Shenandoah National Park - Hiking (U.S. National Park Service)

For the safety of park visitors, the park has temporarily closed the upper and lower parking areas at Panorama while construction work is occurring. Therefore, the Marys Rock–Appalachian Trail trailhead is closed to all public access and vehicle parking.

For more information, click here.

For a handout containing Panorama closure information and alternative hikes, click here (pdf, 40 kb).

A hiker makes his way up Old Rag on a foggy day.

A hiker begins his journey to the top of Old Rag Mountain.

Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Many trails are accessed from Skyline Drive. Some short trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint; longer and more difficult trails penetrate deep into the forest and wilderness.

Click here for a list of printable (Adobe PDF format) hiking maps.

Limberlost Trail (milepost 43), is ADA accessible, with a crushed green walkway on a gentle grade. This circuit hike of 1.3 miles is for people of all ages. The trail passes through forest and a stand of mountain laurel - stunningly beautiful when it blooms in June. The forest is ever-changing! Once tall hemlocks and oaks shaded this trail, but most have been killed by insect invaders: the wooly adelgid and the gypsy moth. Recent storms have felled many of the dead trees. Today, notice what lives, including birches, maples, white pines. Look for wildflowers, from the bluets and violets of April to the yarrow, yellow hawkweed, and wild columbine of summer; discover ferns and mushrooms; listen for birds. And contemplate the resilience of nature.

Several commercial businesses are permitted to offer guided hiking and hiker support services in Shenandoah National Park.