a rural residential neighborhood seven miles from downtown. There is a parking area on Saddle Ridge Rd. From the parking area it is about 2.5 miles to the grassy meadow between the two peaks, known as the saddle. Trails from the saddle lead to various viewpoints atop both peaks. A round-trip hike can range from 5 miles to more than 10 miles depending on your turn-around point.
**There are three trails on House Mountain: The Saddle Trail, Big House Trail and Little House Trail. **
Saddle Trail (1)
Distance: 2.5 miles (One Way)
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Time: 1.5 hours
Elevation Change: 1005 feet
Highlights: This is a nice, forested walk, on an old road to the saddle of House Mountain and the beautiful meadow located between these two iconic Rockbridge peaks. It is a great place for a picnic. There is a privy and shelter on the left when climbing Big House Mountain. There is also a cool running spring near the shelter
Driving Distance/Time: 7miles/20 minutes*
*from Lexington Visitor Center, 106 E. Washington St.
Directions From the Lexington Visitor Center, turn right on East Washington Street. Turn left at the third light onto Jefferson Street. Proceed one block and turn right onto West Nelson Street. There is a light at this intersection. Travel 3.3 miles to Jacktown Road (CR 641) and turn left. Travel 3.4 miles and turn right on Saddle Ridge Road (CR 643) Proceed 0.25 miles to a small parking area. Please remember to be respectful of mailboxes and driveways when parking. Do not park in the circle or on the road past the kiosk.
Trail Description: There is an information kiosk at the trailhead. The trail begins on the road to the right of the kiosk. After 0.1 mile the road forks, take the right fork. About 0.25 miles from the fork, the road bends right and about 100 yards later it bends left. After this left bend, there is an excellent view across the Shenandoah Valley to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Approximately 0.5 miles from the parking area there is a gate. Beyond the gate the road becomes more rugged. There is a fork not too far from this gate. Take the right fork. The climb from the road to this point is not difficult but it is steady. Just past the fork is a flat section which passes through a forest of Red maple and Yellow poplar as well as the remains of a small rock fence.
After the flat area the grade becomes moderate and the trail splits. It is best to bear to the right. However, one can go on either way as they come together after about 0.1 miles. At approximately 1.0 mile, the trail passes through a wet area filled with Muscatine grape vines and Wineberry canes. There is also an old chimney site in this location.
The trail then passes under an area of large Red oak, White oak, and Sugar maple. These trees, at approximately 1.25 miles, mark the first real descent since the beginning of the trail. The road bends to the left and begins to climb again. About 1.5 miles the road bends right and straightens out. This marks the final climb into the saddle.
The saddle is a large open grassy area. There are many old apple trees located in the saddle. Upon entering the saddle, the mountain to the right is Little House Mountain with an elevation of 3386 feet. The mountain to the left is Big House Mountain with an elevation of 3645 feet.
Insider's Tips: Grab a sandwich at Legendary Eats in downtown Lexington for a picnic at the saddle or at the summit of one of the mountains!
Big House Mountain Trail (2)
Distance: 0.85 Miles to summit (One Way)
0.65 Miles to the south end of the mountain (One Way)
1.3 Miles to the North end of the mountain (One Way)
Difficulty: Difficult
Hike Time: 1.25 hours
Elevation Change: 845 feet
Highlights: This is a road walk to the summit of Big House Mountain. While the road is steep the views at the end of the hike are worth the effort. At the southern end of the mountain offers a great view of North Mountain and places to the south. The northern end of the mountain offers a wide-open view of the Great Valley. There is a privy and shelter on the left when climbing Big House Mountain. There is also a cool running spring near the shelter.
Driving Distance/Time: 7miles/20 minutes*
*from Lexington Visitor Center, 106 E. Washington St.
Trail Description: To reach the top of Big House Mountain, bear left at the Kiosk and follow the old road past the shelter. At the shelter, there is also a privy. There is a trail to a spring about 0.25 miles beyond the shelter. To reach the spring, walk past the shelter and the privy and follow the blue blazes. The trail mainly contours along the north slope of the mountain. The trail to the top is steep so it is recommended to fill up with water at the shelter. Remember to treat all water before drinking.
The trail to the top passes left of the shelter when facing Big House Mountain. The trail follows an old road. The climb to the top is very steep and difficult so rest often. After about 0.4 miles the trail makes a hard right turn. The elevation at the bend is approximately 3350 feet.
To go to the south end of the mountain continue straight and begin climbing the mountain on a narrow path marked with blue blaze. The trail climbs steeply up the side of the mountain. Near the top it levels out. The elevation is approximately 3450 feet. A left leads to a rock outcrop and a great view of Short Hills and North Mountain. The Blue Ridge Mountains, Peaks of Otter, and Apple Orchard Mountain can be seen to the east. A right leads to a unique rock formation on the ridge crest. There is one huge rock which is balanced on the top of another smaller rock.
To reach the north end of the mountain, continue to follow the road. The trail becomes very rocky and small pines crowd the trail. In this section there is one view to the east. There are some large cliffs on the left. About 0.3 miles after the right bend. The trail's grade becomes moderate and then levels out at the top of the mountain (3645 feet).
At the top there is an old cinder block building. Walking north along the ridge leads another rock outcrop. The trail descends at an easy grade and is generally clear of brush until it comes to a rock pile. After picking a way through the boulder field, the descent becomes more moderate to the rock outcrop (3250 feet). From this outcrop there is an excellent view of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Insider's Tips: Grab a sandwich at Legendary Eats in downtown Lexington for a picnic at the saddle or at the summit of one of the mountains!
Little House Mountain Trail (3)
Distance: 1.3 Miles to summit (One Way)
Difficulty: Difficult
Hike Time: 1.25 hours
Elevation Change: 590 feet
Highlights: This is a short steep climb to the summit of Little House Mountain. There is a great view of the Great Valley at the northern end of the ridge crest. Along the way there are many nocks and crannies to explore on the trip to the end of the mountain
Driving Distance/Time: 7miles/20 minutes*
*from Lexington Visitor Center, 106 E. Washington St.
Trail Description: The trail begins at the Kiosk in the saddle. Turn right at the kiosk and follow the blue blazed trail through the meadow and the old apple orchard. After 100 feet the trail reenters the woods and the grade changes from easy to moderate. The forest is composed of upland hardwoods including locust, maple, hickory and ash.
As the trail begins to swing around the southern nose of Little House Mountain the grade becomes moderate. Rocks line the path and in a few places rock steps have been added to help in the climb. The canopy slowly changes to knurly Chestnut oak, Table mountain pine, and Pitch pine.
There is a left switchback followed immediately by a right switchback and the grade becomes more difficult. Fortunately, during this climb there is a great view to the south. Past the opening the trail continues its relentless pursuit of the ridge crest. As it approaches the rock face, there is a left switchback. The trail is now headed in the direction of the saddle. Fetterbush crowds the trail and small Chestnut oak and pine dominate the canopy. After the right bend the trail climbs straight up the ridge a short distance and begins to pass through the clefts in the rock outcrop near the crest of the ridge.
The Little House Mountain Trail again heads across the south slope before reaching the crest of the mountain. The distance from the saddle to the crest is 0.5 miles. The grade quickly changes from difficult to easy. On the crest the trail heads northeast. It passes under a low canopy of Rhododendron and an overstory of short pine and Chestnut oak.
Near the summit of Little House Mountain, the trail meanders through a boulder field. The rocks are massive. At one point the trail drops down and passes under a rock bridge. The distance to the bridge is 1.0 mile. Beyond the rock bridge, the trail begins to descent at and easy grade. The grade quickly becomes a moderate descent including the need to jump off a three-foot-high boulder. The Little House Mountain Trail is now on the east side of the ridge.
Just past the boulder the trail terminates at a rock outcrop with a wonderful view up the Shenandoah Valley. The distance is 1.3 miles. The elevation is 3200 feet. The cities of Lexington and Buena Vista as well as the Blue Ridge can be seen to the east. Looking northeast is Shenandoah National Park. To the north are Big Butt Mountain and the Goshen Wildlife Management Area.
Insider's Tips: Grab a sandwich at Legendary Eats in downtown Lexington for a picnic at the saddle or at the summit of one of the mountains!