Hiking the Voorheese Nature Preserve
Located alongside the Rappahannock River in Virginia's Northern Neck, lies 729 acres of forest and freshwater tidal marsh managed by The Nature Conservancy. Voorheese Nature Preserve offers about 4 miles of wooded trails and is accessible from the adjacent Westmoreland Berry Farm.
I was shown this hidden gem by friend and fellow Sierra Club hiker Glenn. I visited the preserve in May when the understory was teeming with native Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) blooms and the marshes with the non-native Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus). The star attraction of the preserve is the tall hollow Tulip Poplar that stands formidably in the young forest. The hollowed trunk is large enough for a full-sized adult to stand inside it. From the bluffs, you can look out onto the Rappahannock River to spot wildlife, including Bald Eagles and Ospreys, or turn toward land to spot songbirds.
The hike starts at the Westmoreland Berry Farm parking lot where you can visit the shop for more information about visiting the Voorhees Nature Preserve. Walk back toward the entrance of the Preserve, where you will see a large Nature Conservancy sign in a peach orchard. From this point you will pick up the your main path into the preserve, the Carriage Road Trail, which is the remnants of an old wagon road along the Rappahannock River. The trail descends down into a tidal marsh with a boardwalk crossing Owl Hollow Creek. This area is teeming with wildlife and unique plants, so take your time peering out over the boardwalk into the water and marsh grasses.
The trail continues up onto the bluffs and hugs the river. You will come across the junction with the Hollow Tree trail which takes a loop into the preserve’s interior, but take advantage of the little off-shoot trail that leads you the 20 yards to the Hollow Tree. You can continue the Hollow Tree trail loop, which will return you further North along the Carriage Road Trail. At the end, you will find yourself at the Northern Overlook, a ~120ft bluff with gorgeous river views. Follow the Carriage Road Trail back to the parking lot.
The farm and the preserve offer a great day of hiking and picking berries in the right season. For a longer trip, add in the nearby trails at Westmoreland State Park and Stratford Hall for the full Northern Neck experience.
eBird Observation Chart
Hiking
There are about 5 miles of marked trails. Trails may be overgrown and difficult to follow at times.
The Carriage Road Trail from the parking lot to the Northern Overlook (terminus) is ~3.4 miles one-way
The Hollow Tree Trail is a 1.4-mile loop that visits the Hollow Tree and connects back to the Carriage Road Trail
Total combined trails for an out-and-back hike from the parking lot is ~ 7 miles with about 200 feet of total elevation gain
Precautions: ticks, poison ivy
Map
Nature Conservancy Trail Map of Voorhees Nature Preserve
Photos
Visiting
Address:
To be updated
I am an avid hiker and amateur naturalist. I hike to satisfy that persistent curiosity of what of nature’s wonders lies just beyond the next bend.
