Near Longwood in Clarke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Appalachian Trail and Bears Den

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

1. Appalachian Trail and Bears Den Marker

Inscription.
This 2,100-mile-long hiking path passes through 14 states from Mount Katahdin, Me., to Springer Mountain, Ga., along the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921 by Benton MacKaye, the trail was completed in 1937. It was designated a National Scenic Trail in 1968. One half mile to the south along the trail is Bears Den, a unique rock formation. The nearby stone mansion of the same name, constructed in 1933, is one of several summerhouses built along the Blue Ridge for wealthy Washingtonians between 1880 and 1940. It has been a hostel and lodge since 1986.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historical Resources. (Marker Number T-13.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Landmarks • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 39° 6.944′ N, 77° 51.155′ W. Marker is near Longwood, Virginia, in Clarke County. Marker is on Harry Byrd Highway (Virginia Route 7), on the right when traveling east. Across the divided highway from the intersection of Pine Grove Avenue, passing through Snicker's Gap. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Berryville VA 22611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mt. Airy Fight (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Lives And Times Of The Snickersville Academy (approx. one mile away); The Snickersville Academy (approx. one mile away); Bluemont (approx. one mile away); Snickersville Turnpike (approx. one mile away); Bluemont Historic District (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Snickersville Turnpike (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lt. Col. Roger Preston Chew (1843-1921) (approx. 1.6 miles away).

Also see . . . Welcome to Bears Den. Lodge website homepage (Submitted on June 20, 2007.)

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

2. Appalachian Trail and Bears Den Marker

Bears Den Lodge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Linda Walcroft, February 16, 2020

3. Bears Den Lodge

The mansion at Bears Den, now a hostel managed by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

Rear View of the hostel at Bears Den, built to resemble a castle. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Linda Walcroft, February 16, 2020

4. Rear View of the hostel at Bears Den, built to resemble a castle.

Tree at Bear's Den Overlook (Autumn) image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Warren Krupsaw, circa 2006

5. Tree at Bear's Den Overlook (Autumn)

View from Bear's Den Overlook (Autumn) image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Warren Krupsaw

6. View from Bear's Den Overlook (Autumn)

View from Bear's Den Overlook (Winter) image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Warren Krupsaw

7. View from Bear's Den Overlook (Winter)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,992 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on March 3, 2020, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 22, 2012, by Warren Krupsaw of Bluemont, Va.. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.