The Hike: Hightop Mountain (3,587’) is the highest peak in Shenandoah’s South District. The summit can be reached either from the south or the north via the Appalachian Trail. The most popular climb to Hightop Summit is a 3-mile out and back hike which scales the northern side of the mountain. From the Hightop Parking […]
Highlights: Great views, Appalachian Trail Distance: 5.4 miles out and back Elevation Change 646 feet Trail Surface: Dirt with rocky sections Difficulty Level: Moderate (distance, rocky sections) Trailhead Parking: Brown’s Gap parking area, Skyline Drive MP 83 Website: AllTrails and Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Champion Brewing Ice House—Hatchback Lyfe IPA & Festbier The Hike:
Browns Gap to Blackrock Summit Read More »
Highlights: Appalachian Trail, amazing views, mountain laurel in June Distance: 3.7 miles out and back Elevation Change: 1,210 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Moderate (rocky surface, elevation gain) Trailhead Parking: Panorama parking area, Skyline Drive MP 31.5; park entrance fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Hawksbill Brewery—Hooray for Luray
Mary’s Rock AT North Read More »
Highlights: Rock scramble, amazing views Distance: 9.4 mile loop Elevation Change: 2,348 feet Trail Surface: Very rocky Difficulty Level: Very strenuous (rock scramble, distance, elevation) Trailhead Parking: Old Rag parking area, route 600/Nethers Road off route 231 south of Sperryville; park entrance fee required, hike tickets required, see below Website: Shenandoah National Park and AllTrails
Highlights: AT shelter, mountain and gorge views Distance: 7.5 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,237 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Keyser Run parking area, Skyline Drive mile post 19.4, park entrance fee required Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Tap 29—Are We There Yet? IPA & Pit Stop Pilsner The Hike: Big Devil Stairs is
Highlights: Fantastic views, rock scramble, Appalachian Trail Distance: 1.1 mile loop Elevation change: 217 feet Difficulty level: Moderate with rock scramble, easy without the scramble Trailhead Parking: Skyline Drive Bearfence Trailhead parking area mile 56.4, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Octonia Stone Brew Works—Rokuhnite Me Amadeus lager & Worth One’s Basalt
Bearfence Rock Scramble Read More »
Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, Appalachian Trail Distance: 4.9 mile loop Elevation change: 1,081 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Skyline Drive South River Picnic Area mile post 63, park fee required. Park near the rest rooms at the far end of the picnic grounds. Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Patch Brewing Co.—Home Field Advantage porter
South River Falls Loop Read More »
Highlights: Appalachian Trail, stream crossings, wildflowers, history Distance: 7.8 miles loop Elevation change: 1,780 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Skyline Drive Thornton River Trailhead parking area mile 25.4, park fee required Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Iron Pipe Aleworks—Shapeshifter IPA & Gandalf the Haze IPA The Hike: This hike doesn’t have amazing views or spectacular
Thornton River Loop Read More »
Highlights: Waterfalls, views, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 3.3 mile loop Elevation change: 990 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Big Meadows Lodge parking area, Skyline Drive mile 51, park fee required Website: Shenandoah National Park Beer Pairings: Big Meadows Lodge—Fresh Squeezed IPA by Deschutes Brewery & Amber Lager by Skipping Rock Beer Co. The Hike: This
Lewis Falls & Blackrock Read More »
Highlights: Views, wildlife, Byrd’s Nest #3, Pinnacle summit, birdwatching, wildflowers Distance: 7.1 miles out and back Elevation change: 1,370 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Pinnacles Picnic area, Skyline Drive mile 36.7, park fee required Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Old Trade Brewing—Mitch is Bitter ESB & Foggy Morning IPA The Hike: There are several ways
AT: Pinnacle to Mary’s Rock Read More »
