- Highlights: Great views, Tuscarora Trail
- Distance: 2.2 miles out and back
- Elevation Change 489 feet
- Trail Surface: Mostly dirt with a few rocky sections
- Difficulty Level: Easy/Moderate (some rocky sections)
- Trailhead Parking: Eagle Rock Trailhead parking area at the VA/WV state line, Capon Springs Grade, search Google Maps for “Tuscarora Trail Eagle Rock Trailhead”
- Website: AllTrails
- Beer Pairings: Box Office Brewery—Massanutty Brown Ale & Signal Knob IPA
The Hike:
This short hike has some major league views and the path follows a famous hiking trail. Not the AT, this hike is on the Tuscarora Trail. The Tuscarora Trail is a 250-mile long trail through the Appalachians of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The trail follows easements on private property. Stay on trail at all times and camping is not permitted.
The trailhead has limited parking for 6-8 vehicles. Do not park on the road. Parking is allowed on both side of Capon Springs Grade. The “no trespassing” signs mean you cannot leave the parking area or the trail. The trail to Eagle Rock begins in Virginia, travels mostly through West Virginia, and ends at the Eagle Rock overlooks on the state line.
The trail is an old forest road and is well marked and well maintained. The climb is gradual and is ideal for hikers of all ages. There are three viewpoints offering some outstanding mountain and valley views to the east. The first viewpoint is at 1 mile, a stone bench provides a nice place to enjoy the views.
The second viewpoint, about 100 yards past the first overlook, has two hammocks offering a resting spot for weary hikers. Just past the hammocks is the 3rd viewpoint which is down a short unmarked trail on the right. Note the “no trespassing” signs. The trail has right of way access through easements on private property. Stay on the trail and the spur trails to the overlooks and you will not be trespassing.
For some reason, AllTrails continues past the 3rd overlook for another .3 miles and abruptly ends. There are no additional views, so we suggest turning around after the 3rd overlook at 1.1 miles and retracing your steps back to your vehicle.
Hike Photos:
Click on an image below for an enlarged view.
Beer Pairing:
Box Office Brewery in nearby Strasburg is about 20 minutes from the trailhead. The brewery is located inside the historic 1918 Strand Theatre building. The old movies are long gone. Now cold beer and a variety of food items are available. They have indoor and outdoor seating, dogs are welcome outside, and they have live music on weekends.
Pete really liked Massanutty Brown Ale (5.4% ABV • 21 IBU). It has a malty flavor with notes of caramel and toasted biscuits. Kathy may have met her match on the hoppiness scale. Signal Knob IPA (7.6% ABV • 110 IBU) has a whopping 110 IBUs! This west coast IPA is everything a good IPA should be. Cheers!
Hike and drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Stay safe, be responsible, and leave no trace.