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.