![]() ![]() Old Rag Circuit proves the most trafficked trail to the mountain's peak, though potential hikers should keep in mind that this loop covers almost 9.5 miles and more than 2,300 feet in elevation gain. The most popular hike in Shenandoah National Park and one of the most popular hikes in the mid-Atlantic region, summiting Old Rag is strenuous for even experienced hikers. More information about skyline drive is available online through the National Park Service website. Still, all other automobiles should be able to make the trek. Steep downhills mean that drivers must be prepared to shift into low gears, and a tunnel along the route means only vehicles with a clearance of 12 feet, 8 inches can make the drive. The only public road in the park, Skyline Drive is generally open 24/7, but does occasionally close due to inclement weather or snow removal. Visitor Center both sit along Skyline Drive and provide a variety of facilities. Travelers can access Skyline Drive from four points: Front Royal Entrance Station (northernmost entrance), Thornton Gap Entrance Station, Swift Run Gap Entrance Station, and Rockfish Gap Entrance Station (southernmost entrance). The road is free to access with park admission. Nature lovers should keep their eyes peeled for the park's residents, ranging from wild turkey and deer to black bears. They also praise the numerous places to pull over and swap drivers, snap photos or enjoy the panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley. Past visitors appreciated the road's 35 mph speed limit, which they say allowed them to enjoy the stunning vistas along the two-lane road safely. Since completing construction in 1939 (the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program during the Great Depression that employed young men to work on environmental projects, built many of the road's amenities), Skyline Drive has been the central fixture of Shenandoah National Park, enabling travelers to take in the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont Plain to the east. The paved road runs 105 miles and covers the length of Shenandoah National Park, taking about three hours to drive in a single day. Source/ Photo Credit:, north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyline Drive earns its place as one of the most scenic drives in the country. Some of these hiking trails lead to a beautiful waterfall or viewpoint other trails take you deep into the forest and wilderness. The rich vegetation and large wild land helps support an impressive array of mammals – over 50 species – including the black bear. Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of hiking trails, including over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The Skyline Drive is 105 miles long with an impressive 75 scenic overlooks - may be the most beautiful road in America. ![]() The Skyline Drive, the only public road in Shenandoah National Park, runs north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition to these geological treasures, Shenandoah National Park also contains cascading waterfalls, stunning vistas, and quiet wooded valleys that are perfect to hike through with friends and family. These mountains form unique formations that can tower over 4,000 ft. Shenandoah National Park lies along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northern central region of Virginia. Its total area is almost 200,000 acres, with almost 80,000 of those acres designated as “wilderness". ![]() Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia about 75 miles outside of Washington, D.C. ![]()
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