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
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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Crook and Early (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Forerunner of Wireless Telegraphy (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Clark County / Loudoun County (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
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
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.
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, February 16, 2020
4. Rear View of the hostel at Bears Den, built to resemble a castle.
Photographed by Warren Krupsaw, circa 2006
5. Tree at Bear's Den Overlook (Autumn)
Photographed by Warren Krupsaw
6. View from Bear's Den Overlook (Autumn)
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 4,004 times since then and 51 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.
