Best trails in Shenandoah National Park
4.4·164,483 reviews·United States: #11 of 60 national parks
Want to find the best trails in Shenandoah National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 291 great trails for hiking, birding, and camping and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 25 easy hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 29 to 46,377 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Shenandoah National Park.
Top trails
1
(15269)
•Hard
•9.4 mi
Permits are needed to hike Old Rag March through November and must be reserved in advance.
This hike, although challenging, is one of the most popular hikes in Shenandoah National Park. It has been referred to as a “brutally awesome” hike by many. Your climb to the peak includes many rocky switchbacks, so you will not be going straight up, but the trails are still at a steep grade. The descent, which will be slightly longer than your ascent, is a much more gradual grade that ends on a fire...
2
(6238)
•Moderate
•1.6 mi
•Est. 1h 5m
Dark Hollow Falls is one of the closest scenic falls to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. This is a fairly easy walk down, but the trek back up on the way out may be slightly challenging.
This is a very popular hike at mile 50.7 of Skyline Drive that starts at the Dark Hollow Falls parking area. There are some sitting rocks along the trail if you need to rest especially on your way back up. In the spring the blossoms of Mountain Laurel adorn the path with bright pink blossoms. The...
3
(5356)
•Moderate
•2.7 mi
•Est. 1h 34m
Hawksbill Gap Loop hike is short and steep using the Appalachian Trail system. The AT is a white-blazed marker that leads to Hawksbill summit overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Hawksbill Gap parking lot can be a challenge, so it is advisable to get there early.
There are lots of waterfalls and a great panoramic view atop Hawksbill. The trail is rocky in some spots on the AT portion. Not very steep over most of the trail except for the ascent. Hikers say the best...
4
(6003)
•Moderate
•3.9 mi
•Est. 2h 3m
The Rose River Trail, or Rose River Loop Trail, is best known for the Rose River Falls, but it also offers other smaller cascades to view along the route, a beautiful hike along the Rose River, and an off-the-path cave cemetery.
To begin the hike, go to the Fishers Gap Overlook parking lot and carefully cross Skyline Drive to get to the trailhead. The best direction is clockwise, taking you along the river and to the falls first, then ending with a walk back to your car along Rose River Fire...
5
(6021)
•Moderate
•1.5 mi
•Est. 46m
From the parking area, you will take the Appalachian Trail (white blazes) to the trail post where you will connect to the Stony Man Trail (blue blazes). This trail makes a small loop leading to Stony Man Lookout before returning to the Appalachian Trail and leading back to the Stony Man Parking Area along Skyline Drive.
6
(4836)
•Hard
•3.7 mi
•Est. 2h 18m
This approach to Mary's Rock begins from the Panorama Parking Area along Skyline Drive. From here you can easily access the white-blazed Appalachian Trail and begin hiking south. The trail heads uphill eventually reaching Mary's Rock. From this point, there are beautiful sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
7
(2972)
•Moderate
•1.6 mi
•Est. 1h 10m
A shorter, yet steeper, route to Shenandoah’s highest peak than the Hawksbill Loop hike. The viewing platform on top of Hawksbill offers a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view of the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Virginia Piedmont.
This trail is steep for nearly the entire hike. You are well inside the tree line for the entire hike, so there is not much to see. Once you reach the Byrd shelter the views abound, and just another 100 feet or so, you reach the summit...
8
(4747)
•Moderate
•1.0 mi
After parking in the Bearfence Mountain parking lot, cross Skyline Drive and follow the blue blazes of the Bearfence Mountain Trail, one of the most popular trails in Shenandoah National Park.
The Bearfence Trail leads up a steep slope that eventually turns into rock scrambles until you reach the summit of Bearfence Mountain. Blazes mark the best scramble climbing route. The view from the summit is well worth the climb as it is one of only three summits in the park that has a 360-degree...
9
(3073)
•Moderate
•2.1 mi
•Est. 1h 7m
The Upper Hawksbill Trail is the easiest route to the summit of Hawksbill, which is the tallest mountain in Shenandoah National Park.
From the parking lot, begin hiking from the Upper Hawksbill Trailhead. This trail has blue blazes. The lower portion of the trail is very wide and well maintained and follows a gradual slope that makes for relatively easy hiking. The trail is heavily wooded, so no views are available, but wildlife sightings are possible.
About three-fourths of the way up,...
10
(2993)
•Moderate
•3.3 mi
•Est. 1h 48m
The Little Stony Man Loop is a great hike that begins on the Appalachian Trail and heads to Stony Man Mountain and Stony Man Overlook in Shenandoah Valley. It continues on the AT to Little Stony Man. The second part of the loop is along Passamaquoddy Trail, which brings you back to the start. It offers spectacular views from the top. The lower part of the loop is beautiful too, with a lot of lush, green moss. Bring your picnic or time it right for the sunset and hang out on the Stony Man...
Showing results 1–10 of 291
Guides
Trail reviews for Shenandoah National Park
Great trail in Shenandoah National Park. 2 great viewpoints on a little over halfway though and one at the end.
Parking: Entry fee, Free, Small lot
South Mount Marshall Viewpoint
Absolutely gorgeous trail! One of my top ones in the Shenandoah. Beautiful views pretty much the entire way. We went in November when the leaves were off the trees so we could see a lot of scenery in the valley. Hiking poles were very helpful with the rocky trails. The steepest section was the very beginning and then at the end coming up the last hill to the parking area. Even though the map looks really steep going to the end of the trail before turning around to come back, it isn’t as steep as the beginning and there are more gradual sections and some ups and downs. Only saw one person the entire time. Highly recommend doing this!
Wonderful trail. For sure go counter clockwise - going clockwise puts you climbing to the summit for a mile. I feel like an idiot commenting this, but Holy cow- the rocks!! It took us 3 hrs 18 minutes to do the trail. I am pokey anyway, but navigating the rocks slowed me down even more. Beautiful day to be in Shenandoah!
Difficulty: Moderate
Hawksbill Summit via Appalachian Trail
This was my first trail in Shenandoah! I would recommend this one or Stony Man as a starter trail. The trail is easy and right next to the Skyline Rd so you can keep your directions in check if you are new to hiking around in the wilderness. I felt safe while solo hiking the whole time I spent in the park. The view from this summit is so pretty as are all the overlook viewpoints!
A great alternative to Old Rag. Start from the same parking lot, a more difficult ascent, extraordinary views at the top, and - most importantly - no crowds. We saw 6 other hikers on the trail. You don’t get ORs fun rock scrambles and you don’t quite get 360 views (although very close to it) but Robertson should be on everyone’s list. Don’t believe the reviewers who say it’s moderate - the ascent is no joke. But it’s a fun challenge and you are rewarded at the top with a nice rock outcropping to sit on and take in the Shenandoah.
Parking: Free
Robertson Mountain Trail Loop
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Shenandoah National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Shenandoah National Park is Old Rag Mountain Loop, which has a 4.9 star rating from 15,269 reviews. This trail is 9.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,604 ft.
What is the longest trail in Shenandoah National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Shenandoah National Park is Appalachian Trail: US 221 to I-81. This trail is estimated to be 203.7 mi long.
How many trails are in Shenandoah National Park?
There are 291 trails in Shenandoah National Park. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 164,483 AllTrails community reviews.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Shenandoah National Park?
If you're looking for elevation gain, Shenandoah National Park has you covered. Appalachian Trail: US 221 to I-81 boasts the most elevation gain with 46,377 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Appalachian Trail: Shenandoah National Park, which will get you 21,879 ft of elevation gain.
Are there camping trails available in Shenandoah National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 65 camping trails in Shenandoah National Park and the most popular is Old Rag Mountain via Weakley Hollow Fire Road with an average 4.8 star rating from 575 community reviews.
Are there running trails available in Shenandoah National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 59 running trails in Shenandoah National Park and the most popular is Stony Man via Appalachian Trail with an average 4.7 star rating from 6,021 community reviews.
Are there biking trails available in Shenandoah National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 4 biking trails in Shenandoah National Park and the most popular is Skyline Drive: Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap with an average 4.7 star rating from 203 community reviews.
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Suitability
Points of interest
- Old Rag Mountain
- Dark Hollow Falls
- Hawksbill
- Rose River Falls
- Stony Man
- Marys Rock
- Bearfence Mountain
- Little Stony Man
- Blackrock
- Lower Whiteoak Falls
- Upper Whiteoak Falls
- Cedar Run Falls
- South River falls
- The Pinnacle
- Doyles River Falls
- Lower Doyles River Falls
- Upper Doyles River Falls
- Dickey Hill
- Hightop
- Compton Peak