Volunteers Make Improvements to the Uncas Trail

The Uncas Trail is a pleasant 1.5-mile hike through woods on an old road bed with views of the Maury River and the mountains beyond. The trailhead and informational kiosk are located at the parking area near the  Lexington City Shops (890 Shop Road). From there the trail proceeds past bluffs above the Maury River and then down through the woods to a beach on the river. 

Our trail maintenance crew meets monthly to make improvements and strategize about next steps. Strategy meetings are held on the third Monday of odd months and work days are scheduled close to the third Monday of even months (around the weather). 

The trail is the result of the landowner’s advocacy efforts for land conservation and publicly accessible trails. It was named by Andy McThenia (the landowner) after his father “Uncas”. The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation provided a generous grant through the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) to fund the easement purchase from Mr. McThenia on his 39-acre property. Funding was granted on the condition that there would be public access along the trail that runs through the property down to the river.

Rockbridge Conservation (RACC) holds the easement and maintains the trail in collaboration with the landowner. This trail is open to the public and is a great recreational resource! In the past few months, the Trails Committee has worked to get the parking area graded and gravel placed, maintained the trail from those wind-blown tree falls and regular on-going trail maintenance. We’ve had volunteers working on all aspects of the trail, including construction of the trailhead kiosk, and we’re now working on kiosk content.

Our trail volunteers have a great time making improvements to this Lexington gem. But we always need more volunteers to help with trail maintenance! It’s a great way to get outdoors, be part of a fun community and get involved in making Lexington a great place to live!  

Please email us to join our trail maintenance mailing list or if you’re interesting in getting involved!