The 5 Best Hikes in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park

Over the years, I have explored my fair share of trails in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Since it was my first national park, it holds a special place in my heart. The first time I came here, I hiked Old Rag with an ex and his two friends. Since then, this park has become the one I’ve visited most. Today, I will share some things you need to know about these trails, my favorite ones, and some personal stories about them.

But first, I recommend that if you plan to visit a national park more than twice a year, you should get a National Park Pass, which is $80. If not, you can spend $30 for a 7-day pass.

Now let’s review the 5 best hikes in Shenandoah National Park!

Old Rag Circuit

Distance: 5.4–9.4 miles  

Elevation gain: 2,595 feet

Routes:  Old Rag Circuit (9.4 miles, 6–10 hours hiking time)

               Berry Hollow Parking (5.4 miles, 5.5–6.6 hours hiking time)

               Roberston Mountain Trail (7.8 7–9 hours hiking time)

               Nicholson Hollow Trail (8 mils 6–8 hours hiking time)

I recently revisited this trail. The first time was 8 years ago, and this hike is still NO joke. I will discuss the Old Rag Circuit first since I’ve done it twice. This circuit comprises multiple shorter trails, so I’ll be sure to mention each of them to you in turn.

In the first section of this circuit hike, you take the blue-blazed Ridge Trail, which leads you into the forest. It starts off easy, but you start to climb in elevation! You continue until you reach the rock scramble section. That’s when the fun begins! You must pay close attention to where the blue blazes are located on the rocks, or you will get lost on the rocks!

Also, I recommend a smaller day bag to fit through the tight gaps between the rocks. There are many “false summits,” meaning you think you are at the summit but won’t be. Don’t be fooled by those views, despite some outstanding ones. Finally, you are at the top when you see some boulders. 

My first time there with my ex and his friends, we drank some wine at the top while I was goofing off and doing some yoga poses. This time, I was there with my current boyfriend and no wine, but I was still goofing off, doing those yoga poses! 

It was interesting to be back on Old Rag with a different guy eight years later. The conversation, the feeling, everything changed except for the trail, and it still kicked my ass but welcomed me with a warm hug.

Once you have enjoyed your time at the top, you will descend on the Saddle Trail. You walk down a fair amount of steep steps that lead down through the forest. After a while, still following the blue blazes, you come up to Old Rag Shelter, a day-use shelter where you can sit for a few minutes and catch your breath. This is when the trail becomes a fire road.

At the T-intersection, go right and immediately right again at the fork, where you’ll see Weakley Hollow Fire Road (which is yellow-blazed). Follow Weakley Hollow Road, then turn right onto the Ridge Access Trail and left onto the Ridge Trail, which leads you to where you parked.

Mary’s Rock

Distance: 3.4 mi 

Elevation gain: 1,210 ft

If you are looking for a good hike with epic views that give you prime viewing of the trees’ color change, I highly recommend this hike. I went here one October to see the leaves change, and people were right when they deemed this hike the most photographed trail in the park because the views are stunning! When I was there, all the trees changed colors, and it seemed like you were looking at miles and miles of different-colored trees outlining the mountains.

I parked at the Panorama parking lot near the Thornton Gap entrance and started the 3.4-mile out-and-back that begins at the back of the parking area.

In the first section of the trail, you are going up a steep incline in the woods until you finally start to see some openings through the trees that allow you to see the road below. At this point, you can see miles and miles of different colored trees.

Once you reach the top, you see those stunning views people have mentioned. It was windy at the top when I arrived, but don’t worry; if this happens to you, you can hide from the wind beside some boulders. I remember how incredible it felt to see the views at the top.

Stony Man

Distance: 1.6-mile round-trip hike

Elevation Gain: 340 feet

In November 2020, I drove to meet a friend to catch a sunset. She told me this quick hike to the top had some epic sunsets. It makes sense since Stony Man is the second-highest mountain in the park. This hike is part of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), so saying you have hiked a part of the trail is an extraordinary experience!

I returned this past September, and Stony Man didn’t disappoint with another beautiful sunset. You don’t realize why this mountain is called Stony Man from the top, but if you go to the pull-out of the overlook a couple of miles down from the view, you will realize it looks like a man’s stony face. At least, that’s what one person thought when they named this mountain. From that lookout, you can see some epic views.

Story of the Forest

Distance: 1.8-mile round-trip hike

Elevation Gain: 290 feet

We took part in this trail to connect to the Dark Hollow Falls trail because we parked our car at Byrd Visitor Center since the parking lot at Dark Hollows was full. I love this trail because you feel like you’re wandering through a forest that you would see in a Disney movie. The trees were misshapen, and you could see animals playing as white wildflowers guided you along the trail.

A little magical trail!

Dark Hollow Falls

Distance: 1.4-mile circuit hike

Elevation Gain: 440 feet

Once we got to the road from the Story of the Forest trail, we reached the Dark Hollow Falls trail. This trail going down was easy and fun. At one point, I saw a dead tree on the bank of the shore. It was twisted and shaped more like a swirl than a regular tree.

As you continue, a sign on the trail will say you are 1,000 feet from the waterfall. Once you get to it, you will go down the steps and see the waterfall. You can climb up to the waterfall, which is 70 feet tall—which I did. I was excited to remove my hiking boots and put my feet into the water. My feet were still killing me after the day before at Old Rag.

If you want to add more to this hike, you can take the Rose River Fall Loop, which is 6.9 miles. 

I hope you check out these trails. My word of advice: please don’t take animals on these hikes. I saw many people not following that rule. Be a responsible pet owner and a person. Leave no trace!