Etlan, Virginia
Old Rag Mountain Loop
Shenandoah's iconic granite scramble with panoramic Blue Ridge views.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Length
- 9.4 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 2,415 ft
- Duration
- 6–8
- Best Season
- Apr–Nov
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Rock scramble, Granite summit
About the trail
Old Rag is the most popular and challenging day hike in Shenandoah National Park. The Ridge Trail climbs through oak forest before emerging onto a 1-mile rock scramble — a true Class 3 sequence of chimneys, squeezes, and ledges. The summit is a jumble of granite boulders with 360° views. Descend via the Saddle Trail and Weakley Hollow Fire Road for a full loop.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 38.5530, -78.3170Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Reserve a Shenandoah day-use ticket online (Mar–Nov).
- Park at the Old Rag Fee Station lot on Nethers Road.
- Walk the connector road to the Ridge Trail trailhead.
- Climb 2.5 miles to the scramble section.
- Negotiate the boulder scramble to the summit.
- Descend via Saddle Trail, Weakley Hollow Fire Road, and Berry Hollow back to the lot.
Parking
Old Rag Fee Station lot off Nethers Road. Day-use ticket required.
Tips from the trail
- Skip in wet weather — the scramble is treacherous on slick granite.
- Wear a small daypack — large packs get stuck in the chimney squeezes.
- Go clockwise (Ridge up, Saddle down) for the best experience.