We could take in a few 1-2 mile hikes or a couple 2-3 miles hikes or one hike up to 4 miles. #5 of 15 Outdoor Activities in Shenandoah National Park "From the Panorama parking lot, you can follow the trail to Mary's Rock Summit, a bit of a hike to reach but the views at top are incredible." This 4.8 mile round trip hike descends from the Skyline Drive 1200’ to a beautiful 86’ waterfall. I do want to note that this viewpoint has two trails. The trail leads down from the parking area following a good path on mainly even ground, with a few rocky patches. "The trail passes a number of great viewpoints - some accessible from Skyline Drive so you'll see a lot of day hikers, but many were just good viewpoints along the trail (see the Guthook App to find them all) - som..." "Whether you're a day hiker or a section hiker (I'm omitting thru-hikers, since they'll inevitably do this part), I highly recommend strolling through the Shenandoah National Park." There are short, easy, and accessible trails loops for … if you are looking for some other cool trails near D.C., check out this post! One of the best loops in the Shenandoah National Park, White Oak Canyon is the trail to take for waterfall chasers. P.S. Skyline Drive is the backbone of Shenandoah National Park. You can begin to reserve the campsites online in May. Going down is a lot easier than going up. Shenandoah National Park covers the rolling, tree-topped terrain of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. 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, in addition to the annual thru-hiker migration. The trail rises through the forest and ends at a rocky viewpoint. Photo by: Melissa Moore. If you are looking at the map it is called the ridge trail. If you want a more moderate hike with the views of the valley, then check out this hike. These are the best places for budget-friendly hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park: Popular Shenandoah National Park Categories, Commonly searched for in Shenandoah National Park, "If your family is athletic, do it, but if you’re borderline with hiking, "Whether you're a day hiker or a section hiker (I'm omitting thru-hikers, since they'll inevitably do this part), I highly recommend strolling through the Shenandoah National, "From the Panorama parking lot, you can follow the, "... of all, there is an extensive amount of rock outcropping so if you like rock scrambling, it's possible to get away from the main area where most people congregate and find a more solitude perch to, "We were lucky to see the flowering mountain laurel, but this is also a good, "I hiked all the way down to the base of the trail and was met with a spectacular 83-, "We recommend starting at the Jones Run Trailhead and extending your hike to a portion of the Doyles River, "The volunteer strongly suggested hiking down to Jones Run Falls and back up, then taking the Doyles River, "The final 100 yards before the Falls overlook, crosses a stream so the rocks are slippery and the, "Cedar Run - Whiteoak Circuit Hike 7.3-mile circuit 6.25-hours hiking time Very strenuous 2,794-foot elevation gain From Hawksbill Gap parking (mile 45.6), take Cedar Run, Shenandoah National Park Holiday Packages, Family Resorts in Shenandoah National Park, Shenandoah National Park Pet Friendly Campsites, Hotels near (SHD) Shenandoah Valley Airport, All things to do in Shenandoah National Park, Outdoor Activities in Shenandoah National Park, Jogging Paths & Tracks in Shenandoah National Park, Hiking Trails in Shenandoah National Park, Nature & Parks in Shenandoah National Park, Sights & Landmarks in Shenandoah National Park, Spas & Wellness in Shenandoah National Park, Traveller Resources in Shenandoah National Park, Classes & Workshops in Shenandoah National Park, Concerts & Shows in Shenandoah National Park, Zoos & Aquariums in Shenandoah National Park, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Shenandoah National Park, Transportation in Shenandoah National Park, Stony Man Mountain Hike: Tickets & Tours‎, Mary's Rock Summit Trail: Tickets & Tours‎, Massanutten Storybook Trail: Tickets & Tours‎, South River Falls Trail: Tickets & Tours‎, Jones Run Falls Trailhead: Tickets & Tours‎, Things to do near (ORF) Norfolk Intl Airport, See more hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park on Tripadvisor, See more hiking trails for couples in Shenandoah National Park on Tripadvisor, See more budget-friendly hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park on Tripadvisor. When most people think of Shenandoah National Park, they think of the infamous Skyline Drive. The Appalachian Trail runs the length of the park and is a star attraction for day hikers, weekend… Read More. Did you know that I have a group for women hikers? Shenandoah is not only known for its breathtaking Skyline Drive but also its beautiful, flowing, high waterfalls. Another great place to take a family hike is the Stony Man Trail in the Shenandoah National Park. This is popularly considered the best hike in the entire park and would be #1 on the list if the trailhead was more easily accessible. Because its setting at a sheer, rather imposing rock face, South River Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes in Shenandoah National Park. In fact, it’s hard to sort through them all and pick the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park. The Appalachian Trail runs for 101 miles in the park, crisscrossing Skyline Drive, the park’s main road. We share with you our six favorite hikes. >Check out the map here. Many of the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park are found in this area including the trails for Old Rag, Hawksbill, Stony Man, Bearfence Mountain, Dark Hollow Falls, the Rapidan Camp, and Pinnacles. It is also the most popular one on this list. Because its setting at a sheer, rather imposing rock face, South River Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes in Shenandoah National Park. The best way to get there is by car. It contains over 500 miles of hiking trails, jaw-dropping views over the Shenandoah Valley, and spectacular waterfalls.It’s only 90 minutes from Washington, DC but contains the best day hikes near DC and the best hikes in Virginia. We decided to do the Skyline Drive to Upper Whiteoak Falls trail. This is a fairly easy walk down, but the trek back up on the way out may be slightly challenging. (2.4 mile, Easy to Moderate) Very informative and comprehensive guide to Shenandoah. The first trail is from the Panorama parking area, and it is the longer route. There are several loop hiking trails worth checking out, for all kinds of walking and hiking experiences. I loved doing the rock scramble, and I felt like it was the best part of the trail. This is a perfect spot for a family hike! There are two lookout areas at the summit of the trail. Shenandoah National Park is a true gem of the east coast, offering countless opportunities for hiking and sightseeing. From the Skyland Amphitheater north, the Passamaquoddy Trail hugs the mountain on a narrow, rocky path. Three lead to some of the best waterfalls in Shenandoah, while three have you climb up to panoramic summit views. We ended up doing Lower Hawksbill Trail, and it is shorter, but the elevation gain was intense. Old Rag Trail. From Mathews Arm Campground registration area, take Traces Trail to the yellow blazes of Mathews Arm trail, which leads to the falls in 2.6 miles. Hawksbill Mountain is the park’s highest peak at a little over 4,000 feet tall. We should have about 6-7 hours worth of hiking time. Shenandoah National Park is one of the gems of the U.S. East Coast. The trail leads down from the parking area following a good path on mainly even ground, with a few rocky patches. But we had to try. A very popular hike at mile 50.7. The hiking landscape of Shenandoah National Park (SNP) is dominated by the Appalachian Trail. Shenandoah Trail Maps. But, my absolute favorite part was parking and hiking these wonderful trails. The trail descends at a moderately steep grade from the parking lot and to the Dark Hollow Waterfall. When you get to Shenandoah, you can ask the park ranger for the area maps. There are over 500 miles of hiking trails here, along with what many say is the most scenic stretch of the Appalachian Trail. This is the most popular hiking trail in the park and it is always recommended by park staff. At 4,040 feet, Stony Man is the second highest peak in Shenandoah National Park (Hawksbill is #1). You can view the map here. Another great, easy trail for you and the family. You have to scramble up some rocks carefully. The campgrounds start to open in the early spring and are only reservable on a first-come, first-serve basis. The hiking landscape of Shenandoah National Park (SNP) is dominated by the Appalachian Trail. Depending on your pace, this gradual, uphill hike takes around 1.5 to 2 hours roundtrip. The Best Shenandoah National Park Hikes One of the biggest attractions in the park is the main road, named Skyline Drive. For a summit climb, this is a relatively short and easy trail, so it’s great for almost all ages and ability levels. This’ll eventually wind you into the southernmost area of Shenandoah beginning at the Swift Run Gap entrance. Dark Hollow Falls is one of the closest scenic falls to the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. The trail is located near the Thorton Gap entrance, so it is an excellent hike for you to start when entering the park. Doyles River Falls This hike was probably my favorite. The AT runs parallel along the park’s main road, Skyline Drive. You can check out the map here. We decided to try the next day, around 8 am, and there were plenty of spots. For more information about these hikes, go to nps.gov/shen. Please note that October is the busiest time of year. Awesome post! The trail rises through the forest and ends at a rocky viewpoint. These scenic trails highlight the dramatic changes in elevation that create the plentiful waterfalls in this region to wow you. There are some sitting rocks along the trail if you need to rest especially on your way back up. I created this wonderful space to help you, my fellow Women adventurers to get out and see the world! I spent a weekend with my friend that lives in Virginia, exploring this national park. 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