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To get to Keyser Run Retreat you go to the end of the road. And then you keep going. Adjacent to the Shenandoah National Park, a private lane climbs the north flank of Pignut Mountain to a broad bench at the edge of the Park. On this high, protected and private hillside, Keyser Run Retreat has a dramatic setting overlooking the Little Devils Stairs gorge as well as Hogsback Mountain, Keyser Mountain, South Marshal Mountain and North Marshal Mountain. At over 1,500 feet and adjoining the Park on two sides, this homes has one of the highest elevations Rappahannock County.
Despite its unprepossessing exterior, the home is an expansive, comfortable and perfectly appointed mountain retreat. Almost every room has broad windows and glass doors to drink in the spectacular mountain views. The broad deck spanning the front of the home feels almost as if it’s another panoramic overlook on Skyline Drive.
The heart of the home is an spacious family/cooking/dining area. The family room area is anchored by a brawny floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace with an inserted soapstone woodstove for greater heating efficiency. The dining area has high ceilings with skylights that shower the room with natural light. There is a large patio door that opens to a naturally landscaped hillside. The kitchen features granite countertops, cherry cabinets and top-of-the-line appliances including a six-burner Wolf range.
From the kitchen area, a hallway leads to two large bedrooms, a half bath and a full bathroom.
The living area spills into a sitting room with a built-in wet bar and beyond is a large and dramatic observation/living room with cathedral ceilings. One end of this ample room has windows from floor to the peak of the tall ceiling. The mountain views are simply stunning and with a telescope you can watch hikers on Little Devils Stairs and cars on the Skyline Drive. At the other end is a woodburning fieldstone fireplace. The room feels cozy, and yet it is generously spaced.
From the observation/living room a short hallway leads to a private and peaceful primary suite. The bedroom features a ceiling fan, high ceilings and wide windows that frame the magnificent mountain views. The luxurious bathroom has an old fashioned clawfoot tub for soaking plus a glass enclosed tiled shower and heated towel racks. There are two very generous closets.
The main floor also includes a sunny, well-lit office that could easily double as another guest room. As with almost all the rooms, there are stunning mountain views from the wide windows.
The lower level includes a large craft/office room with plenty of room for exercise equipment as well. There are two additional storage rooms, each with its own door to the lower deck.
The 25-acre property includes a separate two-bay garage with a tractor shed addition. Other than an acre or so around the house, the land is mostly forested mountain land. There is a small woodland pond that attracts birds, amphibians, deer, bear and other animals of the night.
Keyser Run Retreat is located at the end of Keyser Run Road, across from the parking lot for Little Devils Stairs. One can literally walk down the driveway and have access to hundreds of miles of trails in the Shenandoah National Park. It is only 8 – 9 miles from the eclectic village of Sperryville which has two breweries, a distillery, a yoga studio, restaurants, including 3 Blacksmiths and interesting shopping opportunities. Little Washington, home to the renowned Inn at Little Washington, is also nearby. Culpeper, Warrenton and Front Royal where you will find typical big box stores, interesting shopping, entertainment and restaurants are all about 25 miles away.
Located about an hour and a half from Washington, DC, and just over an hour from Charlottesville, the property is the perfect country retreat.
