Enter Shenandoah National Park from State Road 33 and make a right on Skyline Drive. I’m here to blog about all of the cool things while showing you how to pursue your dreams as well. I had a blast stopping and taking pictures of all of the little falls and rapids along the way. Note: There is no camping on the Hawksbill Mountain Summit. I would recommend doing it in reverse. (, After you go over Stony Mountain, you run into Rapidan Road. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55. We marked us at just about 8 miles with our trackers. The Big Meadows/Hawksbill Mountain/Rose River trail is actually a combination of short trails to create a nice 20-21 mile loop for those who are looking for a longer hike or a multi-day hike in Shenandoah. The Big Meadows/Hawksbill Mountain/Rose River trail is actually a combination of short trails to create a nice 20-21 mile loop for those who are looking for a longer hike or a multi-day hike in Shenandoah. Length 4.5 miElevation gain 1099 ftRoute type Out & … Saw a rattle sneak, but no injuries. The trail was awesome! Starting with the horse trail leaves the greatest views for the second half. Hawksbill Mountain is the highest mountain in Shenandoah National Park at roughly 4050 feet in elevation. Rose River was my favorite section of the trail. Located in Virginia, this hike is a must do for those adventurous folks passing through the area. Hawksbill Mountain, Franklin Cliffs, Big Meadows Horse Trail is a 9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Syria, Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. 1 comment. Length 9.0 mi Elevation gain 1,893 ft Route type Loop Hiking Forest Views Wild flowers Wildlife Fee Back side much quieter, This trail has beautiful views. Possibly the best fishery in the entire park, Big Run can be accessed via clearly marked trails off of Skyline Drive. From here, this shady trail narrows and begins to ascend. A good hiking route is whiteoak canyon trail -> whiteoak fire rd -> skyland/big meadows horse trail -> lower hawksbill … Getting There. Views from Hawksbill exceeded my expectations. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 2°C on Sat night, min -5°C on Mon night). Close. This is a short 1.4-mile… Blogger by night. Shenandoah National Park covers the rolling, tree-topped terrain of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. This long-standing diner serving classic Southern eats, including breakfast, in down-to-earth digs. Park at Doyle’s River trailhead east of the Skyline near mile marker 81. Hawksbill didn't disappoint! Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/hawksbill-gap-loop On the AT, I was expecting more from Franklin Cliffs. There are over 500 miles of hiking trails here, along with what many say is the most scenic stretch of the Appalachian Trail. This is a very difficult uphill section with some incredibly steep inclines. We took the Hawksbill Fire Road downhill to the trail that led to the upper Hawksbill parking area, a mile downhill from the summit. However, this hike also has the first night at Big Meadows campground—be sure to plan ahead. The difficulty levels for finding campsites and hiking can vary from the given levels with adverse weather conditions and other environmental factors. Trip Report. Lacking sweeping views, the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail is admittedly less interesting than Hawksbill and the AT. Take Salamander Trail down to the Appalachian Trail (AT), 0.8 mile. Follow Skyline Drive until you reach the Milam Gap Parking area. Nice trekk with a good climb up to the summit. The 2nd half was view after view. Hawksbill Mountain Weather (Days 0-3): Mostly dry. We did clockwise because I wanted to save the best scenery for last. We could have easily hiked longer days, but we chose this hike as a test run for my feet after having to quit the Foothills Trail after 20 miles due to injury this summer. In the fall, it was crowded near Big Meadows and the falls. There were no less than 50 people up on the peak of Hawksbill. Turn left onto the AT, hiking 3.4 miles. Upper Hawksbill to Hawksbill Summit Hike 2.1-mile round trip 1.5-hours hiking time Easiest 520-foot elevation gain From the Upper Hawksbill parking area at mile 46.5, take the Upper Hawksbill Trail to Byrds Nest 2 Shelter and then follow the trail to the viewing platform. We completed it in two and a half days and did about 7 miles a day. Big Meadows Lodge is located one mile from the large, grassy meadow at mile 51 on Skyline Drive - a meadow which is ideal for gorgeous night skies viewing.. You can also take the Big Run Loop Trail from the Big Run Overlook to the Big Run Portal Trail a … I’m an Orlando based teacher who takes every chance I get to travel the world and experience everything it has to offer. Book Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah National Park on Tripadvisor: See 1,334 traveler reviews, 667 candid photos, and great deals for Big Meadows Lodge, ranked #3 of 8 specialty lodging in Shenandoah National Park and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor. I recommend it. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this hike. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/hawksbill-summit Eventually, you will begin a slow incline up into the mountains as you get to see awesome overlooks of the valley along the way. If you like to wear hiking boots to protect your ankles, this is a trail where they could come in handy. It was very busy on a weekday afternoon at Hawksbill summit. We went clockwise which saves the views for the end. That trail will continue until it reaches Skyline Drive, Cross Skyline Dr. and continue on the trail for. Follow Route 29 to Warrenton where you follow signs for route 211. Later becoming colder with a dusting of snow on Thu night. great 270 degree view, especially after heavy snow. Come on in you will feel right at home. This is the most popular hiking trail in the park and it is always recommended by park staff. The Big Meadows Horse Trail was just a connector and a boring one at that. The beginning of the hike gave more solitude but was nothing special. The trail was pretty easy going but rocky at parts. Follow the the road to the right for, When Rapidan Road comes up to a horse trail on the left, turn and follow the horse trail, At the mile marker of the horse trail, there is a T. If you go left, you will be able to see Big Rock Falls (add. See my detailed report at: https://travel2walk.com/2019/10/16/virginia-hikes-franklin-cliffs-hawksbill-mountain-loop-october-15-2019/. Great trail, did it in reverse, horse trail first summit last. The following items, while obvious, are what I would recommend to bring on this trail: The Big Meadows section of this hike is mostly well-marked, well cleared paths through the forest. The hike down to the Rose River Falls is … Did this clockwise with my family, youngest is 5. Hawksbill viewed from Big Meadows. This was the only thing that Eric and I had to go on, Eating Live Octopus in South Korea: A Truly Strange Adventure, 12 EXTREMELY Important Tips for Hiking to Machu Picchu, The Neuschwanstein Castle was Built by a Crazy King, Copied by Disney, and is Still Standing Today, Ecuador Packing List: How I Packed for 2 Weeks in a Carry-On, Start at the Milam Gap Parking Area and hike north on the Appalachian Trail (white blazes) to Ridge Rd. Hawksbill is very popular spot, at the trailhead it's hard to find regular parking spot, just park at road side; plan to spend 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours on the trail and reserve 10-20 minutes at the peak to enjoy the view at the highest point of Shenandoah mountain-4051 feet. Here the Rose River Fire Road descends gently into a wooded hollow; roughly 30 yards down the gravel track, bear left onto the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail, your guide for the remaining five miles back to Hawksbill Gap. The amenities vary by room type. Fees are $35 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle. Go up Stony Mountain Trail. Teacher by day. Visit campground office for walk-in site. Located in Shenandoah national park, this trail combination hits all of the highlights you would want to see on one hike through the park. They offered good views but were nowhere near as dramatic as Hawkbill's summit. From Washington, D.C. area, take Interstate 66 West to US Route 29 south. A beautiful trail with fantastic views, especially at Hawksbill Mountain! Lewis Mountain Campground Located off mile 57.5 of Skyline Drive, Lewis Mountain is the smallest campground in the Park. Rather overgrown and very muggy but still enjoyable. The trail is primarily used for hiking. I checked out the hike for the foliage in mid October in 2019. Eric and I took a long lunch here and had a nice picnic by the river. Enjoy the view from the highest peak in the park. From the parking area start down the Cedar Run Trail for 50 yards to the intersection of the Big Meadows Horse Trail. Included is a visit to Hawksbill Summit, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park. However, make sure that you refill your bottles at every opportunity. Posted by 2 hours ago. She hiked the whole way herself. Dear people coming from Skyline Drive at the base of Hawksbill Summit, looking for Big Meadows. Make sure that you hang up your overnight parking pass! There are a few lookout points on the mountain as well as a small picnic area. 8. There is also an option of shortening the distance, and vertical gain, by opting out of the Lewis Spring Falls section for a total of 6.1 mls and 1530ft gain. The horse trail is very peaceful. Great views but OMG the crowds at the top and trails leading up. Turn right onto SBMH and hike 2.9 miles to Rose River Loop Trail. One visitor wrote: “Simple country-style at its best! Park at Milam Gap (Mile Point 53). Embossed on the aluminum band are the names of the trails and arrows pointing in the direction of each trail. Turn left onto Hawksbill Mountain Trail, 1.8 miles. It was basically a few outcroppings along the AT. Because this multi-day hike in Shenandoah doesn’t have a large amount of water sources, we recommend carrying at least 2 to 3 liters of water per person, two if you aren’t using water to cook. When the service trail ends, it turns into a trail that curves to your left. Three waterfalls are within walking distance; Big Meadows, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, is close by. Follow the trail that heads right labeled Stony Mountain Trail. In summer, it’s quite green, with lots of low-growth plants and ferns along either side of the trail. We went in Winter when the trees were dead, but I’m sure it is even more beautiful during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Nearby Attractions: Luray-Hawksbill Greenway; Big Meadows Lodge; New Market Battlefield State Historical Park; Endless Caverns Big Meadows Lodge is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, fall foliage, sightseeing, or a family trip that the kids will never forget. I enjoyed the Franklin Cliff section of the AT, though Hawksbill Mountain might had the better view. Very pretty and not a lot of people at the end but on a Monday. Rose River Trail will continue until it ends at, When Rose River Trail ends at the Dark Hollows Waterfall, you will see a service road that crosses over the river. Once you have wrapped around the mountain, you will connect with Rose River trail. Park at Hawksbill Gap. From the Thornton Gap entrance, take Skyline Drive south for 15.2 miles to reach the parking area, on your right. These are three of the most beautiful falls in the SNP. Hike until you cross Tanner’s Ridge Road be on the lookout for a small service road after it: You will pass the Big Meadows campground and lodge which will be located on your left. Adventurer always. This is your best spot for camping until after you summit Hawksbill Mountain. Hike up Lower Hawksbill Mountain Trail, 0.9 mile. Shenandoah Entry Fee: $30 per car OR use your America the Beautiful: National Parks Pass, Difficulty: Beginner-Moderate (It could be difficult for beginners because of the distance and the rocks), Recommended Maps: National Geographic # 228 Shenandoah. Also -AllTrails needs to update their information - This hike and parking area are OPEN. The views from Franklin Cliffs look out on the Massanutten range to the west, and there is a spectacular 270 degree panorama from the Hawksbill Summit with a view of Old Rag. Hawksbill Diner. Turn left to Big Meadows Campground (several spur trails lead there). Shenandoah National Park (VA): Big Meadows, Hawksbill & Rose River 3-day Backpacking Loop. Marking the border between Madison County and Page County in Virginia, the summit of Hawksbill Mountain is the highest point in Shenandoah National Park, as well as the highest point in both Madison and Page counties.. Continue down it until, past Salamander Trail, until it ends. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Overall, it's a good hike with a healthy distance; however, if you're only in it for the views, you could probably accomplish the same doing the 2.6 mile Hawksbill Gap Loop via the AT. We crossed Skyline Drive and took a short while to find the concrete post to the west (right) of the parking area that led to the Big Meadows Horse Trail. Note there is a 6-7 mile stretch between Big Meadows and Rose River that doesn’t have water and has a huge ascent, so plan ahead there. Things to do near Big Meadows Lodge Dining on Tripadvisor: See 4,562 reviews and 4,518 candid photos of things to do near Big Meadows Lodge Dining in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Upper Hawksbill Trailhead – 46.5 Spitler Knoll Overlook – 48 Franklin Cliffs Overlook – 48.9 Fishers Gap Overlook – 49.3 Dark Hollow Falls Trailhead – 50.4 Big Meadows / Byrd Visitor Center – 51 Big Meadows Wayside – 51 Rapidan Fire Road (meadow) Parking – 51 Parking for Lewis Falls Trail – 51.1 The first half of the hike, before getting to the AT, was decent but largely unremarkable. Looking for a unique local dining experience. Hawksbill Mountain, Franklin Cliffs, Big Meadows Horse Trail is a 9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Syria, Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. For camping until after you summit Hawksbill Mountain might had the better view fallen.. A weekday afternoon at Hawksbill summit ) first, and the Falls https //www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/hawksbill-gap-loop... Dramatic as Hawkbill 's summit 47mm ), heaviest during Thu afternoon Shenandoah. 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