Trail Information

Topographic Map

Elevation Profile

Hike Location Overview









Email this page to a friend



Reporter


Google

Printer Friendly

Weather

MapQuest

TopoZone

TerraServer

Help

Old Rag Mountain, VA


Highlights:

1 mile rock scramble, beautiful views from peak, best hike in VA!
Near:Luray, VA
Scenery:
Distance:7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:2200 ft
Hike Time:4 hours
Difficulty:Strenuous
Trail Condition:OK, but a few difficult spots
HikeType:Loop



Summary: Old Rag Mountain (3291ft) is the most spectacular mountain in the northern Virginia Blue Ridge. Unlike most of the mountains in the Blue Ridge, it stands alone as an outlying mountain rather than as part of a continuous chain. Old Rag is a popular hike in all seasons; on weekends it can be crowded. Old Rag's attractions include a rugged scramble over and through boulders on the Ridge Trail and spectacular views in all direction. This circuit includes two shelters with fireplaces that can be used for cooking. Camping is not permited above 2500 ft.
Trailhead: Take US 522 to SR 231, which is 0.8 mi south of Sperryville, VA and 12.7 mil north of Madison, VA. go south 8.3 mi on SR 231, cross Hughes River, and immediately rutn right (west) onto SR 602. Stary on left side of Hughes River. route number changes to 601, 707, and then 600. do not cross Hughes River. After 3.5 mi from SR 231, just beyond Nethers, VA, and SNP parking area accommodates 200 cars. Park here and walk 0.8 mi to small parking area at end of SR 600. A $5 to $8 fee will be charged for each person over 16. (Lat:38.56 Lon:-78.3)
Trail Guides for Old Rag Mountain, VA:
Circuit Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
by Potomac Appalachain Trail Club  (PATC)

A Hikers Guide to the Geology of Old Rag Mountain
by SNP (www.snpbooks.org)

Map 10
by Potomac Appalachain Trail Club (PATC)

Best Seasons: Year-Round
User Groups: Hikers,
Ranger Contact: National Park Service 1-540-999-3500
Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Joe Cross, who has posted  56 other hikes on this site
Trail Reviews  Page 1 of 30   Submit your own review
Reviewed by cb on 7/28/2010
i think this is the best hike for views and nontechnical rock scrambles in Virginia. it is an all around workout for legs and upper body. those who are not comfortable with dealing with the challenges of some unusual rock formations (they are spectacularly beautiful!) may not enjoy this hike. 360 degree views reminds me of NH hiking and in the fall.....well either go during week or get their early on the weekend or there will be gridlock.

Reviewed by Matthew Mills on 7/7/2010
My first hike!!! Saw a bear no momma on fire road which is where most people see them. Rock scramble very fun but difficult in some spots. The trail leading up to it was the worst. But still very fun would definatly do it again.

Reviewed by Viewer on 4/13/2010
was so much fun. rocks rock.

Reviewed by Vicky on 4/10/2010
It has been 20 plus years since I have hiked Old Rag. A favorite of my husband and mine with yearly, if not more often treks up to the summit when we were younger. Now (both of us in the mid 50's) decided to hike it with our teen. Wonderful, not quite the billy goat I used to be on the rock scramble, but with a help managed the entire hike with no trouble. Worth the effort and still is our favorite hike of the Blue Ridge/Shenandoah and Smokies. A little disappointed in the bridges, rather than everyone cooling their feet through the stream at the end. Many pleasant memories from Old Rag, definitely worth making your own memories with the hike.

Reviewed by Kim K. on 4/6/2010
We hiked up Old Rag for the first time last weekend and it was fantastic! The rock scramble is a real challenge but so fun! We left the trailhead at 7:30 AM and I would definitely recommend getting an early start. We ran into maybe 10 other people hiking up. Since we had heard that the fire road was a bit boring, we decided to take the ridge back down around 10:30 and we must have passed at least 200 people on the way down. The rock scramble was getting really clogged up at this point, so I'd definitely recommend getting an early start!

Reviewed by ORMS on 11/5/2009
For the definitive information on this hike, copy and paste this link: http://ns.www.nps.gov.edgesuite.net/featurecontent/shen/website_movies/OldRagPodcast_web.mov

Reviewed by James on 10/17/2009
I camped out on the side of the mountain with my wife and two kids. My little girl is 6 and my son is 12. We woke up at 4a.m. and hiked the mountain in the dark. We saw the most amazing sun rise you could ever imagine! Sun rays were peering down on all the little houses through cracks in the clouds. I have climbed it two times in the dark, but the the greatest with my family. With my kids I decided to go the trail backwards and went up the fire trail and came down the rock scramble. This worked out really well. Have fun and be safe!

Reviewed by old rag on 8/14/2009
lots of exersize


Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.
Keys: Virginia Hiking, Virginia Trails, Virginia Hikes, Page County Hiking, Page County Trails, Page County Hikes

About Us    Help    Contact Us
Site Map Of Available Hikes
Copyright © 2003 LocalHikes, Inc.