Madison, Virginia
Top Spots in and near Madison
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Stanley, Virginia
Hike to Rose River Falls
4.54 mi / 853 ft gainRose River Falls is often overshadowed by it's more popular cousin, Dark Hollow Falls, as both hikes begin at the same trail head. But because Dark Hollow Falls is such a short and well known hike, it can get extremely crowded. It is also one of the few trails in Shenandoah where dogs are not al...Read more -
Stanley, Virginia
Hike the Rose River Falls to Dark Hollow Falls Loop
5.04 mi / 950 ft gainParking at the trailhead is a few miles north of Big Meadows at the Fisher's Gap Overlook parking area. You will find much more solitude along this loop trail than if you were to park at the Dark Hollow Falls trailhead as the Dark Hollow Falls is much more popular. That makes being able to fin...Read more -
Stanley, Virginia
Backpack Rose River Loop
5.04 mi / 900 ft gainThe trail can be found on Skyline Drive. Though it is a little challenging to locate, you should park at Fisher’s Gap Overlook (mile marker 49.4), and then walk over across the road and find the trail. You'll spot it by looking over the side of the road and then hiking down. The Rose River Loo...Read more -
Stanley, Virginia
Hawksbill Mountain Summit
4.81.54 mi / 669 ft gainA hike to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain will not only put you at the highest point in Shenandoah National Park (4050'), but you'll have a 270 degree view perfect for a sunset. This moderate hike is located at MP 45.6 on the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, so you'll have to pay a $2...Read more -
Stanley, Virginia
Lower Hawksbill to Salamander to Appalachian Trail Loop
2.68 mi / 666 ft gainThis is one of 2 trails that will take you to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain. The other is the Upper Hawksbill Trail (which I also wrote an adventure about!). This trail is a combination of the Lower Hawksbill Trail, the AT, and the Salamander Trail. The parking are area for this hike is at mi...Read more -
Stanardsville, Virginia
Hike South River Falls
4.54.4 miThe trail head for the South River Falls Trail is located at mile marker 63 off of Skyline Drive via the South River Picnic Area. Loop around the picnic area until you reach the Eastern corner where you will find a sign and a map marking the beginning of the 4.2-mile trail. Over the first mile...Read more -
Stanley, Virginia
Camp at Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park
4.4Visiting Shenandoah National Park for the first time can be quite overwhelming. The 109 mile long Skyline Drive, combined with over 500 miles of hiking trails, makes camping is a necessity if you truly want to experience Shenandoah.From the Appalachian thru-hiker to the RV'er, Big Meadows is perf...Read more -
Stanley, Virginia
Photograph Spilter Knoll Overlook
5.0The Spitler Knoll is one of 72 overlooks for people to enjoy as they travel through Shenandoah National Park along Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive is the road that winds through the heart of Shenandoah National Park, starting at Front Royal in the north and ending at Rockfish Gap in the south. This...Read more -
Stanley, Virginia
Three Falls Hike
8.3 mi / 2200 ft gainThe Three Falls Hike in Shenandoah National Park will take you past three beautiful waterfalls all found within the central district of the park: Lewis Spring Falls, Dark Hollow Falls, and Rose River Falls. You are able to start the loop from any of the waterfalls’ trailheads, but I prefer to sta...Read more -
Luray, Virginia
Hike Robertson Mountain in Shenandoah NP
6 mi / 1200 ft gainRobertson Mountain is often overshadowed by the nearby Old Rag Mountain, but standing 5 feet taller than Old Rag, this hike offers seclusion and gorgeous views to the south. Starting from the Limberlost Trailhead parking lot at MP 43 on the Skyline Drive, take the chained off Old Rag Fire Road. ...Read more -
Luray, Virginia
Hike Limberlost Trail in Shenandoah National Park
5.01.3 mi / 114 ft gainThe Limberlost Trail is a loop trail within Shenandoah National Park. It is classified as 'accessible' as the trail is flat and has features that would help those in a wheelchair or with other needs access the trail (boardwalk, bridge, benches). There is little-to-no elevation change and the pat...Read more -
Charlottesville, Virginia
Preddy Creek & Creekside Trail Loop
4.33.75 mi / 266 ft gainMy husband is a runner and I am not. I hate to run and the entire time I am running I am exhausting myself thinking how much I hate running. However, I love hiking. I can hike all day and I can kick my runner husband's butt with a pack on going up a mountain trail. The problem with this though is...Read more -
Luray, Virginia
White Oak Trail to Lower Falls
5.06.68 mi / 1982 ft gainThe round trip is a total of 6.7 miles (10.8 km) from the Skyline Drive parking lot to the Whiteoak Canyon Trailhead parking lot (mile 42.6) to the final waterfall of the lower three. The elevation is moderate with a 900-foot drop to the upper falls, but an additional 1,100 feet to the lower fall...Read more -
Luray, Virginia
White Oak Canyon to Upper Falls
4.84.28 mi / 866 ft gainBetween mile 42 and 43 of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is the trailhead for WhiteOak Canyon. Begin at the trailhead from the parking lot and cross the Limberlost Trail in .3 miles. Continue on and you will cross your first footbridge shortly. After another mile you will cross the s...Read more -
Luray, Virginia
Stony Man Trail, Shenandoah National Park
4.51.47 mi / 279 ft gainThis short, easy hike will take you to some of the best views in Shenandoah National Park. As an added bonus, it’s perfect for catching the sunset without a long walk back to your car in the dark. If you’re looking to increase the level of difficulty, there is an alternate, moderate trail option ...Read more -
Elkton, Virginia
Hike to Hightop Mountain, Shenandoah NP
4.53.2 mi / 900 ft gainThe parking area for the Hightop Mountain hike is one mile south of the Swift Run Gap entrance on Skyline Drive. If you’re looking to add extra mileage to your hike, you can also park at the entrance and pick up the Appalachian Trail just south of the overpass (doing so will add 1.2 miles each w...Read more