South Valley Trail Map (click to enlarge)

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Note: This trail report does not cover the entire South Valley Trail, which runs from the Oak Ridge Campground to Pyrite Mine Road, nearly 9 miles. Instead, my hike picks up the South Valley Trail at the intersection with the Turkey Run Ridge Trail just south of Parking Lot A on the main park road.

I also hiked the segment of the South Valley Trail between the High Meadows Trail and Taylor Farm Road. You can read about that hike on the High Meadows-South Valley Trail Loop Hike review page.

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Length: 1.75 miles, one-way
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: two moderate hills, otherwise easy

The intersection of South Valley Trail and Turkey Run Ridge Trail is reached from either Parking Lot A or by hiking the Turkey Run Ridge Trail, which is how I arrived. Near the intersection is a bridge, but do not cross it. If coming from the parking lot, just keep straight past the bridge and continue to follow South Fork Quantico Creek (South Fork for short). If coming off the Turkey Run Ridge Trail, take a left at the intersection (the bridge will be to your right). If you cross the bridge, all you do is make a short loop around a parcel of land and end up right back at the bridge.

Bridge to nowhere near the intersection of South Valley Trail and Turkey Run Ridge Trail in Prince William Forest Park

This stretch of the South Valley Trail is the best hike in Prince William Forest Park because it follows South Fork so closely. However, while creeks follow level terrain, you’ll soon discover that not all sections of the trail are easy. There are a few spots where the surface becomes rocky and technically very difficult, and right from the start the trail rises above the creek on a ridge, leaving it far below. This first climb is steep, but very short, so I can’t call it strenuous. No sooner are you at the top than you start back down towards the creek.

Climb up a ridge at the start of the South Valley Trail near the intersection of the Turkey Run Ridge Trail in Prince William Forest Park

The South Valley Trail rises above South Fork Quantico Creek on a ridge near the intersection of the Turkey Run Ridge Trail in Prince William Forest Park

Near the bottom of the hill is a bridge that spans a small stream that feeds into South Fork. Once you cross it you will be back to walking right along the water on level terrain. You are close enough to fall in if you aren’t careful, and most of the time there are no trees between the trail and the creek to block the view. This is simply a wonderful stretch of trail. Because if its beauty, you will find a lot of other people hiking in the area.

Prince William Forest Park’s South Valley Trail along South Fork Quantico Creek

Cascade on South Fork Quantico Creek in Prince William Forest Park

At .6 mile from the Turkey Run Ridge Trail intersection, the South Valley Trail temporarily ends at North Orenda Road, an old gravel fire road that is open to both hikers and bikers. Take a right to get to the continuation of the South Valley Trail a quarter mile down the road.

North Orenda Road in Prince William Forest Park

The South Valley Trail eventually comes to an intersection with the Laurel Loop Trail, which is located on the other side of a fancy footbridge. Stay on the west side of the creek to remain on the South Valley Trail. It is here that the trail becomes part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a scenic trails in the National Park system.

Footbridge connects the South Valley and Laurel Loop Trails in Prince William Forest Park

The hike now turns north towards Pyrite Mine Road, another of the fire roads in Prince William Forest Park. South Fork is on your right, and the trail follows along it for the entire time. Ten minutes down is a nice cascade.

Cascade on South Fork Quantico Creek in Prince William Forest Park

All is not fun and games, for there is a second climb to a high ridge just past the cascade. This area is not only hilly, but the trail surface has plenty of rocks and roots to trip you up if you are not careful.

Just before coming to Pyrite Mine Road is some sort of wooden structure, and across the creek a cement pillar lies in the water. The Birch Bluff Trail is on the other side of the creek as well, so I am guessing that a bridge of some sort once connected the two trails together. I hiked Birch Bluff earlier and saw this same scene from the other side of South Fork.

Wooden structure of unknown origin near the intersection of Pyrite Mine Road and the South Valley Trail, Prince William Forest Park

Pillar lying in the creek (view from the Birch Bluff Trail in Prince William Forest Park)

Just a few minutes past the wooden structure is Pyrite Mine Road, which marks the point where the South Valley Trail ends and the North Valley Trail begins. Turn around here and head back the way you came if your goal is just to hike the South Valley Trail. Total distance from the intersection with the Turkey Run Ridge Trail is approximately 1.75 miles. Other than the hill at the start and end of the trail, it is an easy hike.

My goal was to continue on the North Valley Trail all the way to the Quantico Cascades Trail. If you don’t want to do this but have an interest in history, I suggest you continue a little farther and explore the ruins of the old Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine, which adds about a half mile, round trip, to the hike. To do this, take a right on Pyrite Mine Road and cross the historic North Branch Quantico Creek Bridge that was built in the late 1800s. Once across, you are on the North Valley Trail. The foundation of the commissary building is just up ahead, and a little farther is an observation deck that looks out over the main mine site, though there is nothing left today to see other than a forest.

North Branch Quantico Creek Bridge near the intersections of the Pyrite Mine Road and the North and South Valley trails, Prince William Forest Park

I hiked the South Valley Trail as part of an 8-mile loop hike that starts at Parking Lot E on Scenic Drive. For those who want to tackle a highly interesting hike, from Parking Lot E, cross the road and look for the Mary Bird Branch Trail and take this to Old Black Top Road. Turn right on the road and head towards the Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground. Find the Turkey Run Ridge Trail and hike south until it ends at South Valley Trail. Take a left on South Valley and hike north until you get to North Orenda Road, at which point you must jog to the right for a quarter mile in order to reconnect with the South Valley Trail. South Valley comes to a final end at Pyrite Mine Road. Take a right over the bridge and the road naturally becomes the North Valley Trail. North Valley passes through the ruins of the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine and eventually comes to the eastern terminus of the Quantico Cascades Trail. Take this back to the parking lot. For more information on any of the trails mentioned above, click the links to read a detailed trail review.

Loop Hike Map (click to enlarge)

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