Autumn is one of the best times to head out into nature. With the cooling temperatures and changing foliage, the natural beauty is unmatched. And since hiking is one of those activities that doesn’t require experience, everyone can enjoy the incredible views. So, whether you just want to take in the scenery or you’re an expert hiker looking for a challenge, these trails at Shenandoah National Park are sure to meet your needs.
For Scenic Overlooks
Shorter hikes include the Frazier Discovery Trail and Blackrock Summit.
Both hikes are about an hour long and they are both some of the easiest ways to get exceptional views of the valley below. With elevations of 429 and 175 feet, respectively, you don’t have to focus on much more than the fall leaves below.
For a Vigorous Workout
One of the more strenuous hikes through the National Park includes the Cedar Run-White Oak circuit. It takes about seven hours to do the 8-mile round trip that brings you to elevations of 2,794 feet.
Nicholson Hollow is a trek similar to Cedar Run-White Oak, except you can bring your equally ambitious pet with you to trek through 8 miles of trail and up 1,240 feet in elevation.
For Waterfalls
Dark Hollow Falls is a shorter hike that’s a 1.4-mile circuit trek through some of the park’s most gorgeous waterfalls. You can’t bring your pet on this hour-long hike, but you can take some photos home to share with them from this moderately difficult journey.
For a longer adventure that’s moderately strenuous, hike through Browns Gap, a 6.5-mile circuit through designated wilderness (read: you’re on your own) for seven hours. This is probably a given, but don’t bring a pet.
For Bird-Watching
If you’ve got a mom who loves the birds, but maybe needs an easier trail, the Appalachian Trail-Tanners Ridge Road hike is one of the easiest round-trip hikes with the most level trails.
If your mom is into moderately intense, longer hikes, then this is the bird-watching circuit for you: The South River Falls Observation Point is a 2.6-mile round trip that brings you to 850 feet elevation over the course of an hour and 15 minutes.
Take the Kids
For a self-guided pathway trail, Fox Hollow Trail brings you through a cemetery and periwinkle fields over the 1.2-mile course. This is also one of the easiest trails if your kids are on the younger side — but no pets are allowed.
A good one for kids and pets? Try Traces Trail. It’s a circuit around a campground that’s also easy, but has a solid track that’s just shy of 2 miles. It also maintains a lower elevation than Fox Hollow Trail.
For Introverts
If you prefer a long walk by yourself, Knob Mountain-Jeremy’s Run lets you blow off seven hours of steam. It takes you on a 6-mile circuit that’s moderately strenuous, and up to 1,200 feet.
If you still need alone time — just not as much — Millers Head takes you on a two-hour climb up a rocky overlook from a former fire tower. The return is a bit steep, but it is an easy hike.
Feature image, Tyler Rickenbach/stock.adobe.com
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