6 Can’t-Miss Shenandoah Hiking Trails

Shenandoah National Park, home to a stretch of great Appalachian Trail wilderness is also the site of over 500 miles of hiking paths throughout its expanse of forests. Whether you’re looking for a daylong hike covering many miles of this beautiful countryside, or just a few hours headed towards one of the park’s many tumbling waterfalls, you’ll find exactly what you like in the diverse options of Shenandoah hiking trails. There are numerous choices in both length and challenge levels to meet everyone’s interest and ability. You’ll find something suitable for both experienced mountaineers, as well as an easy family path among the Shenandoah hiking trails found off of the gorgeous Skyline Drive. Taking a hike through Shenandoah National Park Hiking Trails are excellent for enjoying Shenandoah Fall Foliage, as well.

6 Shenandoah Hiking Trails

1. Fox Hollow Trail – Located at the Fox Hollow Trailhead at mile marker 4.7 on Skyline Drive, you will also find the trailhead of the Snead Farm Loop hike, this is an easy hike into the park. Measuring in at just 1.2 miles long, the Fox Hollow Trail is of moderate difficulty, taking less than an hour and climbing over 300 feet in elevation.
2. Overall Run Falls – This out and back trail is a 6.1 mile round trip that gains over 1,600 feet in elevation and takes nearly 5 hours. It is moderately strenuous and ends at a viewpoint rock overlooking the wonderful Overall Run Falls. The trail begins at the Overall Run Trailhead at mile marker 21.1 on Skyline Drive.
3. Mill Prong-Rapidan Camp – This four-mile round trip hike is of moderate difficulty, climbing about 870 feet in elevation and taking nearly three hours. Hikers end at Rapidan Camp, which was once Herbert Hoover’s country retreat that has been wonderfully preserved as a historic site that displays life in the mountains, as well as Hoover’s character.
4. Blackrock Viewpoint – This is a quick and easy hike leaving from the Blackrock trailhead at mile marker 51.2 on Skyline Drive. The trail ends at a gorgeous viewpoint from which you’ll breath in the sight of the valley below.
5. Lewis Springs Falls – Also leaving from the Blackrock Trailhead, the Lewis Springs Falls hike is a 3.2 mile circuit taking hikers past the rocky overlook and on to the observation area for the thundering Lewis Spring Falls. The hike takes a little over 2 hours and gains about 1,200 feet in elevation.
6. Jones Run Falls – Starting at the Jones Run Falls Trailhead at mile marker 84.1 on Skyline Drive, this hike is of moderate difficulty taking about two hours and climbing just over 1,000 feet in elevation. It is an out and back hike that can be doubled in length and duration on a loop trail that also goes by the Doyles River Falls, if you’re feeling a little more ambitious on your exploration of Shenandoah hiking trails.

These Shenandoah hiking trails are just the beginning of all the great romps through the woods offered when you visit this national forest. Not only are the trails stunning in their epic scenery, but taking Shenandoah Skyline Drive up to the numerous trailheads is an adventure all its own, replete with breathtaking views at every turn.

For ideas of things to do in Harrisonburg VA and throughout the Shenandoah Valley when you get off the beaten path, like Shenandoah AutumnFest, be sure to download our free Shenandoah Valley vacation guide!