Blue Ridge Parkway | GULLY CREEK TRAIL (MP 217.5)

Cumberland Knob Hiking Trails

Cumberland Knob Hiking Trails (click to enlarge)

Length: 2.5 mile loop
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous

The Gully Creek Trail is a strenuous trail located at the Cumberland Knob Recreation Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A sign at the start warns of its strenuousness, and it will probably scare off anyone who is out of shape. If you do want to hike the trail, I recommend hiking poles and, particularly, waterproof hiking boots because you must cross Gully Creek many times, and depending on the amount of water flow, the creek may be deep enough to where your shoes will get wet. If you don’t have boots, be sure to wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Other than that, the trail is definitely strenuous, but I am 50 years old and not in particularly great shape, and other than some huffing and puffing, I had no problem. In fact, I would call it one of the better trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Start of the Gully Creek Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Start of the Gully Creek Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Being a loop, you can hike the trail in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Hike in the clockwise direction to avoid nearly a mile of uphill terrain. To do this, find the trailhead located near the restroom building. You know you are at the right place when you see the warning sign (photo above).

The trail starts off on a steep descent towards Gully Creek. However, this is accomplished through a series of switchbacks, so you aren’t really going straight downhill. The only steep parts are the turns at the starts and ends of the switchbacks. The trail in between is nearly flat. Furthermore, the terrain is smooth, without many rocks or roots—smooth enough that somebody in better shape than myself could jog down the trail.

Typical terrain on the hike down to Gully Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway's Gully Creek Trail

Typical terrain on the hike down to Gully Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Gully Creek Trail

At .75 miles into the the hike, the trail begins to follow a small stream (not Gully Creek) that is lined with rhododendrons. These usually bloom in June or July, and a hike during this time would be like entering a hiking paradise. At this point the smooth, joggable terrain ends. Water has run down this path for thousands of years and has exposed the rocks, while the rhododendrons, absent on the hike down, spread their roots.

Rocky terrain on the Blue Ridge Parkway's Gully Creek Trail begins once the trail begins following a creek

Rocky terrain on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Gully Creek Trail begins once the trail begins following a creek

Just a few minutes later is a small cascade that marks the start of the hike along Gully Creek. The journey will be in the direction that the creek flows, and it is pretty much downhill all the way. However, the descent allows the water to pick up speed, creating many other picturesque cascades along the way. It is here that you must cross the creek, and there are not enough stepping stones to make it across without touching the water. If it has been raining, it is possible that all of the stones may be submerged.

Small waterfall along Gully Creek near the Blue Ridge Parkway

Small waterfall along Gully Creek near the Blue Ridge Parkway

Since you crossed the creek once and are now on the opposite side, it goes without saying that you will have to cross back sooner or later. In this case, it’s sooner, though this time around there are plenty of stepping stones for you to walk on without getting your shoes wet. There will be many more creek crossings, each with its own unique challenge. One in particular is a crossing near some cascades (marked on the trail map), but not because you might get wet. The trail takes a dive downhill, and there are some large rocks that you must scurry down, or even slide down, but these little challenges are what makes a trail fun to hike.

Steep, slippery rocks on the Blue Ridge Parkway's Gully Trail make this creek crossing a challenge

Steep, slippery rocks on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Gully Trail make this creek crossing a challenge

Water of Gully Creek cascading over large boulders, Blue Ridge Parkway

Water of Gully Creek cascading over large boulders, Blue Ridge Parkway

At the 1-mile point, the trail becomes extremely rocky. At times you may be wondering if you are still on the trail, for the terrain is quite treacherous. In attempting not to sprang an ankle, your pace will definitely be slowed. However, you know a trail is fun when you are no longer wondering how much longer you have to hike but are instead thinking about where to place your next step, how to get across the water, and what a nice photo that pretty creek will make. You may even feel like Indiana Jones. You forget all about the fact that you will have to eventually hike back up and that the fun is going to end, but as long as you are following Gully Creek, the hike is definitely enjoyable. This is certainly one of the more scenic trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The hike back out of the valley eventually has to come. Fortunately, like the hike down, the hike up is accomplished though switchbacks, so it’s not as bad as it could be. There are sections that are steep enough to where you must push yourself uphill on your tip-toes, sections that are fairly flat, and sections of gradual inclines. The only difference between this and the hike down is that the terrain is now full of rocks and roots, but at least going uphill you don’t have to worry about stepping wrong and taking a tumble downhill.

Extremely rocky terrain on the hike back up out of the valley on the Blue Ridge Parkway's Gully Trail

Extremely rocky terrain on the hike back up out of the valley on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Gully Trail

At the 2.2 mile mark is an intersection with a trail sign. To the left is the Picnic Ground and Cumberland Knob, which sounds like the way to go. However, taking a left puts you on the Cumberland Knob Trail, a separate loop trail that leads to the top of Cumberland Knob. You could take this route and basically make a combo out of the two trails, but if you want to stay on the Gully Creek Trail, keep straight. If you look at the other side of the trail sign, you will see arrows pointing to the Gully Creek Trail and to the Picnic Ground. Both signs mention the picnic ground because you will end up there regardless of which way you go. Don’t be thrown off by the fact that the arrow to the Gully Creek Trail points in the direction you just came from. Remember, it’s a loop. This just points you in the counterclockwise direction. Straight is the way to go.

Keep straight at the intersection of the Gully Creek and Cumberland Knob trails, Blue Ridge Parkway

Keep straight at the intersection of the Gully Creek and Cumberland Knob trails, Blue Ridge Parkway

From here on out the trail is flat. Part of the way follows a paved path, and you end up back at the restroom building.

The hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway's Gully Creek Trail finishes along a paved path across the picnic area field

The hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Gully Creek Trail finishes along a paved path across the picnic area field

I highly recommend the Gully Creek Trail, and don’t be put off by the warning sign at the beginning unless you have a bad back or bad knees. While it is not all fun and games, the scenery and the challenges along the creek set it apart from most trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Back to the Top


With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.

Last updated on November 17, 2023
Share this article