EASY HIKES IN SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

By Louise Whiteside

Shenandoah National Park.  A place of natural beauty and wonder, located just an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., where I recall spending many happy hours of my youth.  Driving along the magnificent Skyline Drive, viewing gorgeous mountain vistas, camping and backpacking in the crisp wooded areas, all created for me some of the most memorable times of my life.

Now, speaking as a more mature adult, and preferring a slightly more relaxed day in a forest setting, I’d like to recommend a few easy day hikes available in the beautiful Shenandoah National Park.

The park offers a variety of easy hikes that are great for all ages and skills.

Following are several accessible hikes, in order from shortest to longest, to allow you to choose what works best for you.

1.  Fort Windham Rocks  

Location: North District, Mile 10.4

Compton Gap Parking Area

Duration: 1-hour

A short hike along the Appalachian Trail that leads to an interesting geologic feature.

2. Blackrock Summit

Location:  South District, Mile 84.4

Blackrock Parking Area

Duration:  1 hour

A short hike to a viewpoint on top of a rocky talus slope, with incredible views of the  Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain.

3. Bearfence Viewpoint

Location:  Central District, Mile 56.4

Duration:  1 hour

This route takes you to a 180-degree view of the Shenandoah Valley without a rock scramble.

4. Fox Hollow Trail

Location:  North District, Mile 4.6

Dickey Ridge Visitor Center

Duration:  1 hour

Discover the cultural history of Shenandoah National Park as you pass by historic rock walls, a cemetery, and periwinkles planted by former residents.

5. Frazier Discovery Trail

Location:  South District, Mile 79.5

Loft Mountain Wayside

Duration: 1-2 hours

This hike features several picturesque overlooks as it passes through woodlands of varying ages on Loft Mountain.

6. Lands Run Falls

Location:  North District, Mile 9.2

Duration:  1-2 hours

A short hike down a fire road to a series of cascades that descend about 80 feet into a gorge.  Note that it may not have water in dry seasons.

7. Limberlost Trail

Location:  Central District, Mile 43

Limberlost Parking Area

Duration:  1-2 hours

A wheelchair-accessible, 1.4-mile loop through the forest with mountain laurel in the springtime and an example of a columnar jointing geological feature.  Lots of birds, deer, and not many people. Easy for all ages.

8. Dark Hollow Falls

Location:  Central District, Mile 50.7

Dark Hollow Falls Parking Area

Duration:  1-2 hours

This hike follows a stream to a beautiful waterfall, and is one of the park’s most  traveled trails.  The trail is short, but very steep and rocky, and the return hike is challenging.

9. Bearfence Rock Scramble     

Location:  Central District, Mile 56.4

Duration:  1-2 hours

An exhilarating rock scramble, leading to a magnificent 360-degree view of the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley.

10. Stony Man  

Location:  Central District, Mile 41.7

Duration:  1-2 hours

This enjoyable hike brings you to an outstanding view of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain, and beyond.  A great hike for beginners wanting to try something a little out of their comfort zone.

If you’re looking for more easy hikes on Skyline Drive, pick up a copy of The Falcon Guide’s Best Easy Day Hikes — Shenandoah National Park, and the accompanying Shenandoah National Park trail map.

Visit https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm to learn more about Shenandoah National Park.

Louise Whiteside, a long-time resident of D.C. and Maryland, now resides in the Colorado Rockies. She loves memoir writing, bargain hunting, cooking, country music, theater, and travel.