Trail Info
Distance8.9 Miles
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Trail RatingVery Strenuous
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Trail TypeCircuit
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The Experience
You will love: One of the best in Shenandoah, great distance hike with challenging rock scrambles and a postcard 360 degree view.
You need to know: Fee required to access the park. Reservations required to hike. Reserve here
One of Virginia’s finest hikes and most popular. This very popular hike is known far and wide for its strenuous climb (elevation gain of over 2,000 feet), its more than a mile of rock scramble, its three false summits and its postcard view. The National Park Service maintains the parking area (fee required) which has a mighty nice parking lot at the trail head.
To start your adventure, at the trail head follow the new trail behind the ranger station for 1.0 mile to the intersection with Old Rag trail. Go left and begin a fair ascent for the next 1.7 miles headed towards the rock scramble. The trail is single track and rugged, with healthy dose of small rocks, compacted dirt and roots. The trail slowly recedes from the forest canopy and emerges amongst a growing field of boulders and perch views. What’s the rock scramble like? The scramble encompasses three false summits; on the positive side each summit boasts its own remarkable view of the valley. The scramble will test your balance on handholds and footholds alike and you’ll find yourself boulder hopping and sometimes squeezing between them. This hike will wear on you, remember to take breaks, know your limits and take your time. Once you have completed the final summit, return to the trail heading right to complete the loop. The back half of the trail is a steady descent (knee pounders) that can have tricky footing on small rocks and roots. The trail flattens out for the last 1.7 miles on the fire road. Lastly, I leave you with this… come early or come during the week, this trail is popular, and you will need to give yourself between 4 to 6 hours to complete. If you are looking for serenity now…..there are other trail options. This trail is not meant for kids younger than 13.
You need to know: Fee required to access the park. Reservations required to hike. Reserve here
One of Virginia’s finest hikes and most popular. This very popular hike is known far and wide for its strenuous climb (elevation gain of over 2,000 feet), its more than a mile of rock scramble, its three false summits and its postcard view. The National Park Service maintains the parking area (fee required) which has a mighty nice parking lot at the trail head.
To start your adventure, at the trail head follow the new trail behind the ranger station for 1.0 mile to the intersection with Old Rag trail. Go left and begin a fair ascent for the next 1.7 miles headed towards the rock scramble. The trail is single track and rugged, with healthy dose of small rocks, compacted dirt and roots. The trail slowly recedes from the forest canopy and emerges amongst a growing field of boulders and perch views. What’s the rock scramble like? The scramble encompasses three false summits; on the positive side each summit boasts its own remarkable view of the valley. The scramble will test your balance on handholds and footholds alike and you’ll find yourself boulder hopping and sometimes squeezing between them. This hike will wear on you, remember to take breaks, know your limits and take your time. Once you have completed the final summit, return to the trail heading right to complete the loop. The back half of the trail is a steady descent (knee pounders) that can have tricky footing on small rocks and roots. The trail flattens out for the last 1.7 miles on the fire road. Lastly, I leave you with this… come early or come during the week, this trail is popular, and you will need to give yourself between 4 to 6 hours to complete. If you are looking for serenity now…..there are other trail options. This trail is not meant for kids younger than 13.
