Category: United States

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Virginia, this hike takes you from the eastern side of the mountains to a view west. Much of it will give you a workout within the lush Virginian forest, but clear views are to be had at Mary’s Rock.

As an out and back, this hike is about 8 miles. Take the Buck Hollow Trail up through the Virginian woods along a stream. Eventually you’ll come to a parking lot along Skyline Drive. Take a left along Skyline Drive for a moment, then cross the road to take the Meadow Spring Trail. Once you hit the Appalachian Trail, take a right and before you know it, you’ll be at Mary’s Rock.

Whether you climb to the top of the rock to gain a higher vantage point or not, the views from Mary’s Rock are beautiful. You can take your time here, if you’d like, and soak it all in. It would be a good time to hydrate, eat a bit and rest up for the journey back the way you came.

The hike begins off of Route 211, east of the Thorton Gap Entrance to Shenandoah National Park. There is a small area for cars to park immediately off the road.

In Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, this walk through the woods starts with a beautiful view of the Appalachians via an overlook and ends with 180 degree views looking west from Mary’s Rock.

Starting at the Jewell Hollow Overlook, the trail is at the end of the back parking lot further away from the road. You’ll see the trail, but quickly there is a decision to make: go left or straight? The question is basically, go north or south on the Appalachian Trail. For our purposes choose straight, which is north. Left is a wonderful option too, but you won’t get to Mary’s Rock that way. The trail will soon curve around in front of, but below, Jewell Hollow Overlook.

Continue north through the trees for a few miles until you get to Mary’s Rock. Enjoy the views, refuel a bit, and when you’re ready, come on back the way you came.

This hike begins at the Jewell Hollow Overlook along Skyline Drive just south of the Thornton Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park. However, there are numerous starting points along the Appalachian Trail that will still take you to Mary’s Rock. This is one of them. Take a look at a trail map around Mary’s Rock and this much more expansive map.