All people who love the unspoiled outdoors are welcome to visit the Devil’s Den Nature Preserve near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fancy Gap, Virginia. There is no admission fee. It’s most popular attraction is the fault cave, known as the Devil’s Den. The trail to the cave is a 0.4 mile hike down the southeast side of the mountain to the entrance, which is composed of forty to fifty foot-high rocks. For those who want to explore inside the cave, please use caving equipment and exercise caution. If you would like a personal tour of the cave, you may call Michael at 1-336-429-1938.

 

Each year there are guided tours of the cave scheduled on the second Saturday in May and on the first Saturday of November beginning around 1:00 p. m. (Rain dates are the following Saturdays.) The second Saturday in May is Spring Awareness Day so a wildflower walk is appropriate also. The first Saturday of November is our Changing Seasons Celebration which also includes fall activities for children. Everyone enjoys the free watermelon after these hikes.

 

In addition to the Cave Trail, which is an extension of a longer loop trail, there is a shorter loop trail which comes out near the homestead. Along these trails there is an abundance of native plants, wild flowers, and birds. The longer loop trail begins on the road bed of the Old Good Spur Road and is a part of Virginia’s Mountain Warbler Loop Trail System.

 

The Homestead was built in the late 1800's. It was the family farm of the mother of Edward Carlan, who donated this approximately 250 acres for public use. Edward Harris Carlan stated in his will, that this land was “To be used for cultural and intellectual purposes . . de-emphasizing athletics, money and profit”. The house is currently under renovation and is not open.

 

Picnic tables are provided under the trees with primitive rest room facilities. Also for a relaxing afternoon, there are benches at two overlooks, which face Piedmont North Carolina. In the opposite direction you see the peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Plateau. We invite you to bring your friends and families for hiking or relaxing away from crowds and concrete.

 

Directions: From Mount Airy or Winston-Salem, NC, go north on U. S. 52 to Fancy Gap, VA. Immediately before the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge, turn left onto Old Appalachian Trail, Rt. 608. Go approximately 1 ¼ miles to the dirt road on the left, pass the cemetery and continue through the gate. Or

 

From I-77, north or south, exit at Fancy Gap and follow the signs to the Blue Ridge Parkway, turning right onto U. S. 52. Immediately after the parkway overpass, turn right onto Old Appalachian Trail, Rt. 608. Go approximately 1 ¼ miles to the dirt road on the left, pass the cemetery and continue through the gate.