Ferrier & Lick Branch Loop & Lollipop
Both of these hikes walk the same loop, but starting from different places and the lollipop version has the
stick of the lollipop to get from the trailhead to the loop.
Ferrier & Lick Branch Trails Map
Ferrier - Lick Branch Loop
25 miles from Orange Market, $3.50 carpool fee
6.7 miles, moderate terrain
Driving:
VA-311 North to New Castle. Turn right on VA-615/Main St. Go two blocks Ns turn right on Court St/VA-616.
In 1.3 miles turn right on Maggie Maw/VA-690. In less than a mile, stay right on Maggie Maw/690 which is now
dirt. At [End State Maint.] take the right fork to trailheads. The orange-blazed Ferrier Trail comes in
on the left just past the low-water crossing. Park just before or just after (my car likes before). To get
to the Lick-Branch trailhead, continue walking straight on the road another 1.1 mile to the start of the yellow blazes.
The trailhead is accessed via New Castle taking Cuba Road and then FS 5026 where you may begin at either the
Ferrier Trail or continue about a mile to the end of the road where you will find the Lick Branch trailheads.
Ferrier Trail provides good views of Craig Creek Valley and Potts Mountain while Lick Branch offers cool, refreshing walk.
Lick Branch Trail begins at sign on FS 182. Continue on this logging road to Lick Branch Crossing. Trail
descends in hardwood forest, through one wildlife clearing and past another one, widening into Ferrier Road
approximately 1/4 mile before reaching FS 182.
Ferrier-Lick Branch Lollipop
12 miles from Daleville, $1.00 carpool fee
11.5 miles, strenuous terrain
Diving:
VA-779, R-VA-666, L VA-600, R-VA-748, L CR-618
Ferrier trail starts to the right, NW. The North Mountain Trail goes to the left, SE. This is also the end-point trailhead for the North Mountain Trail.
Located in Craig County east of New Castle on the border of Botetourt County, this lollypop hike will begin at the far end of North Mountain where the North Mountain Trail ends. The hike will follow the Ferrier Trail up and over Broad Mountain where it ends on a gravel road (FS 5026). The hike continues approximately 1 mile to the end of the road where Lick Branch Trail begins. Continue on Lick Branch Trail to Ferrier and take Ferrier back to the trailhead. This last stretch has two uphill sections. The first segment is 3 miles gaining 620 feet and the second segment is 1 mile gaining 750 feet.