Shenandoah National Park

Auto Touring Skyline Drive

The Skyline Drive, designated a National Scenic Byway, runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is the only public road through the park. You can enter the drive at four places:

• Front Royal near Rt. 66 and 340
• Thornton Gap at Rt. 211
• Swift Run Gap at Rt. 33
• Rockfish Gap at Rt. 64 (continuing south as the Blue Ridge Parkway).

The maximum speed limit on the drive is 35 mph and it takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park. To help drivers locate points of interest in the park, the drive features concrete mileposts that all park maps and information use for reference. The mileposts are on the west side of the drive, begin with 0 at Front Royal and continue to 105 at the southern end of the park.

Big Meadows, the largest developed area in the park is located near the center of the park, at milepost 51. The drive features seventy five overlooks with stunning views. The drive also leads through Marys Rock Tunnel (just south of Thornton Gap entrance from Route 211, near milepost 33).

Hiking

With over 500 miles of hiking trails, including over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, the park is also a premier destination for hikers.

Old Rag

An especially popular hike is Old Rag, a 7-mile loop that covers forests, hollows, and rocky top. The peak, at 3291 feet, has great views of the park and the surrounding countryside. The trail is strenuous, with 2200 feet of elevation gain and a rock scramble at the end. To reach the trailhead, travel north from Madison about 13 miles on Route 231, and turn left on Nethers Road. A small parking area at the trailhead fills up early, but a much larger parking area is available less than a mile down the road.

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