Also -AllTrails needs to update their information - This hike and parking area are OPEN. Big Meadows Lodge features a range of accommodations from detached small cabins, preferred and traditional rooms, and suites. Follow the trail that heads right labeled Stony Mountain Trail. The trail was pretty easy going but rocky at parts. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Later becoming colder with a dusting of snow on Thu night. I hiked it in running shoes, but I relied heavily on my trekking poles to keep me stable. save. On this hike, you will see mountaintops, waterfalls, beautiful rivers, and amazing trees. 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. Follow Route 29 to Warrenton where you follow signs for route 211. It was basically a few outcroppings along the AT. Great loop. Fees are $35 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle. The hike down to the Rose River Falls is … Turn left onto Hawksbill Mountain Trail, 1.8 miles. Three waterfalls are within walking distance; Big Meadows, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, is close by. Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Mon morning, gales from the NW by Mon night). Shenandoah National Park itself is HUGE, cover over 300 square miles of mountains, forests, and adventure. That trail will continue until it reaches Skyline Drive, Cross Skyline Dr. and continue on the trail for. Turn left and follow the service road, The service road will end up curving and splitting into two sections of trail. The amenities vary by room type. The Big Meadows Horse Trail was just a connector and a boring one at that. Continue down it until, past Salamander Trail, until it ends. 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. We went right at the trails (hawksbill summit) first, and the last third of the trail was in thick woods. Park at Doyle’s River trailhead east of the Skyline near mile marker 81. While the Salamander Trail and the Upper Hawksbill Parking Spur Trail might see a lot of foot travel during prime hiking season the 3 miles of the Skyland/Big Meadows Horse Trail will provide you with some degree of solitude. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this hike. Big Meadows Campground Near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the Park. Great views, particularly on hawksbill summit. From the parking area start down the Cedar Run Trail for 50 yards to the intersection of the Big Meadows Horse Trail. There are over 500 miles of hiking trails here, along with what many say is the most scenic stretch of the Appalachian Trail. However, make sure that you refill your bottles at every opportunity. Blogger by night. Starting with the horse trail leaves the greatest views for the second half. However, this hike also has the first night at Big Meadows campground—be sure to plan ahead. In the fall, it was crowded near Big Meadows and the falls. 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. Follow Skyline Drive until you reach the Milam Gap Parking area. I highly recommend this hike to anyone in the Shenandoah area. Turn left to Big Meadows Campground (several spur trails lead there). We completed it in two and a half days and did about 7 miles a day. Looking for a unique local dining experience. They offered good views but were nowhere near as dramatic as Hawkbill's summit. Possibly the best fishery in the entire park, Big Run can be accessed via clearly marked trails off of Skyline Drive. (, After you go over Stony Mountain, you run into Rapidan Road. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Great trail, did it in reverse, horse trail first summit last. If you like to wear hiking boots to protect your ankles, this is a trail where they could come in handy. The first half of the hike, before getting to the AT, was decent but largely unremarkable. 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. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/hawksbill-gap-loop See my detailed report at: https://travel2walk.com/2019/10/16/virginia-hikes-franklin-cliffs-hawksbill-mountain-loop-october-15-2019/. Visit campground office for walk-in site. Hawksbill Mountain is the highest mountain in Shenandoah National Park at roughly 4050 feet in elevation. Hawksbill Mountain is a mountain with an elevation of 4,050 feet (1,234 m). Enjoy. Embossed on the aluminum band are the names of the trails and arrows pointing in the direction of each trail. 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. I would recommend doing it in reverse. There were no less than 50 people up on the peak of Hawksbill. The Trailhead: The Upper Hawksbill trailhead is on the west side of Skyline Drive at milepost 46.7. 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. She hiked the whole way herself. Dear people coming from Skyline Drive at the base of Hawksbill Summit, looking for Big Meadows. Highest point in Shenandoah National Park. 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. 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. The difficulty levels for finding campsites and hiking can vary from the given levels with adverse weather conditions and other environmental factors. Included is a visit to Hawksbill Summit, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park. The 2nd half was view after view. One visitor wrote: “Simple country-style at its best! Located in Virginia, this hike is a must do for those adventurous folks passing through the area. Lodging accommodations range from main lodge rooms to detached small cabins, preferred and traditional rooms, suites, and pet friendly rooms - all located within walking distance of the main lodge building. Adventurer always. Once you go through town, you take a right to stay on 211, which is 34 miles from Skyline Drive via the Thornton Gap Entrance. We went clockwise saving hawksbill for last. 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 Rose River was my favorite section of the trail. I enjoyed the Franklin Cliff section of the AT, though Hawksbill Mountain might had the better view. Park at Milam Gap (Mile Point 53). Lacking sweeping views, the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail is admittedly less interesting than Hawksbill and the AT. This is a short 1.4-mile… Enter Shenandoah National Park from State Road 33 and make a right on Skyline Drive. 1 comment. The Hawksbill Summit was very busy but there were other more private vistas on Salamander Trail and the AT, definitely should plan your lunch for one of those. Shenandoah National Park covers the rolling, tree-topped terrain of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. We took the Hawksbill Fire Road downhill to the trail that led to the upper Hawksbill parking area, a mile downhill from the summit. Awesome lookout points for beautiful views and breaks along the way. The Three Falls hike is a circuit that passes Rose River Falls, Dark Hollow Falls, and Lewis Spring Falls. Hike up Lower Hawksbill Mountain Trail, 0.9 mile. Shenandoah National Park (VA): Big Meadows, Hawksbill & Rose River 3-day Backpacking Loop. Close. Turn left at the cement post and hike to the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse (SBMH) Trail. It follows Rose River and has two large waterfalls. These are three of the most beautiful falls in the SNP. Lewis Mountain Campground Located off mile 57.5 of Skyline Drive, Lewis Mountain is the smallest campground in the Park. Lots of bear sign and some bobcat scat. If you are looking for an awesome multi-day hike in Shenandoah National Park, then this one is worth a look! Turn left onto the AT, hiking 3.4 miles. Turn right and walk along Skyline Drive less than 100 yards (crossing to get to post). Learn how your comment data is processed. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. Nearby Attractions: Luray-Hawksbill Greenway; Big Meadows Lodge; New Market Battlefield State Historical Park; Endless Caverns Shenandoah National Park (VA): Big Meadows, Hawksbill & Rose River 3-day Backpacking Loop. Nice trail. I’m here to blog about all of the cool things while showing you how to pursue your dreams as well. The Best Trail Near Gainesville, Florida: San Felasco Hammock Trail, The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: The Complete Guide, Hiking in Northern Italy: A “Can’t Miss” Experience. 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. 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. youtu.be/aG5-9X... Trip Report. 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. It wasn't nearly as large a feature as I expected. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. From the Thornton Gap entrance, take Skyline Drive south for 15.2 miles to reach the parking area, on your right. The beginning of the hike gave more solitude but was nothing special. 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 trail is primarily used for hiking. When the service trail ends, it turns into a trail that curves to your left. Posted by 2 hours ago. Unfortunately when we summited the mountain, clouds rolled in and it was too foggy to see anything! Highly recommend! I had a blast stopping and taking pictures of all of the little falls and rapids along the way. This long-standing diner serving classic Southern eats, including breakfast, in down-to-earth digs. The trail is primarily used for hiking. This trail was EXTREMELY rocky, as is most of the Appalachian Trail. 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. The trail was awesome! 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. Turn left at the T and follow Rose River Trail down to the river. I checked out the hike for the foliage in mid October in 2019. 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. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 2°C on Sat night, min -5°C on Mon night). 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. 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. 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. Hawksbill viewed from Big Meadows. Getting There. This is a very difficult uphill section with some incredibly steep inclines. As soon as you start on the trail down from Skyline Drive, you will see a concrete post with an aluminum band around it. Keep in mind that packing for a hike depends on a couple of things: The speed you hike, how long it will take you to complete the trail, availability of water, and the season. However, if solitude is something you are looking for this hike isn’t for you. From here, this shady trail narrows and begins to ascend. I’m an Orlando based teacher who takes every chance I get to travel the world and experience everything it has to offer. 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. Hawksbill Mountain Weather (Days 0-3): Mostly dry. A beautiful trail with fantastic views, especially at Hawksbill Mountain! share. Back side much quieter, This trail has beautiful views. Come back down the service road that you came up. (Days 3-6): Heavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Take Salamander Trail down to the Appalachian Trail (AT), 0.8 mile. White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop, Cedar Run Trail to Hawksbill to White Oak Trail Loop, Robertson Mountain and Old Rag Mountain Loop from Skyline, Lower White Oak Falls via Whiteoak Canyon Trail, Cedar Run, White Oak, Old Rag, Weakley Hollow and Nicholson Hollow Trail, Hawksbill via Appalachian Trail and Redgate Road, Cedar Run Trail to White Oak Fire Road Loop, Old Rag Fire Road, Weakley Hollow and Robertson Mountain Loop, Crescent Rock Overlook via Crescent Rock Trail and Limberlost Trail, White Oak Canyon Trail to Upper Falls Overlook, Hawksbill Mountain, Franklin Cliffs, Big Meadows Horse Trail. Nice trekk with a good climb up to the summit. Hawksbill didn't disappoint! 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.. Hawksbill Diner. In summer, it’s quite green, with lots of low-growth plants and ferns along either side of the trail. That gives you a sense of difficulty. Turn right onto SBMH and hike 2.9 miles to Rose River Loop Trail. Saw a rattle sneak, but no injuries. 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.. The trail is primarily used for hiking. It was very busy on a weekday afternoon at Hawksbill summit. Park at Hawksbill Gap. Make sure that you hang up your overnight parking pass! Did this clockwise with my family, youngest is 5. 8. A good hiking route is whiteoak canyon trail -> whiteoak fire rd -> skyland/big meadows horse trail -> lower hawksbill … Great views but OMG the crowds at the top and trails leading up. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/hawksbill-summit We did clockwise because I wanted to save the best scenery for last. Go up Stony Mountain Trail. Clockwise worked well for me. Note: There is no camping on the Hawksbill Mountain Summit. The horse trail is very peaceful. There are a few lookout points on the mountain as well as a small picnic area. The horse trail acts as a connector to bring you back around. Hawksbill Summit via Appalachian Trail is a 4.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Stanley, Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Because of this, you spend a lot of time looking at the ground to avoid tripping. From Washington, D.C. area, take Interstate 66 West to US Route 29 south. Hawksbill Diner: Lil diner at Big Meadows - See 109 traveler reviews, 25 candid photos, and great deals for Stanley, VA, at Tripadvisor. Length 9.0 mi Elevation gain 1,893 ft Route type Loop Hiking Forest Views Wild flowers Wildlife Fee You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55. On the AT, I was expecting more from Franklin Cliffs. 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. Eventually, you will begin a slow incline up into the mountains as you get to see awesome overlooks of the valley along the way. Views from Hawksbill exceeded my expectations. Here’s where the locals eat and chat! Teacher by day. This is your best spot for camping until after you summit Hawksbill Mountain. Open daily for breakfast and lunch! 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. Enjoy the view from the highest peak in the park. Continue on the Big Meadows trail to Fisher’s Gap, Continue toward Spitler Knoll which ends up side by side with Skyline Drive. Shenandoah National Park charges a fee to enter. It was still in the very early stages with some a little red here and there, but mostly green with a hit of yellow coming in. A variation of the Big Meadows & Rose River trip listed above, this is a fantastic two-night trip in the backcountry. great 270 degree view, especially after heavy snow. Once you have wrapped around the mountain, you will connect with Rose River trail. I recommend it. We marked us at just about 8 miles with our trackers. I honestly struggled to find information about this specific trail when I was doing research for a multi-day hike in Shenandoah, so I decided to do a specific write up so that it would be easier for future hikers to combine the trails. Trip Report. While the Hawksbill Summit Hike has a steady incline to the summit, the Hawksbill Loop Hike takes a different approach. Eric and I took a long lunch here and had a nice picnic by the river. Rather overgrown and very muggy but still enjoyable. It is uphill the whole time, and there are no good places to camp due to incline and fallen trees. 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. Lots of inclines, leading to some great elevation gains. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Day Two Very pretty and not a lot of people at the end but on a Monday. Big Meadows Lodge is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, fall foliage, sightseeing, or a family trip that the kids will never forget. Located in Shenandoah national park, this trail combination hits all of the highlights you would want to see on one hike through the park. 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. You can also take the Big Run Loop Trail from the Big Run Overlook to the Big Run Portal Trail a … We went clockwise which saves the views for the end. This was the only thing that Eric and I had to go on besides the National Geographic map, and we found it a bit confusing. Length 4.5 miElevation gain 1099 ftRoute type Out & … And follow Rose River trip listed above, this trail was EXTREMELY rocky, as is most the... The Park the little Falls and rapids along the way signs for Route 211 to your left Southern eats including... 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