Distance: 0.9 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Total Ascent: 285 feet | Time: 30 60 minutes. This hike earns a moderate rating due to mild inclines and possibly slick areas. Its a loop trail thats rated moderate at ~3.3 miles. and the majority of hiking trailheads are directly off of Skyline Drive. Dates. Why You Must Hike This Hike: Capture up close Shenandoahs scintillating geology huge outcrops rising above the forest and open talus slopes where rocks by the thousands carpet the mountainsides. Wrapped around the top of the post is a piece of metal, marked with the trails and distances to the next junction or trailhead. With more than 500 miles of trails, Shenandoah National Park is a hiker's paradise. The rock scrambling is challenging, fun, and the best part of the hike. Check here for information about reservations. Also available Magazines, Music and other Services by pressing the "DOWNLOAD" button, create an account and enjoy unlimited. Its over 5 miles long and for 90% of the time you will be in the forest with no views, other than trees and groves of mountain laurel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Most facilities are services are open from spring to fall and close during the winter. Why You Must Hike This Hike: This ideal family hike or afternoon stroll starts at the Loft Mountain Wayside. Old Rag Mountain tops out at 3,284 feet, and the hike features rugged and rocky scrambles up to a beautiful view at the peak. This trail dead ends at the AT. It's . Each offers a slightly different experience. Were not hikers, however we can easily park our car and do easy walks to get to any scenic areas. There are some stream crossings, so waterproof footwear is a good choice. From Rockfish Gap entrance station, it is a 19.9 mile drive to the trailhead. How about hawksbill & stonyman, From Hawksbill and Stonyman, you dont get a full 360 degree view, but you do get close. Just two hours from where we live, we have spent more time here than any other national park in the United States. Weaving around car-size boulders to the summit of 3,268-foot Old Rag Mountain is the quintessential Shenandoah thrill-and its airy precipice is also the best place for 360-degree views (especially for leaf-peeping in early November). You get the unexciting walk through the forest done first. Begin to look for Fraser fir and red spruce, the two northern climate species so rare in Shenandoah and the Old Dominion. Location: North Section, Milepost 10.4. It is less than a 10-minute walk from the Visitor's Center. You can marvel at the 67-foot Rose River Fall, pass by an almost hundred-year-old cemetery (Cave Cemetery) and filled-in old copper mine shaft, cross bridges, listen to the sounds of lush streams flowing, and swim in fresh mountain pools. Distance: 1.5 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Total Ascent: 360 feet | Time: 1 hour. If you want to avoid the crowds, Little Stony Man is a nice summit hike with fewer people than other hikes on this list. Get a jump on bagging this peak by starting out at over 3,600 feet, leaving under 500 feet of vertical gain to the nose of Hawksbill. But we are working to convert some of our posts to printer friendly pdfs so Ill add this one to the list. So, why even mention it? The easiest way to hike to Hawksbill Mountain is on the Upper Hawksbill Trail. Im hoping theres some kind of loop that might cover this distance. Spend a weekend in Asheville or visit nearby Washington DC. Hike Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous. Easy access, old farmsteads and a rewarding vista sum up much of what Shenandoah National Park offers on this one hike. Just the rock scrambles of Bearfence Trail in Shenandoah National Park Overview. The 200-site Loft Mountain ($15), the biggest in the park, is located at mile 79.5, at the southern end of Skyline Drive, on top of Big Flat Mountain with big views into Shenandoah Valley. Go left to take the Rose River Loop Trail. This is where the fun begins. For a summit climb, this is a relatively short and easy trail, so it's great for almost all ages and ability levels. Backtrack to the main trail. Rose River Trail, 3. Just before reaching the summit, take the short spur trail off of the AT to reach the viewpoint. Turn left to follow the trail. The Trailhead:The hike starts at the Browns Gap parking area, milepost 83.0 on Skyline Drive. To finish the hike, rock scramble down the other side of Bearfence. In addition to the lower falls route, you can adventure further to the upper falls (5.3 miles) or do an even longer and challenging pursuit via the Cedar Run Trail (~7.5 miles) see below! Locations are given by mile markers along Skyline Drive. A shorter family trek explores the easily reached talus slopes of Blackrock Mountain. The North District of Shenandoah National Park spans from the Front Royal Entrance Station at the town of Front Royal off I-66 to the Thornton Gap Entrance Station at U.S. Rt. Hi! The Trailhead:From the intersection of US 211 and US 522 in Sperryville, take US 522 south for .8 mile to VA 231. After descending North Marshall Mountain, youll cross Skyline Drive and begin the ascent over South Marshall Mountain, with more nice views to enjoy. With plenty of natural sights, from birdwatching to wildlife, and a great view of the surrounding mountains, few hikes beat this one when searching for an adventure thats suitable for everyone. Best Hikes In Shenandoah National Park Old Rag Loop Trail Black Rock Summit Hike Whiteoak Canyon Trail Mary's Rock Stony Man/ Little Stony Man Sugarloaf Loop Bearfence Mountain Trail Lewis Falls Hawksbill Mountain Rose River Falls Loop Hike Dark Hollow Falls Trail Final Thoughts On Best Shenandoah Hikes Elevation Gain: 748 Feet. Thank you so much, in advance! Its so popular that a ticket is required for each hiker, though they only cost $1. Parking: Park at the Bearfence Mountain Trailhead, which is at mile marker 56.4 on Skyline Drive. Shenandoah National Park is among the best natural spaces in America, and for hikers of all levels, there are great adventures to be had. At trail junctions, you will see a concrete post. Why You Must Hike This Hike: Stand atop cliffs rising 3,000 feet above Shenandoah Valley, soaking in views from breezy Stony Man. 14 Awesome Places to Go Camping near Washington, DC, 15 Jaw-Dropping Hikes In and Near Washington, DC for All Levels, 12 Breathtaking Hikes Near Richmond, VA for All Levels, Osprey Tempest 20L Pack Review: Tried & Tested (2023), 18 Absolutely Spectacular Hikes In & Near Seattle for All Levels, 12 Best Hiking Backpacks for Women for any Adventure (2022), 14 Best Hiking Backpacks for Any Adventure (2022). Somewhat like the A.T., Shenandoah is a long linear park, and there are differ-ent access points depending on where you are coming from. 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT) run through Shenandoah National Park. It is 13 miles, which is a big difference that meant being out later than we wished and getting a couple of blisters. The Trailhead:The hike starts at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, milepost 4.6 on Skyline Drive. Join the AT northbound. FYI, Marys Rock pin is also in wrong spot on map. At about one mile into the hike, the trail turns to the right and you can hear the waterfall. This is an extremely photogenic hike with the small waterfalls and pools of water. Many of the trails I went on in Shenandoah were pretty tough and this one was actually pretty easy. Strike up the north slope of Old Rag, emerging onto a massive granite slab, revealing far fetched panoramas. Blackrock Summit. The book says youll get spectacular views from this scenic trail. From the top of Stony Man you are treated to spectacular views. These trails range from short, easy summit hikes, gorgeous walks to waterfalls, to challenging climbs up the tallest mountains. We are very happy to have discovered your website and plan to use your site for future travel/hiking tips! Expect this hike to take 6 to 8 hours. After completing this gorgeous waterfall-filled hike, you can swing by the Big Meadows Wayside, grab a cold beverage, and check out the souvenirs. Old Rag is the toughest hike on this list but it is also our favorite. Park in the Panorama Parking Lot. Enter a maze of boulders, with some bona fide rock scrambling to reach the summit with eye-popping views. National parks can close at any time due to weather events, wildfires, or governmental shutdowns. If you want to take the hike in a less intense manner, some hikers say that the clockwise trek isnt as strenuous as the traditional method. Retrace your steps to rejoin the trail. Youll climb up and over a few large boulders on the trail. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Start this hike first thing in the morning to hike the trail before it gets crowded. The 70ft Dark Hollow Falls is one of the most famous attractions in Shenandoah National Park. If you only have one day in the park, I recommend one waterfall hike (Dark Hollow Falls) and one to two summit hikes. The trail descends from the South River Picnic Area at mile . Thanks. Park at Fishers Gap Overlook and cross Skyline Drive to the trailhead. Turn left on VA 600 and follow it for 3.7 miles to Berry Hollow. The granite-topped peak delivers incredible views and a rock scramble along the way. Due to the waterfalls and streams, some rocks and leaves may be slippery. Be sure to pack a lunch if you want to spend time around the waterfalls and plenty of water if you plan to hike past lower falls and explore what else Whiteoak Canyon has to offer. One of the best ways to connect with the natural beauty of Shenandoah National Park is to go camping. Waterfall Height: 93 ft. Location: Virginia Acreage: 199,200 acres Visitation: Over a million people enter Shenandoah National Park's gates each year, most taking the Skyline Drive to vantage points along 105 miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Without a doubt, this is the best thing to do in Shenandoah National Park. In addition, a wealth of attractions lies outside the park to enhance your Shenandoah National Park experience. Is there a hike or hikes near each other to see a summit and waterfalls? Reservations: Booking recommended. Cutoff Trail, turn right and rock hop across Jeremys Run. After crossing the road follow the AT until you see the signpost for Gravel Springs Hut. Little Stony Man is the small rocky outcropping below. Marshall while on the AT and the quiet seclusion of the Bluff Trail on the return portion of the loop. There are a select number of trails that start at . Or you can engage other hikes, to Stony Man and Hawksbill, where lofty heights reveal more views, biodiversity, and park history with every footfall among these stately highlands. For an epic hiking experience, put Old Rag on your list. Watching a sunrise in Shenandoah National Park is one of the five absolute highlights in this magnificent park in central Virginia. Locations are given by mile markers along Skyline Drive. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 10 min to complete. Big Meadows Area Map. The view from the top is pretty sweet, too. Following the AT, youll drop down to Gravel Springs Gap and cross Skyline Drive once again. There are many smaller waterfalls along the hike and like most of the park, plentiful wildlife, wildflowers, and natural features will captivate you along the way. Descend a little farther to get to the base of the waterfall. By E1660RDjohnb. In my opinion, this hike is the most thrilling on this list. The Northern District is the closest to the population center of Northern Virginia and you can expect crowds on weekends and other peak periods. If you want to add length and MORE views to your hike, you can do Little Stony Man. Continue to the left when the Dickey Ridge Trail merges into your path. At 4,040 feet, Stony Man is the second highest peak in Shenandoah National Park (Hawksbill is #1). Limberlost Walking Trail. To navigate the scramble, follow the blue painted markers along the way. If you get the chance to hike this trail in the early summer, you will be gifted magnificent white flowers from the mountain laurel bloom. travel@rei.com 1 (800) 622-2236. Get here early to ensure you get a parking space and to hike the trail before the bottlenecks occur on the rock scrambling sections. Because it is an easily accessible preserve delivering national park level scenery. The hut is a great place to take a break. The 2.6-mile hike involves hiking down the mountain first and one stream crossing. Undertake the following 10 must-do hikes at Shenandoah and you will go away with a montage of experiences reflecting the true nature of Virginias largest and wildest national park. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. If youre looking for a quick kid-friendly hike thats not too remote, this is a great option! Distance: 3 miles | Difficulty: Strenuous | Total Ascent: 1,000 feet | Time: 2 to 3 hours. Even with the peak sitting at 4,011ft, its a relatively accessible and easy hike to the summit only gaining 400ft of elevation. In marshy areas, salamanders are common for the amphibian lover in your life. Skyline Drive winds its way across the crest of the Blue Ridge, cutting across the park's heart from north to south. A fine eye for detail. Hi Johnny, and thank you for this article! Parking: Park in the Passamaquoddy Loop Hike Stony Man parking lot. Explore job opportunities and employment at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Hawksbill Trail (if you do it as a loop with the AT), Sugarloaf Keyser Run Fire Road Hogback Mountain. We created this guide to the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park so you can find a trail to explore, no matter your experience level. The water falls are nice (there are also smaller ones) and walking along Doyles River is amazing. From the Hawksbill Gap parking lot on Skyline Drive, its a massive descent down to White Oak Falls and then a steep, strenuous hike up the Whiteoak Canyon Trail. But have no fear; if you miss the bloom, this hike is still beautiful and serene year-round. Rich vegetation and large wild land helps support an impressive array of mammals over 50 species including the black bear. Trail Correspondents 2023: Apply to Join the Team! This is located in Skyland. Distance: 5 miles Turn right on VA 231 and follow it 8 miles to VA 601, Peola Mills Road. Park your car at the Jenkins Gap Overlook between MP 12 and 13 on Skyline Drive. The hike is 6.5 mile (10 km) round trip hike with a climb of 1850 ft. marking it as strenuous according to the NPS Calculator. Hiking Shenandoah National Park 3rd Book PDFs/Epub Download and Read Books in PDF " Hiking Shenandoah National Park 3rd " book is now available, Get the book in PDF, Epub and Mobi for Free. Skyline Drive runs down the backbone of the park, along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A 1-mile loop trail, it runs past a stunning viewpoint atop a talus slope, offering amazing views of Massanutten Mountain, the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. Skyline Drive Mile 84.4. Shenandoah National Park is a hiker's wonderland, with challenging treks, enchanting sights, popular trails and tranquil escapes. Dark Hollow Falls Trail is one of the most stunning waterfall hikes in Shenandoah National Park - especially in spring when mountain laurel dots the trail with pink and autumn when the leaves turn yellow. If thats you, Rose River is a must-do hike. It can be windy at the peak, but the views are well worth it! Compton Peak gets to round out the list of best hikes in Shenandoah National Park not so much for the hike itself, but for the unique rock formation located near the summit. Walk the AT until you get back to the parking lot. Cheers, Julie. It can be difficult to find one hike that can take you to spectacular viewpoints, forested areas, and an easy-to-navigate space. Why You Must Hike This Hike: The hike over The Pinnacle to Marys Rock traverses the most spectacular section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) through Shenandoah National Park. The Frazier Discovery Trail leaves from the wayside near the entrance to Loft Mountain Campground. It includes a great location for a snack break, plus a pleasant stream crossing. Its a loop trail thats rated moderate at ~3.3 miles. Take a right on VA 601 and follow it .3 mile cross the Hughes River, then veer right, staying with VA 601. Join us as we celebrate National Park Week this year from April 22 to 30, 2023. Distance: 4 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Total Ascent: 1,000 feet | Time: 2 to 3 hours. Visitor Center. This is my least favorite hike on this list and I recommend skipping it. Hiking 101 All Hikes | Sort by Name All Hikes | Sort by Location Hikes to Old Rag Short Hikes | 0-2 Miles Medium Hikes | 3-6 Miles Long Hikes | 7+ Miles Hikes to Waterfalls Hikes for Kids Hikes to Avoid Crowds Here are some recommended hikes, providing a sample of the best hikes and walking trails in Shenandoah National Park: Hikes under 2.5 Miles Fox Hollow Trail Milepost 4.6 1.2 miles Compton Peak Milepost 10.4 2.2 miles An easy hike with two viewpoints. One of the easiest hikes in the park, Blackrock Summit also offers some of the best views in Shenandoah National Park. Now, it is a strenuous, uphill walk back to Big Meadows. Turn left onto the Salamander Trail and follow this for 0.7 miles. . The Limberlost Trail is by far the easiest and most accessible trail in the Shenandoah National Park. Pick up the Appalachian Trail on your right as you top out in the picnic area, before the road starts looping around. The minimum number of people occupying a single site is 7, and the maximum is 20. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 46 min to complete. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Shenandoah National Park Walking Hiking Stick Medallion - Virginia at the best online prices at eBay! In autumn, the falls are framed by beautiful trees filled with yellow leaves, giving a unique and aesthetic view that ranks high among the parks features. This hike is at its best from April to October, otherwise, winter conditions may make the rocky terrain slick. This is the longer, tougher trail to the peak. Dark Hollow Falls Located at Mile 50.7 of Skyline Dr. From the top of Stony Man you are treated to spectacular views. The Trailhead:From the town of Madison, on US 29 north of Charlottesville and south of Culpepper, drive north on VA 231 for 5 miles to VA 670. Are you looking for more waterfalls? Plus, on this trail, you will hike up a steep, strenuous trail to the top of Hogback Mountain. In this post, we have 10 great hikes in Shenandoah National Park to share with you. There is a fork in the trail near the overlook. You can marvel at the 67-foot Rose River Fall, pass by an almost hundred-year-old cemetery (Cave Cemetery) and filled-in old copper mine shaft, cross bridges, listen to the sounds of lush streams flowing, and swim in fresh mountain pools. A man-made observation platform showing the cardinal points enhance this highest of Virginia national park panoramas. Turn right and follow the AT north. Like a backbone extending down the Blue Ridge, the AT runs the length of the park and attracts large numbers of day hikers and weekend overnighters,, With over 500 miles of trails, Shenandoah National Park offers some great opportunities for those who are ready to take a hike. Bearfence Mountain Trail, 6. Lots of helpful information. For Virginia Citizen And Business Services Visit www.virginia.gov. Waterfall at the trail junction. Turn up Jones Run to find the ancient tulip trees. Once you finish soaking in the outstanding views of Blackrock Summit with other hikers, enter one of the parks more remote areas on the Trayfoot Mountain Trail then the Furnace Mountain Trail, availing maximum solitude. AboutCareersPartner With UsPrivacy Policy. Stop by Dundo Picnic Area, once the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp. If thats you, Rose River is a must-do hike. Many recommend the Rose River Trail as one of the best hikes in Shenandoah to take during the winter months because you can see some surreal ice formations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The hiking landscape of Shenandoah National Park (SNP) is dominated by the Appalachian Trail. Try it at night. The main spine of the park stretches for 70 miles end-to-end, dividing bucolic Shenandoah Valley from the Piedmont to the east. The Channel Islands National Park is comprised of a small archipelago of 5 islands off the coast of southern California. After hiking some rolling terrain, youll cross Skyline Drive and begin the steady ascent of North Marshall Mountain. Extremely popular hike along a short trail, leading to a beautiful waterfall. Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive are less than 1 hours from the Wash-ington-area Dulles airport in northern Virginia. Explore Big Meadows. This well-loved Shenandoah classic is a difficult, yet doable trek. I beg to differ. The hike starts about 4 miles south of the Thornton Gap entrance station, a few miles east of Luray, not in the south. Shenandoah was our kids introduction to hiking, and what a beautiful place to start. More a walking path than hiking trail, there are plenty of benches along the way to relax. If you get the chance to hike this trail in the early summer, you will be gifted magnificent white flowers from the mountain laurel bloom. Theres also a swimming hole if you need to cool off, and teeming wildlife all around you. There are also no required scrambles or cliffside walks, so this is a favorite for hikers who cant stand heights. When you reach the Appalachian Trail, continue straight about a quarter of a mile if you want to grab a snack at the Elkwallow Wayside. The Rose River Loop Trail ends at the junction with the Rose River Fire Road and Dark Hollow Falls Trail. Learn more about lodging and camping. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. To reach the summit of Old Rag, you climb through, up, and over enormous boulders. Even though we have spent a lot of time here, we havent even come close to hiking all 500 miles. Dark Hollow Falls Trail is one of the best hikes in Shenandoah if youre looking for waterfalls and wildlife. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. It is an uphill walk the entire way. Top Trails: Shenandoah National Park - Johnny Molloy 2018-07-03 Hike, backpack, bring the kidsthere's a trail for you in Shenandoah. To get up to the summit, you will climb up a short, sheer rock wall and then up and over a series of enormous, jagged boulders. Thanks for your content. Once youre on the Snead Farm Road youll see trails branching off to the left and right. 211. Within Shenandoah National Park youll find over 500 miles of hiking trails, offering you many opportunities to explore the backcountry away from Skyline Drive and the busy pedestrian highway of the AT. The rewards for this hike far outstrip the effort needed. Is this possible, and if so, where do we start, how do we get there, and what do we do once we get there? Reach the confluence of Laurel Prong and Mill Creek, where Rapidan Camp lies in a lovely wooded setting. You may even run into an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker! If you have any questions about the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. 2 Shelter (at the summit of Hawksbill), Distance: 2.6 to 3.6 miles | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Total Ascent: 800 to 1200 feet | Time: 2 to 3 hours. Headed to Shenandoah National Park? You will follow well-maintained trails the whole way, but a longer distance and large amount of elevation change clock this hike in higher intensity. From the hut take the blue-blazed Bluff Trail to the left. The one good viewpoint, Little Hogback Mountain Overlook, can easily be reached on a short walk from Skyline Drive. From there head south a short distance on a yellow-blazed horse trail until you reach the concrete signpost at the intersection with the Neighbor Mountain Trail. Went on in Shenandoah National Park is a good choice can expect crowds on and., turn right on VA 231 and follow it 8 miles to 601... The views are well worth it get spectacular views Mountain Overlook, can easily be on... Terrain slick the quiet seclusion of the easiest way to hike the trail descends from the Wayside near Overlook! Area at mile 50.7 of Skyline Dr. from the hut is a fork in Picnic! Salamander trail and follow it.3 mile cross the Hughes River, then right... 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