Hikers Visit Rhododendron Trail

The new Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve in Ridgeway has been open since April and getting quite a bit of use too! Now hikers have another reason to enjoy the preserve. Rhododendron Trail offers a challenging one mile hike down switchbacks and along the Smith River. The narrow path leads visitors through a wide variety of lush ferns and then through a tunnel of Rhododendrons.


Eileen Bourne (below) of the Martinsville-Henry County Master Gardeners shows Rhododendron blooms to a group of hikers.


One of the highlights of the hike is a bench overlooking the Smith River where visitors can relax and listen to the sounds of birds, leaves blowing in the breeze, and flowing water.

The Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve is located on Eggleston Falls Road in Ridgeway Virginia. The preserve, funded partially by a grant from the Harvest Foundation, is open year round and admission is free. For more information on the preserve and other natural areas in Martinsville and Henry County, call Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545.