Shenandoah National Park

Old Rag Mountain

The rock scramble every Virginia hiker eventually takes on

Distance

9.4 mi

Elevation gain

2,348 ft

Difficulty

Very Strenuous

Route

Loop

Time

8 hr

Fee requiredDogs not allowedScrambleRockyViewsForest

A 9.4-mile circuit in Madison County climbing to a 3,284-foot granite summit, known for its exposed rock scramble and status as the most popular hike in Shenandoah National Park.

Directions to the trailhead

The Climb

1,424 ftHigh point · 3,274 ft1,142 ft · +2,348 ft gain

What to Expect

Parking: Main Old Rag parking lot closed for infrastructure work through November 2026 (paving, new contact station, restrooms). Use the overflow lot or upper lot on Nethers Road instead.
Fees: Entrance fee or day-use ticket required March through November; check NPS.gov for the current ticket system before visiting.
Dogs: Not permitted
Best seasons: spring, fall
Water: No reliable water sources on trail; carry all water in
Cell service: Unreliable to none for most of the route
Hazards: Class 2-3 rock scramble with exposed sections; not recommended in wet or icy conditions