Have you ever hiked the most popular, most challenging, and most rewarding trail in Virginia? If you answered no and you enjoy hiking, then be sure to add Old Rag Mountain to your bucket list! This hike is physically demanding and rated as strenuous, but do not fear! It’s very doable for most average fit people. BUT it’s important to know your limits, do your research, and be prepared!
If you’re a beginner hiker and/or rock scrambler, I’d recommend reading my How to Hike Old Rag in 2024: The Ultimate Guide! This guide explains everything you need to know about the hike, how to be prepared, and how to safely complete this hike. Old Rag is my favorite hike in Virginia, and I know you’ll love it, too!
Table of Contents
How to Hike Old Rag
Old Rag Mountain is located on the eastern part of Shenandoah National Park near Nethers, Virginia. It is a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains which are a subset of the famous Appalachian Mountains. The geological history of Old Rag is amazing! But it’s not my area of expertise, so I will spare you. If you are interested in reading about Old Rag’s geology, check out this article here!
Hiking to the summit of Old Rag is probably the most adventurous hike in Virginia! It is also one of the most dangerous (although many people have strong feelings about this claim). Old Rag has a history of many Search and Rescue missions. But don’t let this scare you! Like I said above, hiking up Old Rag is very much doable for most fitness levels and is family friendly.
Usually, the ones who need rescuing are the ones who are immensely unprepared. This might be a person who is a beginner hiker, has little to no experience rock scrambling, is not wearing proper foot attire, not properly layered (if in the colder months), and does not carry enough water or snacks. If that description sounds like it might be you on that trail, don’t worry, I explain later on how to get yourself properly prepared for this hike! I don’t want you to end up as another Search and Rescue statistic!
Know Before You Go
Shenandoah National Park – Entrance Fee
Entrance into Shenandoah National Park is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. If you have the Annual Park Pass (America the Beautiful Pass) then you get in for free. If you don’t have an Annual Pass and you visit National Parks frequently, we highly recommend making the purchase. It costs $80 but totally worth it!
Best Time to Go
From a weather perspective, the best times to go would be late spring, summer, or early to mid-fall. The ideal weather conditions would be cooler temperatures with no precipitation. This hike is strenuous, so you’ll probably be working hard and might start up a good sweat. It’s important to keep your body’s temperature controlled, especially on hot days. Also, try to avoid hiking Old Rag in rainy or snowy conditions. Wet or icy rocks equals slippery rocks which can be very dangerous!
But from an I-want-to-avoid-crowds perspective, the best times to go would be the offseason (late-fall, winter, or early-spring).
Leave No Trace
Before you go, please make sure you understand the Leave No Trace principles. These seven principles help reduce our environmental impact from outdoor recreational activities. Nature is meant to be enjoyed and respected. 🌱
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
About the Trail
Old Rag Circuit
Location: Old Rag Mountain is located within Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 9.4 miles with an elevation gain of 2,350 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 7 to 8 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This hike is a loop/circuit.
Difficulty Rating: Hard to strenuous depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail has dirt, rocks, and lots of rock scrambling.
Pet-friendly? No, pets are not allowed.
Old Rag Day-use Pass/Ticket
Due to its increasing popularity, Old Rag now requires a day-use pass. It was implemented after a two-year pilot program was completed to improve the hiker’s experience and safety and protect the ecological communities on Old Rag. It’s honestly a good idea to prevent overcrowding, help maintain the ecosystems, and protect the wildlife.
Per the National Park Service, “from March 1 – November 30, visitors to Old Rag Mountain, including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, will need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance, in addition to a Park entrance pass”.
You can purchase a pass online for $2 or call 877-444-6777. Tickets for the 2024 season will be available February 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. A total of 800 tickets will be available each day from March 1 to November 30. Four hundred (400) tickets will be released 30 days in advance and the remaining 400 will be released five days in advance.
Purchasing an Old Rag day-use pass does not guarantee a parking spot! It’s best if you can carpool or get to the trailhead early to beat the crowd. Tickets are valid for the day-of-arrival only!
You can purchase up to 4 tickets – for yourself and 3 other members of your group. Bring a print-out or digital screenshot of the Old Rag day-use pass for each person.
Have more questions? Click here for the Frequently Asked Questions for more information!
DON’T FORGET!! You are required to bring evidence of your ticket purchase for entry to Old Rag Mountain. Print or save a digital copy of your reservation with the confirmation code, which will be scanned to verify the reservation. Cell service is unreliable at the trailhead. AND bring your Park entrance pass plus any form of ID with your name and picture.
Old Rag Day Hike Essentials & Gear
We have listed below all the items and gear that we brought with us on our most recent hike to Old Rag Mountain. For most people, hiking the Old Rag Circuit will be a full day adventure. You want to make sure you have all the hiking essentials, especially the safety gear!
This is not an exhaustive list! It’s just what we personally carried with us on our hike to Old Rag.
Small Backpack
Use a small backpack and pack light (bring the essentials). The reason being is there are some tight spots throughout the rock scrambling portion of Old Rag and it will be more difficult to navigate if you are carrying a big, over-packed backpack (unless you are thru-hiking or backpacking of course).
Hiking Shoes or Boots
I have personally hiked this trail in regular tennis shoes before. Not the best idea but I’ve seen worse. Try to avoid hiking in flip flops or any shoes that are open-toe, unstable, and have no traction. There are plenty of brands out there that provide excellent hiking shoes or boots. Do your research to find what will work best for you!
WINTER TIP!! During the winter season, be sure to bring microspikes or traction coil devices for your boots. Even when it’s perfectly clear in lower elevations, trails can be icy and snowy in higher elevations. Please be careful and use good judgement!
Hiking/Trekking Poles (optional)
Hiking/trekking poles could be beneficial on the Ridge Trail and Saddle Trail sections since they are steep and rocky. But they will more than likely get in your way on the rock scrambling section. Most people (if they are using them) will place them inside or on the outside of their backpack.
Extra Layers of Clothing
It’s a good idea to bring extra layers of clothing. This would include rain gear and insulated clothing (the latter is more so important in the colder months).
Safety Gear
If I were you, I wouldn’t go hiking without any of these safety items listed below. Even if it’s just a day hike, you never know what could happen. Always be prepared!
- Paper and offline digital maps & compass
- Satellite messenger/personal locator beacon (we actually do not own one of these YET but we plan to invest in one very soon!! They’re quite expensive but very important to have with you on hikes that go further out into the backcountry, if you’re hiking solo, and/or if you’re backpacking/thru-hiking.)
- First aid-kit
- Flashlights/headlamps (with extra batteries)
- Knife or multi-tool
- Emergency blanket
- Bear spray
- Whistle
Sun Protection
Don’t skip out on this! You definitely want to wear your sunscreen and apply SPF lip balm every time you go outside in the sun. If you’re feeling a little bit crazy (about protecting yourself from the sun), you may also want to wear a sun hat and wear UPF sun-protective clothing.
Water & Food
There are not any reliable water sources on Old Rag Mountain. On a cool fall or winter day, bring about 2-3 liters of water per person. If it’s a hot summer day, bring about 3-5 liters of water per person. It definitely depends on someone’s fitness levels and experience with hiking. Carrying 5 liters of water will be heavy, so consider that as well. Hydration is important!
SAFETY TIP!! If you’re a beginner hiker and have never done Old Rag before, I would recommend going when temperatures are cooler. Dehydration can happen and is a very serious issue. Try to avoid hiking on the hottest day in the summer if possible. If you do hike this trail in the summer, bring plenty of water and salty snacks!
Good Upper Body and Lower Body Strength!
Hit up the gym or do some home workouts a few months (at least) prior to hiking Old Rag. Again, this is a tough hike and will be challenging for most average fit people. The beginning of the hike (on Ridge Trail) is crazy steep then you have a good amount of rock scrambling followed by about 5 more miles of hiking after reaching the summit. You will need good upper and lower body strength along with good endurance to safely get through this hike.
How to Get to the Trailhead
Old Rag Mountain is located near Nethers, Virginia. The trailhead for this route (Old Rag Circuit) begins at the Park Boundary (right outside the National Park) in Nethers, Virginia and the summit is located in Shenandoah National Park.
There are three parking lots. You will see the overflow parking area first then the other two parking areas further down the road. If you have a car, you can park in either of the three parking lots. The upper parking lot (where the Ranger Station is located) has spots for RVs and horse trailers.
QUICK TIP!! Parking is free at the Old Rag trailhead! However, an Old Rag day-use pass does not guarantee a parking spot. Because parking is limited, the NPS strongly recommends carpooling with other hikers.
The trailhead is located to the left of the Ranger Station at the last parking area.
Put this address in google maps: Old Rag Parking (Ranger Station), 2577 Nethers Rd, Etlan, VA 22719
Alternate Routes
There are a few alternate hiking routes in the same area as the Old Rag trailhead. The first one leads to Old Rag Summit from the Berry Hollow Parking Area. The second and third options do not lead to the summit but are great options if 1) you have already done Old Rag Mountain and looking for something different, 2) you have pets, and/or 3) you do not have an Old Rag day-use pass.
1. Old Rag Summit via Berry Hollow: summit hike to Old Rag; 5.4 miles round trip; 1,760 feet elevation gain; 5.5-6.5 hours to complete; moderate difficulty; no pets allowed.
2. Robertson Mountain Trail: begins at Old Rag parking area; 7.8 miles round trip; 2,353 feet elevation gain; 7-9 hours to complete; strenuous difficulty; pets allowed. NOT a summit hike to Old Rag.
3. Nicholson Hollow Trail: beings at Old Rag parking area; 8 miles round trip; 1,240 feet elevation gain; 6-8 hours to complete; moderate difficulty; pets allowed. NOT a summit hike to Old Rag.
Trail Directions
Old Rag Circuit: steep ascent ➡️ rock scrambles ➡️ the summit ➡️ easy descent via fire road
The route we decided to take is the most popular which is about a 9.4-mile circuit/loop (see map below for a visual). We went clockwise and would recommend this way as well. You will hit the challenging rock scramble section first then be rewarded with the summit shortly after. Most people go this way, too.
SAFETY TIP!! Going up to the summit then back the same way to do the rock scrambling part again might sound appealing and fun, but on heavy traffic days (which is most days in the summer and most weekends year-round), I’d recommend just finishing up the loop. Going back down while people are coming up will cause even more congestion which will result in long wait times (especially in narrow spots) and may increase someone’s risk of injuring themselves or others.
From the trailhead you will start hiking on the Ridge Trail. It starts off STEEP for a few miles. Plenty of switchbacks here as you gain most of the elevation in this section.
Then you will hit the rock scramble. Take your time on this section, be careful, and have fun! The rock scramble was our favorite part!
Be on the lookout for trail markers in order to stay on the right path. The entire trail is well-marked and well-maintained, so you should not have any trouble figuring out which way to go!
Along the way, you will see a few gorgeous “false summits”. Keep going and eventually you will see a sign that will point you towards the official Old Rag summit.
Just a few more steps… keep going… almost there… aaaand… you’ve made it to the summit of Old Rag!! Find a spot to relax, catch your breath, eat some snacks, and enjoy the views at the summit.
Once you’re ready to leave the summit, head back to the Old Rag Mountain Summit sign you passed earlier and take a right to get onto the Saddle Trail. You will pass two shelters. One of them being the “Old Rag Shelter” which is for day use only.
A little bit past the Old Rag Shelter, there will be a fork in the trail. Go to the right onto Weakley Hollow Fire Road. I’m sure you might be tired and ready to be off this trail but be thankful this last section is a nice and an easy walk downhill.
You will continue to descend down the mountain and will cross a few bridges. I personally love this section of the hike. It’s peaceful and a breath of fresh air as compared to the steep incline and rock scrambling parts earlier.
You will eventually reach an intersection where you can either continue on the Ridge Trail or on a paved road back to the parking lot. We took the “shortcut” and walked on the road (taking the road is shorter than getting back on the Ridge Trail). You are allowed to walk on the road but just be aware that people live in the area, so be respectful and don’t walk on their personal property.
Official trail directions from NPS: From the Old Rag parking area, take the blue-blazed Ridge Trail. Continue along the Ridge Trail, across the rock scramble and descend on the Saddle Trail (blue-blazed), which becomes a fire road after you pass Old Rag Shelter. At the T-intersection, go right and immediately right again at the fork onto Weakley Hollow Fire Road (yellow-blazed). Turn right onto the Ridge Access Trail and then left onto the Ridge Trail to return to your starting point.
Safety Tips
SAFETY TIP!! Along the trail you will notice numbers on the trail blazes. We saw these during our hike in 2022 and had no idea what they were for. But now we know! These are reference numbers for Search and Rescue personnel. Be aware of these numbers and try to remember which number you are closest to if you need to report an incident. This helps rescuers respond to your location more quickly.
Don’t be that person who needs to be rescued!! Accidents do happen, but there are ways to minimize this risk:
- Check the weather forecast! It can be very dangerous to hike this trail when rocks are slippery from rain or snow/ice.
- Bring PLENTY of water!
- Hike in a pair or group!
- If hiking solo, make sure family and/or friends know your plans!
- Stay on the designated trail!
- Wear comfortable, grippy hiking shoes/boots with good ankle support!
- Be in good physical health – this trail is strenuous and requires both good upper & lower body strength!
How to Avoid the Crowds
As you probably know by now, Old Rag Mountain is a very popular hike. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s unique, and it’s challenging! There’s no other hike like this in all of Virginia. Because of this, lots of people from all around the world come to tackle Old Rag. Even with the new day-use pass system, peak season during the weekend will still be very crowded!
If you’re like me and my husband, you want to avoid crowded places at all cost! Here’s a few tips to (hopefully) help avoid all the people:
Get there early! You can start hiking Old Rag at any time you please. Most people probably start coming into the parking lots around 8-10 AM. You don’t have to necessarily get there when the rooster starts making all that noise but the earlier the better.
Go on a weekday! The most popular days people hike Old Rag is on the weekends of course. Most people don’t have work and the kids don’t have school. Therefore, the weekdays are the best days to go to avoid crowds. I understand that everyone cannot do this, and the weekends are the only free time you have off from work. But if you’re able to use some paid-time off (PTO) from work just for one day to hike Old Rag without the crowds, I’d recommend it!
Go in the offseason! This is the time of year when fewer people are traveling. Usually around late fall through the winter to early spring when the weather is not very ideal for outdoor activities. But BE CAREFUL! Old Rag can be extremely dangerous if there is any snow or ice at the rock scrambling section or on the summit.
We hiked this trail on January 4th, 2024 and wrote a blog post about our personal experience. There was hardly anyone else on the trail! There was a little bit of ice along the rock scrambling section, but we could easily navigate around it. It was really cold and windy that day, but overall good conditions! Interested in reading Our Adventure Journal post about hiking Old Rag Mountain??
Get a late start! If you are the type of person who enjoys watching sunset, then maybe you can start hiking later than everybody else. We’ve never hiked Old Rag later in the day for sunset so we’re not entirely sure, but I would assume most people would be hiking down by the time you start hiking up.
READ THIS: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
We Vlogged Our Experience!
Enjoyed this post? Pin for later!
More Great Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
There are a bunch of awesome hikes to do in Shenandoah National Park! Below is a list of some of our personal favorites.
Mary’s Rock – This spot has magnificent views, a well-maintained trail, and the summit is a perfect place to relax after the hiking all those miles!
Hawksbill Summit– This is one of the best spots to watch sunset in Virginia! The views are amazing… oh and it’s the tallest peak in Shenandoah National Park!
Bearfence Mountain – This is one of our favorite hikes in Shenandoah National Park! This short hike involves a challenging rock scramble to 360-degree views and continues on to another viewpoint with 180-degree views.
Stony Man – This is a short, easy hike to some of the most beautiful views in Shenandoah National Park. It’s a great hike for beginners and is family-friendly!
