Devils Marbleyard, Failed Attempt (Sulphur Spring Trail)

Sulphur Spring Trail, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579
Distance: 2.8 miles to summit (5.7 roundtrip)
Elevation: approximately 1026 elevation change hike
Difficulty: Medium
View: Wonderful view of the valleys
Worth it: If you’re looking for a quiet hike, yes (3 stars)
Abbey here.
And the GPS has failed us before.
Noah and I made an attempt to visit Panther Falls in the late summer of 2017, but while the directions looped us in the correct general direction, it ended up leaving us at the wrong river entrance. We ended up wading through the river for miles without any luck of a fall sighting. While the first trip was most certainly a most memorable experience, it was on our second attempt that we successfully arrived at the swimming hole and rock jump. Maybe I’ll write about those two trips someday.
Point being, the GPS has been faulty more than once. It took us here on one 17-degree afternoon when we meant to go to Devils Marbleyard. Devils Marbleyard is on Belfast Trail, which can be found by passing Sulphur Spring Trail and driving for another 5-8 minutes. You’ll pass houses and sketchy trailers, but Belfast Trail will be on your right if you’re coming from Sulphur Spring.
Sulphur Spring is only about a 2.5-3 mile hike to the viewpoint (research tells me it is 5.7 miles there-and-back). The hike is lovely, twisting, and woodsy. The difficulty is moderate–the incline isn’t overly challenging or steep. Dogs could easily accompany.
Overall, it was well worth it and we’ll just have to kick Devils Marble Yard off for another day.
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