Purchase Ridge Trail is a 4.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Duffield, Virginia that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from March until November.
Note: As of August 2019, route has been redrawn into an out and back.
Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 Easy Byrd Street , Richmond, VA, 23219, Phone: 804-786-2051, Fax: 804-786-1919
Directions from Gate City, VA: Natural Tunnel State Park is in Scott County, Virginia. It is approximately 13 miles north of Gate City and 20 miles north of Kingsport, Tenn. To get there from I-81, take Rt. 23 to Rt. 871 to the park entrance. Continue straight onto Rt. 646 and turn right onto Rt. 795. Take Rt. 795 to Campground A. You may park here and access the trail behind the playground.
February 26, 2021January 24, 2021More moderate than it was hard. Lots of switchbacks near the end and you have to take the Gorge trail in order to get to Purchase trailhead. Not the most stunning view from the overlook but if you’ve seen it from the bottom it’s cool to see the entire area from the top! I hiked this trail then turned off onto Lovers Loop near the bottom and hiked the other smaller trails near the bottom all in a day with no problems!
January 19, 2021January 19, 2021
December 27, 2020Beautiful with a lot of snow.
November 24, 2020November 1, 2020Beautiful. Very quiet.
September 8, 2020August 10, 2020November 17, 2019Trail is more moderate than hard. There are some areas that get pretty steep and the switchbacks can be tricky. Was hoping for a better view. Ever with leaves of the trees, still not spectacular. If someone hadn't seen it from the bottom, it would be hard to appreciate it from the top. Got on a wrong path coming out that led to the cabins so be mindful of turns. The 4.1 miles doesn't seem to include Tunnel Hill and Grove Ridge trails needed to get to Purchase Ridge trailhead.
October 17, 2019Fun trail. Certainly not hard. Easy to moderate. Nice view of the tunnel area at the overlook at the end. Well maintained and marked. Will go back once the leaves drop for better views. Foliage mostly green on this day 17October2019.
August 26, 2019Definitely dont rate this trail as hard. Moderate at the most. Take a park map with you as the app is a bit squirrely and there are a couple of trail offshoots not marked but its not difficult to keep your way. The trail itself is well maintained and the overlook is kept clear for a straight view down into the tunnel. The parking lot was full of cars yet I never passed another human on this trail.
August 8, 2019Do NOT follow the app map, especially when you get close to the loop. You will end up completely off trail in a dangerous area, to the extent that there were times I was truly scared. Granted, I should’ve turned around quickly, but I thought for sure I would right myself soon. I mean it, the loop is completely wrong so stay on the trail no matter what. Update: after I wrote this it appears the app folks updated the map and it looks like it is much more accurate and less difficult.
July 25, 2019The trail does not match the map and the signs on the trail are either confusing or nonexistent. The views are nice and it is a wonderful work out. Loved the view of the tunnel from the ridge. There are some steep parts and switch backs not shone on the maps.
February 14, 2019The scenic overlook at the top is nice. The tunnel still looks massive from the top.
September 6, 2012
First to ReviewThe Purchase Ridge trail is what I would consider a moderate trail. The many switchbacks keep it from being difficult, but make no mistake, it is, in some places, very steep. The lookout has the potential to be an amazing view, however, after years of forest growth, almost none of the canyon wall and absolutely none of the canyon floor is visible. Only a narrow window to the canyon can be visualized. On the upside, however, the area is quiet and very secluded. I only met two people, a biker and a runner, and that was on the way back. The growing things along the trail make it well worth the trip if you are, as I am, a photographer. But if the view is what you are looking for, you'll be better off going only as high as Lover's Leap. Lover's Leap is, without question, the best view of the canyon wall and a small bit of the canyon floor. The only place you can see both. I was lucky enough to catch a train coming through on the way back down from Purchase Ridge.
December 31, 2020November 25, 2020November 23, 2020July 3, 2020December 28, 2019December 28, 2019July 13, 2019February 24, 2019October 25, 2018October 20, 2018May 18, 2017April 5, 2017
