This hike has plenty of interesting scenery, and has a peaceful starting location (Crozet Reservoir/Mint Springs) with an opportunity for a picnic, etc. Most people hike this route to see the wreckage of a Douglas DC-3 which crashed on October 30, 1959. The DC-3 was operating as Piedmont Airlines Flight 349, a regularly scheduled flight from Reagan National with stops in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke. The exact cause of the crash is unknown, but was likely due to a navigation error on the part of the pilot. The Hook had a story on this a while back...you can check it out here.
This hike is not for the faint of heart - it requires lots of walking across the face of slopes, and following a trail of ribbons along a trail which, when the author hiked it, was covered with leaves and debris. The start of the hiking (before you pick up the ribbons) is the most confusing part - just make sure you pass under the power lines at some point and you should be okay.
We have received some reports that the popular hiking website Hiking Upward (which used to have directions to the crash site) has pulled their directions after hearing from the owner of the property where the DC-3 wreckage rests. As of the author's trip (April 2011), there were no private property or no trespassing signs to dissuade potential hikers, but this may have changed. Proceed at your own risk!