Best Trails in Shenandoah National Park

The entrance at Jeremies run is closed

This hike starts on the road for a little less than a mile before reaching the trailhead, the path is rocky at the bottom and becomes a series of scrambles after several miles. The views are amazing, the entire hike was really pleasant, and it was quite windy and beautiful at the top. My 11 year old joined me and had no trouble at all, he is an avid hiker and loves rock scrambles. It will be a few years before I take my younger children. Parking is $15 for a week, or use tour national park pass. No camping in the parking area or at the higher elevations on Old Rag (basically when it becomes really rocky). Parking area has trash and porta-potties.

Coming from south there is a very similar trailhead and parking lot. Make sure you start at the “summit” parking lot else you can walk a couple of miles on the east side and the same distance or more to the west — none of which have a view or cross the AT!

The fastest trail you will ever do! It only took a few minutes but it was a really nice view. If you’re looking for a longer hike, connect to Lewis Falls Trail from there and do the 2.8 mile loop. You can’t access this trailhead directly from Skyline but if you turn in at Big Meadows you can access the trailhead from the lodge parking lot.

If you’re staying at Skyland Lodge this trail is easy to find but if you’re looking for it from Skyline Drive you won’t find it unless you turn into Skyland. It’s an easy trail that goes out to a little observation point with very nice views. Warning for anyone with bee allergies - the observation point was swarming with bees when we were out there. Be careful! This is a great trail for a quick filler hike.

Lewis Falls trail is a loop and we did the full loop, but if you don’t think you are up for a steep climb then head to the falls by starting out to the left from Black Rock and then return the same way. It will keep this trail at a moderate level for you because the steeper elevation climb is on the other half of the trail. We did the whole loop at went up the steepest part (not down...last time I trust a tip from some guy in the parking lot). There wasn’t anything magnificent to see on that steep side so if you decide to double back to make the trail easier you won’t be missing anything exciting. When you are at Lewis Falls you will see hikers at the upper falls to your right, but do yourself a favor and go left. There is a trail marker near the water. Cross over and there is a very short trail that will take you down to an observation point for the lower falls. It’s worth the few minutes it takes to see a different view of the falls.

In every season this trail is absolutely stunning. I enjoy this trail the most during Autumn season.

awesome trail

This was a nice easy walk to the top of waterfalls. it gets a little rocky so I suggest wearing sneakers not sandals. All and all a nice walk with pretty waterfalls.

Well worth the switchbacks and climbs to get to the summit - spectacular views. Last bit at the summit is not dog friendly, so we took turns going out on the ridge. Horse trail was a little less rocky than AT or hiking trail. We just missed a mama bear and cubs, but saw another pair about 10 minutes before the parking lot. Keep your eyes open.

Great hike, even though it downpours on our return. Amazing views, beautiful flowers, somewhat challenging terrain on the salamander trail coming back to the parking lot. Be sure to return on Salamander Trail or you will end up at the wrong parking lot and have to walk a mile on skyline drive. We caught the error before we had gone too far and climbed back up.Dog friendly hike.

After many weeks of good solid rain storms the river and falls were spectacular. Hiked down on to the falls and looked back to the fire road. Strenuous up and down but next to the river, so lots of opportunities to stop and let our dog cook off in the pools under each waterfall. Moderate traffic, fire road is easy level terrain. In 2 days we saw3 bears, and heard we missed 11 others within minutes. All were Momas with cubs, so stay alert.

It was a good hike definately some big climbs, but water was available, well marked, pretty challenging climbing up to the blue ridge parkway, views would have been better without the fog and rain but it was great.

A really great hike. We went after a rain storm, and the waterfall was flowing heavy. We were fortunate to have the place to ourselves for a good half hour, it’s very serene as you’re sort of in your own cove beneath the falls. Would definitely do this hike again.

REI picks this trail as one of ‘thee’ best hikes in SNP, and I agree! Experienced torrential down pour for most of the hike, even without that I would recommend a hiking waterproof sandal that is durable with great traction... lots of wet rocks and with parts of the river overflowing you cross ‘rapid’ like waters. Wanted to challenge myself so went down Jones Run and up Doyles River... it is a steep incline!! Trail clearly warns of black bears. Don’t forget your bear bell... I didn’t see any but I hope it’s cause they heard me coming!

I went through on a Monday morning around 6:30 am. No one around until I was on my way out. Nice loop. Beautiful scenery and sounds of the falls.

Amazing view from the top. Me and my 3 year old did it easily in just under an hour. Don’t climb the rocks, the official guide book states this will kill hundreds of
Years of lichen on the rocks with just one footstep! Highly recommend.

A short trail, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is an easy hike, it’s a scramble. Awesome views, must do.

very easy trail. nice filler. good for beginners. has an offshoot to other trails.

well traveled hike. a lot of foot traffic. easy down. moderate up.

set aside the whole day so you can enjoy this bad boy. there are plenty of false summits so don't get your hopes up. enjoy everyone. i would advise against bringing younger kids as the rock scramble can get sketchy at times. if you think yourself to be a more athletic outdoorsman, get to the trail early. there are bottlenecks that sometimes confuse and slow down hikers. there is a $15 charge to every hiker looking to enter. bring bug spray!

my friend and i started at around 11:30 and ended our trip back at the parking lot at around 4.

Amazing trail! Very rewarding with the views on the summit. Recommended.

This is such a beautiful drive. The scenes are just magnificent. Its extra beautiful during the fall with all the leaves changing.

This is such a beautiful hike. Its fun going down it and it only takes like 15-20mins but once you’re ready to head back up its a bit of a climb. However it is really beautiful. The water fall goes all the way to the bottom right before the Rose River trail starts. Its a must see.

I love this hike. Its a bit of a walk, but you hike right next to rose river and the scenery is just beautiful. Recommend sometime in spring or fall.

Gets very crowded, try to go early

Hiked from Gravel Springs to see the overlooks on the Appalachian Trail.

Aug 10 2018: This is my 2nd time completing the Old Rag loop. 3 hours to get to Summit. Took me 6 hours from/to parking. I like to start early so started around 6:15. I had to spray several times as the bugs were plentiful. Just be aware that Black Bears are active in this area as I saw one about 100 feet away in my last hour. Luckily, it didn’t follow me but it did make me put an extra pep in my step!

If you go now, the water levels are as high as they have ever been in a long time and it is amazing. bring water shoes or prep to get wet. went yesterday from the cedar run lot to the byrds nest lookout past skyline, and back again.

Beautiful view and very easy hiking