My favorite hike in Virginia!…read more I love the rock scrambling that this hike has. The view at the top is worth the hike! There are many spots with great views of the mountains around. Because it is a longer hike and the rock scrambling it makes it a harder hike than many others in Virginia. It's a hike you won't forget! Make sure to bring lots of water and snacks.

I've been wanting to tackle the Old Rag hike for quite some time. My friends from Outdoor Afro…read moreorganized a group hike. I couldn't resist! We began our hike at 0930. I've gotta say, I was surprised at our starting location. I didn't have to drive through the 'booth' and pay to actually enter the park. That was weird to me, but our hike leader explained that, during the busy season, rangers are on site to check for passes. So.... I assume you'd have to purchase a pass online and place it on your dashboard. I'm a Veteran so I have that pass so I couldn't tell you how that works. Right off the bat you're climbing. No easing into your hike, you're THERE, at elevation. Of course, the higher you climb the mountain the more elevation you gain, but at the start you're already gaining. There are a lot of false summits. You think you've made it to the top, but you're not there yet! Ha! Because it was January, the trees were barren, so I could see the vastness of the forest. There was a bit of ice, but nothing that impeded our climb. I had always planned to do the hike in fall, to see the colors, but this was great as well. It was a perfect day. And then there's the rock scramble-----AMAZING! I loved climbing over, under, and through the rocks. There are times you have to jump over a small gap or squeeze between rocks, but I was down for it all! I was on the trip with people who had done the hike before so that helped in a few situations where I could have gotten lost or didn't quite know how to get over a rock. Once we finally made it to the actual peak, the view was amazing! The entire hike was awesome! Some of the rock placements, like, how does a rock just sit in a certain spot, have you wondering HOW. It's that 'Awe' factor. We had some slower hikers and we didn't want to leave anybody behind. So, that brought us to the point where we were coming down in the dark. Luckily, I had my head lamp and so did many others. A quick note to be prepared for anything. Those worst case scenarios are possible. It's a GREAT hike and I'll definitely do it again with ONLY seasoned hikers.

While the park is not far from the highway, it doesn't feel that way at all. Going to the main…read moreparking lot requires a drive over some gravel roads and across a one-lane bridge past a vineyard, eventually leading to some facilities and a self-pay station. The park is riverside, but trails lead up a considerable grade, and I was huffing and puffing well before exhausting what was available. It was a quiet space with dynamic flora. The views aren't what you get on top of the mountain range, but it's a different kind of pleasure.

This review is for the natural playground. Sharing pictures because I couldn't really tell what was…read morehere in advance. Unique, sustainable design for a park. We stayed about 15 minutes, pack your bug spray!

This is a 1.5 mile out and another 1.5 miles back for a total of 3 miles round trip hike to the…read morelower falls . The hike is not too bad majority is tripping hazards , it has a few spots that get a little steep . As someone who has had double digit knee surgeries I would say it falls in between easy and moderate . Took just under an hour to make it out to the lower 3 falls . Now the trail gets very steep and rough after the 3 lower falls so unless you are in some good shape you might want to just take in the lower falls and call it good .

Beautiful hike with lots of waterfalls. The trail was supposed to be a loop but we couldn't find…read morewhere to cross above the waterfall so ended up doing an out and back.

Great trail for off-roading. There are some muddy spots even without any rain the past few days…read more The trail is north-south so you can enter from either end. However, traffic can be two way at spots but the trail is designed only for one way traffic so a little maneuvering and road-sharing is courteous and expected. The full length at 10 miles per hour will take at least 2 hours. There are spots to stop at, such as a big clearing, a giant pond, and other smaller areas to pull over for rest and scenery intake. The trail is rocky, muddy, gravelly, and sandy. You probably won't have service so make sure you have good directions, ample water, and capable vehicles.

Did this trail with a stock 2018 Jeep Renegade Sport, and 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. We had a group…read moreof about 25 with us mostly Jeeps but we had a wide body F150 and a Dodge Ram Laramie and they did great with us. If it has rained there are muddy patches on the trail unlike what some people have commented, there is a part where you go through the part of the river that goes down the mountain too. If you have a Jeep and want to get the Jeep badge for completing this trail download the Jeep app and check in at the beginning of the trail! There is a bathroom located on the map on the trails website.

A great hike that I would rate as intermediately challenging. No rock scrambling or anything like…read morethat, but it is quite steep for a while, one must be prepared. It's a popular spot at the top (stunning vistas of the park). I definitely recommend getting there early. We arrived in the afternoon and it was super crowded. Parking only on the side of Skyline Drive and then a 5-10 minute walk just to the trailhead. From the southern entrance to the park, it was about a 20 minute drive along Skyline Drive just to get here, so it does take some prep time before you even start hiking. As mentioned, it's a steep incline for most of the first half. What I loved the most was how many people coming down from the top would encourage you going up, saying "you're over halfway there," or "it's worth it; keep going!" and was nice to return the favor on our way down. Fast hikers can get to the top in 30 minutes, but most will need more. The views at the top are definitely worth the hike. Beautiful view of the Shenandoah Valley. There is a small shelter if it's raining, and a lovely little stone balcony overlook. There are enough outcroppings that you could have a small picnic. Word to the wise, make sure you have a plan for relieving yourself before the hike. There are no facilities. If you like beautiful views, hiking, or being out in nature, come check out the Hawksbill Trail.

We visited Hawksbill Trail via the trailhead off Skyline Drive. There is 860ft of elevation and…read more600ft happen in the first .5 mile. A bit of a doozy. If you go this way, make it to the top, and turn right, it's only another .1 mile to the summit. Beautiful views and very peaceful. Good place to stop for a lunch break. We got a little turned around though and ended up walking to another part of the trail when we were trying to do the loop. Overall, we like the part of the trail that we hiked.

Often times, the national parks get the best territory and the states get leftovers. However, the…read moreShenandoah River State Park, down the mountain from well known Skyline Drive and its accompanying federal parkland, is by no means inferior. A rural drive leads to a visitor center, trails, an overlook, river access, and campgrounds. I had time for only a brief visit, but the views were majestic. It would be an excellent place to return for a hike. As with most of Virginia's state parks, there is a modest entrance fee, but I'm sure it's well worth it.

I travel and stay at a lot of parks during the course of the year, and I have only repeated a few…read moreof them. This location is incredible, rich with things to do, views to see, and adventures to have with enough time. The cabins are gorgeous, fair warning that there is no television, but honestly who cares?! I had great phone signal which almost never happens on these excursions, and I loved making a fire in my fireplace and sitting on the porch with coffee for sunrise, which I could see from Cabin 11. This cabin also was at the end and felt private, even though I could see my neighbors (who had set up Christmas lights! How fun!) There's also a wonderful hiking trail right by these cabins, 10 and 11, the Red Tail Ridge, that was semi-short (2.5 miles or so if desired to create a loop with Big Oak) and had views of the river and Shenandoah valley below!

We were pumped to try this easy trail but quickly found out it's more moderate than easy. My…read morehusband has a broken vertebrae in his back so he had to turn around. I decided to push forward and was so happy I did. Such a breathtaking hike. The falls are gorgeous and the path is very nice. They have steps built in to many steep places that makes it very easy to navigate. It was a very warm spring day and I did not bring enough water. Bring water or at least a filter so you can have as much drinking water as you need. I enjoyed the hike down but was quickly humbled on the way back up! When I say breathtaking I mean I was out of breath and breathing hard on the way up. So worth it though. I actually hiked down to the Rose River Loop Trail and that's where I turned around to go back up and it's like a 945 ft elevation gain in 1.5 miles. I had to take some breaks and even cooled myself down a bit in the water. What an epic hike though and I even saw a deer!

Amazing waterfall! It was well worth it. It gets steep coming back up but it's nothing anyone can't…read moredo.

11 years later, Saturday June 25th I finally came back to finish what I started…read more . Let me say, I hike a lot! I don't mind 10 miles flat or up and down. This trail however, was brutal! Rocks, boulders and more rocks. That was my trail path. It takes more time and more energy. Know this* My foot hit the path at 1pm. I got in my car for home at 7:39pm. Not bad considering the situation, but tbh, I didn't think I was going to make it. It was exhausting but great part is, it's a round trip. Not one way, turn around and go back. Start out on Massanutten trail to reach the TV station (hence Signal knob) then return to parking on the Tuscarora trail. So silent, unlike the A.T and NPS in the area. The Tuscarora is more wild and silent. How I feel about it, anyway. . I need a badge for hiking this for real. You know how you get tired and you don't pick your feet up high enough you stub your feet on the rocks? Well with the trail being nothing but rocks, my toe is feeling it. Check my toe pic. I literally started cursing the trail everytime I stubbed my toe. Such an adventure!!! I love to hate it.

One of my new favorite local hikes - this 10.5 mile loop is a great workout and only 1.5 hours from…read moreDC. This trail also has more than its fair share of gorgeous vistas. In the first few miles, you'll climb over 2,000 feet and be rewarded by a view of the surrounding mountains. The valley below acts as a fog basin some mornings, making for a beautiful sight. The Fort Valley overlook comes a bit later. This one is great in the fall and winter, but offers less of a view when the leaves are out. When you reach Signal Knob, there is a panoramic view of Strasburg. This area is more developed, but still picturesque and a perfect lunch spot. Be careful when hiking this trail after a storm. The ascent is narrow, steep, and rocky at points - icy or wet rocks add to the difficulty factor. Solid shoes and sure feet are a plus! After all that hard work, you probably need some fresh apple cinnamon donuts. Happily, that's easy to accomplish. On your way back to DC, stop at exit 13 and pick some up from the Apple House.

Oct, 2025. The Stony Man summit (elevation 4,003') is accessible via multiple hiking routes in…read moreShenandoah National Park. My husband and I parked at the lot at mile marker 41.7 on Skyline Drive; the trailhead and an informational sign are easy to access, just off the parking lot. This is a lollipop trail that is rated moderate in AllTrails. My watch recorded a total of 1.8 miles total with an elevation gain of 338'. This is a well-maintained, uphill-climbing trail that leads to overviews with beautiful views. Some quick, random notes: *Once you reach the circular part of the lollipop, the trail to the right is rocky; the path to the left is smoother. You can elect to take one up, and the other down. *We visited in mid-October during leaf-peeping season. The parking lot and the trails near Stony Man were very crowded mid-day. *As you approach the summit, most hikers go to the rocky overview on the right, where there are sweeping views of the valley below. Note, however, that there is another very nice, and smoother rock, overview just five minutes back, just off the main trail. *Shenandoah National Park charges an admission fee.

Amazing trail. We started off at the Stony Man trailhead and up to the summit. Early April so it…read morewas not buggy. The trails were pretty rocky so it could classify as a easy hike but for some it could be moderate. Know your limits. Take breaks. On our descent it was rainy and the rocks became slippery. We took the horse trail back to the parking lot and that was less rocky and slippery. The views from the summit were incredible. Definitely worth the climb!