Trail Info

TRAIL DISTANCE: 5.0 Miles
TRAIL HEAD/DIRECTIONS: Skyline Drive Mile Marker 22
TRAIL TYPE: Loop
TRAIL GRADE:  Moderate (2)
TRAIL PARKING: 20 spots or less
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Yes, ages 8+

You will love:  A remote & limited distance trail with bountiful big forest feel, small brooks and easy to manage terrain.
You need to know: 

• Fee required to access the park.
  
• This trail is SNP Backcountry, no fires allowed.
• Be tick aware
• Be bear Aware

What to pack

• 1 Water bottles
• hiking shoes or sneakers
• light snack
• Bug Spray

Extras

SNP Trail Finder

The Experience

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Your adventure begins at the Skyline Drive mile marker 22 Piney Branch Upper Trail parking lot. Begin your hike at the lower area of the lot ( a clear park sign is present) to hop onto the Piney Branch trail (Blue Marker). Immediately notice the wildly beautiful and large trees, with an array of branching. Truly magical! The trail continues forward crossing over the Appalachian Trail (AT) and within 0.3 you will intersect with the Pole Bridge Link trail, turn left here. The trail begins to navigate downward at a steady and manageable pace. The terrain is consistently compacted dirt, roots and stones. The trail slowly becomes rockier but still manageable. The trail is now fully inundated with big trees, mountain laurel and in the spring your trail is blessed with wildflowers.  Continue for 1.1 miles until the intersection with Sugarloaf Loop, here take another left to join the Sugarloaf Loop trail. The trail will encounter a few small brooks lined with dense moss coverings. As the Sugarloaf continues it begins to head upward through a few groves of mountain laurel on its way to an intersection with Skyline Drive after 1.2 miles. Cross over Skyline Drive and turn left onto the Appalachian Trail (white marker) . The trail meanders quietly for 0.2 miles until an intersection with the Overall Run Falls trail (tallest fall in the park!!) read more here. Continue on the AT approaching a few rockier areas but in general its a much ado about nothing affair until a return to Skyline Drive. Cross once more and head upward and onward to a series of small rock outcrops providing a pocket sized view of the Luray Valley. These views are perfect for a small snack or lunch break! Continue your ramble for 0.3 miles until your return to the Piney Branch Upper Trail, turn right here and within a few hundred feet is your parking lot. 
HIKE ON!