From Cumberland Knob to Rocky Knob, hiking locations abound near Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground. Devil’s Den Nature Preserve, about three miles from the campground, is not as well known but worth a visit. After two visits, my family considers Devil’s Den one of our favorite afternoon hikes.

Directions

Devils’ Den Nature Preserve is about three miles from Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground.. Turn right out of the campground and go a half mile to Old Appalachian Trail, which is the first gravel road on the right. Stay on the gravel section and continue onto the pavement.

As you drive, you’ll go down a steep, curvy hill and cross over 1-77. Once you top the next hill, you’ll see Cemetry Road on the right and a sign for Devil’s Den. Follow that dirt road. You’ll see a sign that lets you know when you’ve entered the nature preserve. The dirt road will take you to the trailhead. Stay left at the fork, and the trailhead is straight ahead. 

The Trail

The trail is a mile at the most. Your destination is a cave that is reportedly several million years old. The trail goes downhill through a pristine forest. As you follow the arrows along the trail, make sure to stop and take in the view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You’ll see rock formations ahead of you as you near the cave. Once you get to a bench, it seems like you’ve hit a dead end. Go right and follow the trail. It gets a little tricky where you have to climb down through some rocks. The next stop is the cave.

The Cave

You can climb on the rocks in front of the entry or walk around them to see inside. It’s not recommended you go in, but curiosity will no doubt get the better of the daredevils. Even looking in from entrance, you can see the many nooks and crannies that extend up and down for several hundred feet.

We’ve visited in July and January. On a summer visit, the cooler temperature at the mouth of the cave is welcome. In January, despite the wet trail, my husband decided to relive his younger days as a mountain climber. He found a path over the remainder of the rock formations that are to the left when you leave the cave.

If you go this way make sure you have boots or shoes with good grip. A fall could easily result in injury so caution is advisable. The advantage of going this way is that you get a closer look down into the top of the cave, and the additional challenge of making it up and over the rocks to the trail.

A word of warning, the hike out is uphill the entire way. So, keep the fitness level of the people in your group in mind before you commit yourself to the hike. Take it slow and steady, and you’ll make it.

Worth a Try

Not many hikes give you the reward of a cave and climb at the end. Since Devil’s Den is not a long hike, you can complete it in an afternoon. Bring a group with you and enjoy the hike, just encourage each other through the strenuous parts.