The Experience
You will love: Big vista views of the Shenandoah Valley , small rock outcrops and short distance hike!
You need to know:
Your adventure begins at the parking lot, hang a right and hop on the Appalachian trail (white marker) head north until the intersection with the Riprap trail. The at trail has small elevation gain until the intersection with the Riprap trail. make a left and join the Riprap trail.. This trail is actually a 10 mile loop and but for your purposes today, it will be your route to Chimney Rock. The Riprap trail is well marked and used enough that its well managed too. Your adventure continues on the Riprap and is navigationally easy but the terrain becomes more about roots, small rocks and the ups and downs of the trail topography. A good pair of trail shoes are your best friend here especially during wetter periods in the spring and summer months. As you make your way, the forest happily encroaches the trail making it narrow for one hiker, but rest assure your first rock outcrop is here! the Calvary rocks are a small outcrop with westerly views, the outcrop is a great pitstop for a bit of water. Continue from here to chimney rock (0.3 miles) for a larger outcrop, bigger views and a great place to sit about and enjoy the surroundings. To return to your car, retrace your steps.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
HIKE ON!
You need to know:
- Fee required to access park.
- Use Swift Run Gap Entrance
- Trail parking is found off mile marker 90 on Skyline Drive
Your adventure begins at the parking lot, hang a right and hop on the Appalachian trail (white marker) head north until the intersection with the Riprap trail. The at trail has small elevation gain until the intersection with the Riprap trail. make a left and join the Riprap trail.. This trail is actually a 10 mile loop and but for your purposes today, it will be your route to Chimney Rock. The Riprap trail is well marked and used enough that its well managed too. Your adventure continues on the Riprap and is navigationally easy but the terrain becomes more about roots, small rocks and the ups and downs of the trail topography. A good pair of trail shoes are your best friend here especially during wetter periods in the spring and summer months. As you make your way, the forest happily encroaches the trail making it narrow for one hiker, but rest assure your first rock outcrop is here! the Calvary rocks are a small outcrop with westerly views, the outcrop is a great pitstop for a bit of water. Continue from here to chimney rock (0.3 miles) for a larger outcrop, bigger views and a great place to sit about and enjoy the surroundings. To return to your car, retrace your steps.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
- 1 water bottle
- hiking shoes
- heavy snack
- Bug spray
HIKE ON!
