Photo: G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Shenandoah follows the crest of the Blue Ridge for over 100 miles, with Skyline Drive winding along the top and overlooks every mile or two. Below the road, trails drop into hollows full of waterfalls or climb to rocky summits looking over the Shenandoah Valley. Two days covers a big hike and a handful of short ones around Skyland and Big Meadows. Morning light paints the valley, and the drive is slow, so give yourself time.
TRAILS
1 OF 8
Old Rag
Difficulty
Strenuous
Length
9.4 mi loop
Elevation gain
2,350 ft
Old Rag area · Old Rag trailhead, Nethers — The most famous hike in Virginia climbs through forest to a granite ridge where the trail turns into a scramble: squeezing between boulders, hopping across gaps and pulling yourself up rock chutes. The views from the summit are open in every direction. Plan seven to eight hours and bring plenty of water. Skip the scramble when the rock is wet or icy.
⚠︎ Day-use ticket required March 1 to November 30, plus the park entrance pass. The main trailhead lot is closed for construction in 2026; use the overflow lots.
Photo: John Brighenti, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 8
Whiteoak Canyon
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
4.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,000 ft
Skyland · Whiteoak Canyon trailhead, mile 42.6 — Walk down through old hemlock forest to the upper falls, an 86-foot drop that's the first of six waterfalls in the canyon. Keep going down to the lower falls and their pools if you have energy for the much longer climb back out. Spring and after rain are best. The rocks along the creek are slick, so watch your step near the water.
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 8
Dark Hollow Falls
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1.4 mi
Elevation gain
440 ft
Big Meadows · Dark Hollow Falls trailhead, mile 50.7 — The closest waterfall to Skyline Drive, a 70-foot cascade tumbling over dark rock ledges. It's all downhill on the way in and a steady climb on the way out. It's one of the busiest trails in the park, so go early or late. Rest at the benches on the way back up.
Photo: ShenandoahNPS, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 8
Stony Man
Difficulty
Easy
Length
1.6 mi
Elevation gain
340 ft
Skyland · Stony Man trailhead, mile 41.7 — An easy climb to the second-highest peak in the park, where open cliffs look straight down over the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain. The rock formation is said to look like a bearded man's face when seen from below. It's one of the best sunset spots on Skyline Drive. Stay back from the cliff edges.
Photo: bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 8
Hawksbill Summit
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1.7 mi
Elevation gain
690 ft
Central District · Upper Hawksbill parking, mile 46.7 — The shortest way to the highest point in the park, at 4,051 feet. A wide trail climbs through forest to a stone observation platform with a view over the valley and the long Blue Ridge in both directions. Peregrine falcons have been reintroduced nearby, so watch the cliffs. Bring a jacket; it's often windy at the top.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
6 OF 8
Bearfence Mountain
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1.1 mi
Elevation gain
310 ft
Central District · Bearfence parking, mile 56.4 — A short, fun rock scramble along a narrow ridge to a 360-degree view, one of the few in the park. It feels like a mini Old Rag with no ticket needed. Use your hands on the rocks and wear shoes with good grip. Skip the scramble when the rock is wet.
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
7 OF 8
Marys Rock
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,200 ft
Thornton Gap · Panorama parking, mile 31.6 — A steady climb on the Appalachian Trail to a rocky summit with wide views west over the valley and Massanutten Mountain. The rock outcrop at the top is perfect for a snack break. A shorter route from Meadow Spring (2.9 miles) also reaches the top. Sunset here is excellent; bring a headlamp for the walk down.
Photo: ShenandoahNPS, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
8 OF 8
Overall Run Falls
Difficulty
Hard
Length
5.1 mi
Elevation gain
1,300 ft
North District · Mathews Arm — Hike into the wilderness to the tallest waterfall in the park, a 93-foot drop with a long view down the hollow toward the valley. Rock ledges near the falls make a great lunch spot. Go in spring or after heavy rain; by late summer the falls can dry to a trickle. Remember that the climb is on the way back.
Photo: TheTurducken, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your Shenandoah trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.