White Rock Gap Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway

View: None
Trails: White Rock Gap Trail, White Rock Falls Trail, The Slacks Trail
Picnic Tables: None

The White Rock Gap Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway allows access to a number of fairly long out-and-back trails. The White Rock Gap Trail and the White Rock Falls Trail start here. You can use the former to access The Slacks Trail and many others.

Since waterfalls are of interest to many people, the most popular trail at this location is the White Rock Falls Trail. This 2.5 mile (one-way) trail runs between here and The Slacks Overlook. The waterfall (really a series of cascades) is located near the middle, but a little closer to The Slacks. If your goal is just to see the cascades, then start from The Slacks. The cascades begin about a mile into the hike and continue downstream for about a quarter mile. Round trip from The Slacks is 2.2 miles versus 2.8 miles from White Rock Gap. See the White Rock Falls Trail report for complete details and photos about the hike.

Regardless of which end you start at, the trailhead for the White Rock Falls Trail is on the opposite side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. From the White Rock Gap Parking Area, when facing the Parkway the trailhead is to the right at about the 2 o’clock position. Look for a tree with a yellow blaze painted on it.

Trail Mileage (one way)

White Rock Falls Trail: 2.5 miles

White Rock Gap Trail: 2.5 miles

Slacks Trail: 2.6 miles

Torry Ridge Trail: 7 miles

Torry Ridge / Slacks / Blue Loop / White Rock Gap Loop: 8.5 mile loop (not one way)