George Washington National Forest Hiking

Day 1 of 3

The northern forest · Big Schloss on the Mill Mountain Trail

Start in the rugged northern reaches of the forest near Wolf Gap, on the Virginia/West Virginia line. From the Wolf Gap area, climb the Mill Mountain Trail to Big Schloss (about 4 miles round trip), the iconic rocky outcrop of the George Washington National Forest. A short wooden footbridge leads out onto the crag, where the ridges of two states fall away in every direction. This is the signature view of the northern forest.

4 stopsDay one

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

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   Drive from where are you driving from?~1.5 to 2 hr · gravel roads · fuel up first · Drive

   Head out from the Shenandoah Valley to the rugged northern forest near Wolf Gap, on the Virginia and West Virginia line. Plan on roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, with the last stretch on gravel forest roads and little cell service. Fill up in town and download offline maps before you lose signal.

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   Big Schloss via the Mill Mountain Trail~4 mi RT · moderate · iconic outcrop · Hike

   From the Wolf Gap area, climb the Mill Mountain Trail to Big Schloss (about 4 miles round trip), the iconic rocky outcrop of the George Washington National Forest. A short wooden footbridge leads out onto the crag, where the forested ridges of two states fall away in every direction. The footbridge is exposed, so watch your footing.

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   Trout Run Valley ridgesOptional · quiet Tuscarora-area trails · Viewpoint

   If you want more than Big Schloss, the surrounding Trout Run Valley and Tuscarora ridges hold miles of quiet trail with long ridge views. It is an easy way to extend the day before you head down to camp, with far fewer people than the outcrop itself.

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   Camp at Wolf Gap or stay in townPrimitive campground · or valley hotel · lodge

   Set up at the cheap, primitive Wolf Gap Campground right at the trailhead, or drive back to a valley town for a roof. Wolf Gap is first-come, first-served with no hookups, so bring water or a filter. There is no lodging inside the forest, so for a hotel base in Harrisonburg or Staunton.

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Day 2 of 3

Shenandoah Mountain · Reddish Knob & Ramsey's Draft old-growth

Today is centered on the high spine of Shenandoah Mountain west of Harrisonburg. Drive up to Reddish Knob, one of the highest points in the area at about 4,397 feet, a rare drive-up summit on the Virginia/West Virginia line with a sweeping 360-degree view over endless ridges. Go for sunrise or sunset if you can: the light over the Alleghenies from the bald summit is the best big-sky view in the forest.

4 stopsDay two

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Reddish Knob summit drive~4,397 ft · drive-up · 360° views · Viewpoint

   Drive up to Reddish Knob, one of the highest points in the area at about 4,397 feet, a rare paved drive-up summit on the Virginia and West Virginia line. The bald summit gives a sweeping 360-degree view over endless ridges. Go for sunrise or sunset for the best light over the Alleghenies.

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   Ramsey's Draft Trail · old-growthOut-and-back · hemlocks · stream crossings · Hike

   Hike into Ramsey's Draft Wilderness, home to some of the finest old-growth forest left in the East. The Ramsey's Draft Trail follows the stream up through towering hemlocks and hardwoods, with numerous crossings and no bridges, so make it an out-and-back of any length. After heavy rain the crossings can run high, so check conditions.

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   Shenandoah Mountain TrailOptional · long ridge trail · Hike

   For more miles, sections of the Shenandoah Mountain Trail ride the long high spine nearby with quiet ridge walking and broad views. You can pick up a stretch for an out-and-back of any length before heading to camp or back to town.

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4. ⠿↑↓4Brett VA / CC BY 2.0
   Camp in the forest or stay in StauntonPrimitive sites · or valley hotel · lodge

   Camp at a primitive forest site or in the wilderness, or drive down to Staunton for a hotel and dinner. Staunton sets you up close to tomorrow's southern waterfalls and is a charming historic base in the valley. Store food properly wherever you camp, as this is black bear country.

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Day 3 of 3

The southern forest · Crabtree Falls, Saint Mary's & Elliott Knob

Head to the southern end of the forest near the Blue Ridge for the waterfalls. Crabtree Falls (about 3 miles round trip to the top) is the tallest cascading waterfall in the eastern United States, dropping roughly 1,200 feet over a series of steps with overlooks all the way up. It is the most popular hike on this route, so start early. Nearby, Saint Mary's Falls in the Saint Mary's Wilderness is a rewarding stream hike to a waterfall and swimming hole.

4 stopsDay three

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Crabtree Falls~3 mi RT · tallest cascade in the East · Hike

   Crabtree Falls (about 3 miles round trip to the top) is the tallest cascading waterfall in the eastern United States, dropping roughly 1,200 feet over a series of steps with overlooks all the way up. It is the most popular hike on this route, so start early. The wet rocks are deadly, so stay on the marked trail and overlooks the whole way.

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   Saint Mary's FallsStream hike · waterfall & swimming hole · Hike

   Saint Mary's Falls in the Saint Mary's Wilderness is a rewarding stream hike to a waterfall and swimming hole. The trails are unblazed and the access road can wash out, so check conditions and carry a map. It is a quieter, wilder alternative to the crowds at Crabtree Falls.

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3. ⠿↑↓3Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0
   Elliott KnobOptional · ~4,463 ft · steep lookout climb · Hike

   If you have energy left, Elliott Knob (about 4,463 feet) is one of the highest points in the forest, a steep climb to a lookout with broad views. The Appalachian Trail also rides the ridge along the eastern edge near the Three Ridges area by the Blue Ridge Parkway if you want a different finale.

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4. ⠿↑↓4Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0
   Getting home: SHD, ROA or IADShenandoah closest · Roanoke / Dulles larger · Drive

   From the southern forest, Shenandoah (SHD) near Staunton is the closest airport, with Roanoke (ROA) and Washington Dulles (IAD) the larger options. Each is a scenic drive back out through the valley, so fill your tank and leave with daylight to spare, especially if you have been on remote forest roads.

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