The Shenandoah Valley has hundreds of miles of trail, but a handful of hikes consistently top every local's list. These are ten that locals actually recommend — sorted from easy family loops to full-day backcountry pushes — with mileage, elevation gain, and what makes each one worth the effort.
Easy (under 2 miles, family-friendly)
1. Limberlost Trail — 1.3 mi loop
Fully accessible (paved + boardwalk), in the Central District near Skyland. Perfect for strollers, wheelchairs, and a first taste of the park.
2. Stony Man — 1.6 mi round-trip
Skyline Drive mile 41.7. Big payoff for the effort — second-highest peak in the park.
3. Blackrock Summit — 1 mi loop
South District quartzite boulder field. Great for kids old enough to scramble.
Moderate (2 – 5 miles)
4. Dark Hollow Falls — 1.4 mi out-and-back
70-foot waterfall with a steep return climb. Skyline Drive mile 50.7.
5. Hawksbill Summit — 2.9 mi loop
Highest point in Shenandoah NP at 4,051 ft. 360° summit views.
6. Bearfence Mountain — 1.2 mi
Short rock scramble with full 360° views. One of the best effort-to-payoff hikes in the park.
7. Compton Peak — 2.4 mi round-trip
Quieter North District summit with a famous columnar basalt formation.
Strenuous (5+ miles, full day)
8. Old Rag Mountain — 9.4 mi circuit
The most famous hike in the Mid-Atlantic. Rock scramble section requires hands. Day-use ticket required March–November.
9. Whiteoak Canyon to Cedar Run — 7.3 mi loop
Six waterfalls, swimming holes, and a 2,000 ft descent + climb. Hard on the knees but spectacular.
10. Riprap–Wildcat Ridge — 9.8 mi loop
Backcountry feel in the South District. Two ridge runs, a creek crossing, and Cold Spring at the midpoint.
Frequently asked
What's the hardest hike in Shenandoah National Park?
Old Rag Mountain is the most demanding, with a 2,415-ft climb and a half-mile rock scramble that requires hands and good shoes. Whiteoak–Cedar Run is similar mileage but with less technical scrambling.
What's the best easy hike in Shenandoah?
Stony Man (1.6 miles) gives the biggest reward for the smallest effort — a relatively flat walk to a 4,011-ft summit overlook.
Do I need a permit to hike Old Rag?
Yes — a $1 day-use ticket is required from March 1 through November 30. Reserve at recreation.gov.
