Information And Events

Trail Guide:

When heading towards the cave (clockwise loop): At the road gate turn left to go along the fence to go into the woods. From that point you will travel .3 miles downhill toward the cave, passing 4 benches. Soon afterwards a trail sign says to turn right to stay on the main loop trail or to go straight on the .1-mile spur section that leads to Devil’s Den Cave. If you go towards the cave, after passing a bench be sure to follow the white arrows. Do not attempt to approach the cave entrance as the boulder faces are very steep. If you turn right at the trail sign, it is 1.2-miles to get back to the kiosk with long sections of uphill hiking. When you come out of the woods follow the mowed path in the meadow. You will pass by two overlooks on your right before the path turns left to meet the dirt road which you use to return to the kiosk.

When heading towards the back of the meadow (counterclockwise loop): At the road gate continue straight on the dirt road. At the post marked with a white blaze follow the mowed trail which turns left and then right at the edge of the woods where you will pass by two overlooks on the left. Continue straight into the woods and hike mostly downhill about 1 mile to where the main loop trail turns left. If you go right, you are on the .1-mile spur section that leads to Devil’s Den Cave (follow the white arrows). After passing a bench be sure to follow the white arrows. Do not attempt to approach the cave entrance as the boulder faces are very steep. However, if instead of going to the cave you take the left turn, you will be going uphill about .3 miles, passing 4 benches along the way as you return to the kiosk.

What about the Devil’s Den Cave?

Many locals have heard that after the 1912 Hillsville Courthouse Tragedy Sidna Allen and his nephew hid in the Devil's Den Cave.  However, our sources tell us that Sidna Allen knew the cave was unstable and would not have risked being inside.  It has been unstable and its passages mostly closed up for over 100 years. 

We have signs up saying do not approach the cave entrance as it is steep and dangerous.