If you're up for a day hike this fall, the trail to Big Schloss is a great choice, and is only a 90-minute drive from Reston.
All the elements that make for an exciting walk in the woods can be found here: clearly marked trail; cave-like overhangs; rickety bridge over a deep crevasse; rock scrambles; and hawks circling above, just watching to see if you can make it.
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Schloss is German for castle, and once you reach the rocky outcropping at the pinnacle, you can clearly see how this place got its name.
The start of the hike is the hardest part, with a half-mile ascent up a rocky trail. But, the payoff becomes clear at the top of the hill, where you'll get your first spectacular view of the valley below and of Little Schloss on an opposing rim.
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The rest of the trail is a gentle up and down along the forested ridge of the Great North Mountain range, which divides Virginia and West Virginia.
One more quick climb will take you to a cave-like formation and the unofficially named "Bridge of Eternal Splinters", which provides a wobbly crossing to the giant boulders that form the peak of Big Schloss. From the top, you can see for miles in every direction.
The total length of the walk is about four miles out-and-back. The hike is good for adults and older kids: my 12-year-old son was in his element; my 10-year-old daughter required a bribe to finish the uphill (it's pretty steep) but enjoyed the rest of the trip.
The rocks are great fun for climbing, but you definitely have to be aware of where the edges are – there's no safety net and it's a long way down.
Getting there: The trailhead is in the Wolf Den Gap Campground in the George Washington National Forest, near the town of Woodstock (about an hour and a half from Reston).
From Reston, go South on Fairfax County Parkway (7100) to Rt 66 West to I-81 South. Take the Woodstock exit and head west on 42 to Columbia Furnace (7 miles). Bear right on 675 and go 6.5 miles to Wolf Den Camp Ground. Park in the lot, and start your hike on the Mill Mountain Trail near campsite 9.
