Posted in Virginia
January 23, 2017
One Of The Most Beautiful Day Hikes In America Is Right Here In Virginia
Virginia boasts a lot of bests in terms of outdoor opportunity. Between the magnificent caverns, rolling hills, impressive mountains, and the coast, you could never run out of things to explore. And while we Virginians have always known the hikes here are out-of-this-world, it turns out we’re not alone in our opinion. According to Adventure Journal’s 20 Best Day Hikes In America, the Ridge Trail leading to Old Rag Mountain is one of the best in the entire country. Here’s more on this phenomenal trek:
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Before you head out, be sure to pack plenty of water and something to snack on, as you’ll be in for quite an adventure. This trail is roughly 8 miles in length, taking around 6 hours to complete at a moderate pace.
Be sure to read all the information here before you get going. You’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the trail as well as the rare plants located in the area.
In these two miles alone, you’ll notice change in vegetation with the increased altitude. Also be on the lookout for beautiful wildflowers if you’re hiking during the spring or summer.
At this point in the hike, you’ll make your way out of the woods and onto the ridge line. For about a mile and a half, there will be a series of boulders to navigate.
Luckily, everything is very well-treaded and very well-marked.
At the top, you’ll be able to see nearly 200,000 acres of Shenandoah National Park’s protected land.
If you do choose to make the trek during winter, be sure to bundle up and pack extra layers. You’ll enjoy the added visibility, but temperatures will be low at the higher altitude.
And fortunately, it's right here in our very own backyard. For more information on the hike, trail maps, and parking directions, click here.
Have you hiked Old Rag recently? Feel free to share any tips with us! If you’re looking for some amazing views but are hoping for something a little more manageable, here are 11 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List.
