Hiking Old Rag Mountain: Rock Scrambles, Boulders & Blue Ridge Views
Cori Strathmeyer
Old Rag Mountain is one of those hikes where getting to the summit is every bit as memorable as the view from the top.
At 3,291 feet, Old Rag isn’t the highest mountain in Shenandoah National Park. That distinction belongs to Hawksbill Mountain at 4,050 feet, which can be reached on a considerably shorter hike. But hiking Old Rag is about much more than reaching a high point.
The classic Old Rag Circuit climbs steadily through the forest before emerging into a rugged landscape of enormous granite boulders. From there, hiking turns into scrambling as the Ridge Trail takes you over rocks, between boulders and through narrow openings on the way to the top. The exposed summit provides a 360-degree panorama across the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Old Rag is formed from ancient granite dating back roughly one billion years, remnants of a mountain range that existed long before today’s Blue Ridge Mountains took shape.
Hiking Old Rag is an iconic experience: the forest climb, the boulders, the scrambling, the false summit that teases you with your first expansive views, and finally, continuous mountain and valley views.
We hiked Old Rag on a Thursday in October, arriving early at the trailhead in anticipation of one of our favorite combinations: a challenging hike and fall color. It took us 5.5 hours of walking and scrambling, plus another hour of oohs and aahs at the top.
We presented our permit to the Park Ranger, crossed the wooden planks and began our adventure on the dirt trail. As we climbed, golden trees lined the pathway. By the time we reached the summit, the color had expanded into mountainsides of red, orange, yellow and green.
This was exactly why we had chosen autumn for Old Rag.
Autumn color viewed from the summit of Old Rag mountain in Shenandoah National Park
Old Rag Trailhead & Parking & Admittance
Old Rag is not accessed from Skyline Drive.
The main Old Rag parking area and trailhead are located along the eastern boundary of Shenandoah National Park. Follow the park’s directions listed at the bottom of the park’s official map.
A Shenandoah National Park entrance pass and an Old Rag day-use ticket are required during the ticketing season. There is no separate parking fee. America the Beautiful annual passes and other qualifying park passes are accepted for park admission. The Old Rag day-use ticket does not guarantee a parking space.
The trailhead area has restroom facilities and a ranger contact station where park staff check entrance passes and day-use tickets.
Important 2026 update: The main Old Rag parking lot is currently closed for an infrastructure improvement project that began May 4, 2026 and is expected to continue through November. Visitors are being directed to the existing overflow parking lots. Check the park website shortly before your visit for the latest information.
Hiking the Old Rag Circuit
The classic Old Rag Circuit follows a combination of hiking trails and fire roads, creating a loop around the mountain. The National Park Service estimates the hike to take 7- 7.5 hours.
The Ridge Trail begins with a steady climb through the hardwood forest. As the trail gains elevation, the dirt path gives way to increasingly rocky terrain.
And then the real fun begins.
The rock scramble requires using your hands and feet to climb over boulders, squeeze through narrow openings and occasionally lower yourself between enormous rocks. Some sections require a bit of thought as you figure out the best way to maneuver through them.
I made the mistake of carrying my regular hiking pack and had to remove it several times to squeeze through the narrow spaces.
Along the way, you’ll reach a false summit with impressive views. It’s tempting to think you’ve made it, but there is more scrambling ahead.
Eventually, the Ridge Trail reaches Old Rag’s exposed granite summit.
We spent an hour exploring the rocks, enjoying a snack and taking in the colorful Blue Ridge Mountains stretching in every direction.
Hikers enjoying a rest on the Old Rag summit
Saddle Trail & the Hike Down
From the summit, the blue-blazed Saddle Trail begins the descent. The trail passes Old Rag Shelter, then transitions to a fire road. At the intersection, continue along Weakley Hollow Fire Road. Follow the parking area signs onto the Ridge Access Trail for the final stretch.
Compared with the climb, the descent is much less technical, making for a welcome change after the rock scramble.
Want to Skip the Rock Scramble?
You can reach Old Rag’s summit without doing the Ridge Trail rock scramble.
The National Park Service recommends the Berry Hollow route for hikers who want to avoid it. Beginning at the Berry Hollow parking area, the hike follows Berry Hollow Road and the Saddle Trail to the summit. The round trip is approximately 5.4 miles with 1,760 feet of elevation gain. Parking at Berry Hollow is extremely limited.
No Dogs on Old Rag
This was one of the rare Shenandoah hikes we completed without our dogs.
Pets are prohibited on the Ridge Trail, Saddle Trail and Ridge Access Trail. Our dogs are experienced hikers and pretty scrappy rock climbers, but after hiking Old Rag, I completely understand the restriction.
The scramble includes narrow passages and places where hikers need their hands and full attention to move safely. Add a leashed dog to those tight spaces, along with the many other hikers navigating the same route, and the potential for problems increases quickly.
Old Rag is particularly popular in the fall, and dogs could create additional bottlenecks, distract other hikers or encounter other dogs where there is very little room to safely separate them.
We used the weekend as an opportunity to complete several of Shenandoah’s trails where dogs aren’t permitted, saving plenty of other trails to explore with them.
Trail Map & Overview
Access the AllTrails map at this link: Old Rag Loop
Purchase a Shenandoah National Park entrance pass online or at one of the entrance gates prior to your hike. Recreation.gov
Reserve your Old Rag day-use ticket. From March 1 through November 30, anyone using the Ridge, Saddle or Ridge Access trails needs an Old Rag day-use ticket. Tickets currently cost $2 per person and are required in addition to your Shenandoah National Park entrance pass. Purchase tickets in advance through Recreation.gov.
Know your fitness and comfort level. NPS classifies the circuit as very strenuous. Expect more than nine miles of hiking, over 2,300 feet of climbing and an extended rock scramble requiring the use of your hands and feet.
Carry a small daypack. Bring plenty of water, food and the usual hiking essentials, but keep your pack compact enough to maneuver through narrow spaces in the boulder field.
Wear good hiking shoes. Traction matters on the rock scramble. Wet rock can make the route considerably more difficult, so check the weather before heading out.
Arrive early. I would aim to be at the trailhead before 8 a.m. and earlier during peak fall weekends. A day-use ticket does not reserve a parking space.
Choose a weekday when possible. We hiked on a Thursday in October. The park specifically warns that parking is particularly limited on October weekends, especially Saturdays.
Allow plenty of time. NPS estimates approximately 7½ hours for the circuit, but crowds can slow progress through the scramble, and this is one summit where you’ll probably want some time to enjoy the view.
Skip the scramble if it isn’t for you. The Berry Hollow route reaches the summit without using the Ridge Trail rock scramble. It is still a strenuous mountain hike, but it removes the bouldering component.
Remember the Leave No Trace Principles. Carry out trash and leave natural souvenirs where you found them. Take only memories and photos home with you.
The Old Rag false summit
About Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park stretches along Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, protecting a landscape that is now more than 95 percent forested. Much of that forest is dominated by oak and oak-hickory communities, while maple, birch, tulip poplar and other hardwoods add to the diversity—and to the spectacular color that draws visitors each fall.
The park offers more than 500 miles of hiking trails, including approximately 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Routes range from short woodland walks and waterfall hikes to challenging mountain climbs and multi-day backpacking adventures.
Skyline Drive, the park’s 105-mile scenic roadway, follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting overlooks, trailheads and visitor centers. Along the way, visitors can explore cascading streams, rocky summits, historic sites and miles of hardwood forests.
After exploring Old Rag, make time for Skyline Drive and some of the many other trails throughout the park.
More Adventures in Shenandoah National Park & Beyond
Old Rag is just one of the many unforgettable experiences waiting in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Explore more of our favorite hikes, scenic destinations and places to visit in and around Shenandoah National Park.
