Maze is probably overselling it, but it’s the perfect solitary spot for a quick hike with some pretty awesome rock formations that will make you feel as if you’re in a Tolkien novel.
Officially, this trail is the Riven Rock Mountain Trail; however, it’s not in nor accessible from Riven Rock Park which seems a bit duplicitous. It’s located in George Washington National Park, which means no entry fee, is about half a mile out-and-back, and is slightly above moderate in difficulty because it’s rather poorly marked. Generally, you won’t encounter anyone else here because just as I failed to find this place on my first couple attempts, they likely failed as well. Leave the furry friends at home, since the river can be quite difficult to cross and you’ll want both your hands free while doing so.
The trailhead lies at the end of Rawley Springs Road off Route 33. You’ll definitely feel like you’re driving onto someone’s private property on your way here but don’t fret! Down the gravel road, past the ominous “maintenance ends” sign sits a tiny parking lot next to a river. Bring sturdy preferably water resistant/waterproof boots/shoes, or sandals to cross the river with.
To begin this hike, walk past the gate and cross the river. If it’s rained or snowed recently, crossing the river will be quite an event. That said, there’s a relatively nice “rock bridge” you can use to get to the other side of the river without getting your feet wet even if the water’s pretty high. Plan B is crossing barefoot, but (speaking from personal experience) this is best done on a hot, summer day and only if you’ve packed an extra pair of socks.
After crossing the river, stay on the trail to the right. There’s a very well-marked trail to the left that looks like the obvious direction but leads to the trail that never ends. To get to the rock maze, stay on the right trail until seeing an orange marker and a field of boulders.
After crossing the river, stay on the trail to the right. There’s a very well-marked trail to the left that looks like the obvious direction but leads to the trail that never ends. To get to the rock maze, stay on the right trail until seeing an orange marker and a field of boulders.
Here, you’ll feel like Moses going out into the wilderness because this part of the trail isn’t marked. You’ll benefit from downloading a map to follow from AllTrails, or going with someone who’s been here before. That said, it’s near impossible to get lost because you can hear the river and see the parking lot from here. Keep walking towards the large boulders until the trail becomes more defined and follow that up the mountain. It’s a fairly steep but short incline here, but your reward is traversing through some rock scrambles, tiny caves, and pretty cool fractured boulders that feel a bit like a maze.
The trail keeps on going up to another boulder field with rocks until sort of disappearing near the ridgeline. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb to the top of some of these rocks for a pretty epic view of the maze from above.
Happy hiking!
