Washington, Virginia

Top Spots in and near Washington

Bentonville, Virginia
Photograph Range View Overlook

5.0

Range View Overlook in Shenandoah National Park is an amazing spot to watch the sunrise and sunset where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the rolling hills. Range View Overlook has views of Jenkins Mountain to the south, Pignet Mountain and Mary’s Rock to the southwest, and Hogback Mountain to the w...
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Appalachian Trail, Virginia
Hike North Mount Marshall in Shenandoah NP

1 mi / 350 ft gain

Park at the Mount Marshall parking area at ~MP 15.6 on the Skyline Drive. From the back of the parking lot, take the white-blazed Appalachian Trail north for a short 0.4 miles to a large rock outcrop with views south. After finished exploring this outcrop, continue on the AT for another 0.1 mil...
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Washington, Virginia
Hike Little Devil Stairs

4.7

5.5 mi / 1480 ft gain

This hike starts with an immediate stream crossing -- how wet your feet get depends on the water level but bring an extra pair of socks! The first mile consists of a typical Shenandoah hike -- uphill on a dirt path and along a stream. But soon you reach the base of Little Devil Stairs. This po...
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Rileyville, Virginia
Hike to Overall Run Falls

5.0

6.1 mi / 1700 ft gain

Start at the Hogback parking lot at MP 21.1 on the Skyline Drive. Take the Appalachian Trail south for 0.8 miles, and turn right onto the Tuscarora-Overall Run Trail. After 0.5 miles you will come to another intersection-keep right to stay on the Tuscarora-Overall Run Trail. A final intersection...
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South River, Virginia
Hike to Compton Peak

5.0

This unique hike on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park is 2.4 miles round trip with an 835' elevation gain, and leads you to two viewpoints as well as a cool rock outcrop.Access this hike from the Compton Gap parking area (elevation 2,145') on the Skyline Drive at Mile 10.4. Cross ...
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Rileyville, Virginia
Backpack Jeremy's Run Trail, Shenandoah NP

3.3

10 mi

This hike is best done as a two-day, one-night backpacking trip, however it can be done as a day hike if you don't wish to backpack.Jeremy’s Run is a beautifully forested 10 mile roundtrip hike with numerous stream-crossing. The trailhead starts at the Elkwallow Picnic area, at about mile 24 of S...
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Luray, Virginia
Photograph Buck Hollow Overlook

Buck Hollow Overlook is one of 72 beautiful overlooks that are on Skyline Drive. Skyline Dive is the road that winds through the heart of Shenandoah National Park. Over 105 miles long, Skyline Drive offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ride Mountains and valleys while simultaneously offeri...
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Luray, Virginia
Photograph Hazel Mountain Overlook

4.0

Skyline Dive runs through the heart of Shenandoah National Park. Consisting of 72 overlooks over 105 miles, Skyline Drive offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ride Mountains and valleys. Hazel Mountain Overlook is located at mile marker 33 along Skyline Drive and is one of a handful of ov...
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Luray, Virginia
Mary's Rock via Appalachian Trail

3.36 mi / 1214 ft gain

If you're driving south on Skyline Drive, park in the lot on the right side of Skyline Drive immediately after you cross Route 211/Thornton Gap entrance. If you're driving north on Skyline Drive, the lot will be on the left side immediately before the Thornton Gap entrance. The trailhead is at t...
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Luray, Virginia
Mary's Rock via Meadow Spring Parking Area

4.6

2.75 mi / 640 ft gain

Mary’s Rock is just south of the Thornton Gap Entrance in Shenandoah National Park’s Central District. This write-up details the hike from the Meadow Spring Parking area, but there are alternate routes starting from the Panorama parking area (3.7 miles round trip), Jewell Hollow Overlook (6 mile...
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Luray, Virginia
Hike to Hazel Falls in Shenandoah National Park

5.0

5.2 mi / 100 ft gain

The trail to Hazel Falls may not be the most "wow" trail in Shenandoah but it is well worth it to reach the beautiful gorge where Hazel River falls over big boulders. You should park at the Meadow Spring parking lot at mile 33 on Skyline Drive. You will see the trail post to the right of the par...
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Front Royal, Virginia
Explore Skyline Drive In Winter

4.5

Skyline Drive is a winding highway that cuts straight through Shenandoah National Park. Being that we are in the south, you will find that the road is closed for the majority of the winter, and usually at the very mention of snow. The first few years of living here it was incredibly frustrating...
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Luray, Virginia
Photograph Pinnacles Overlook

5.0

Pinnacles Overlook in Shenandoah National Park is a southern facing overlook in the Central District that provides one of the best views of Old Rag. Looking south over the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 3,320 foot overlook has a great view of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains as well as a valley th...
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Luray, Virginia
Photograph Jewell Hollow Overlook

One of Shenandoah National Park’s 72 overlooks, Jewell Hollow is a great place for people to stop while they are traveling through the 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 ...
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Luray, Virginia
Hike to The Pinnacle in Shenandoah NP

4.5

2.2 mi / 400 ft gain

The Pinnacle is a little-known outcrop on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park. You will not find it marked on the park map, but that doesn’t make it any less-worthy of your time. The Pinnacle can be reached by a quick, easy hike with the family (and dog!), or you can combine it wit...
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Etlan, Virginia
Old Rag Mountain Loop

4.7

8.95 mi / 2467 ft gain

Be prepared to deal with crowds, especially on the rock scrambles, which tend to cause a bottle neck on this trail in Shenandoah National Park. I would recommend starting out early on this loop hike, around 6 or 7 am to avoid the crowds. Definitely arrive no later than 9:30am, as the parking lot ...
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