Hiking to Old Rag Summit - the shorter way!

02 Dec Hiking to Old Rag Summit – the shorter way!

Posted at 10:00h in United States, Virginia by Caroline Rose 1 Comment

1 Like

If you’re looking for a hike in Virginia that offers incredible views and provides a challenge to the average person but simultaneously is totally doable, you’ve come to the right place.

We’re talking Old Rag Summit! But the shorter way…

So, traditionally hiking to Old Rag Summit is done by doing the entire Old Rag loop which stretches 10 miles. While a bucket list hike for Virginia locals, this route can be daunting because of its length.

But there’s another way.

Old Rag Summit via Berry Hollows. This route is an in and out trail to the summit spanning about 5.4 miles. It’s half the length of the full loop and can be hiked in about 3 hours without stopping for too long.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trail because of its shorter length, the challenge that came with it (because yes, it is still tough), and the level of natural beauty not only at the top but throughout the trail.

Old Rag Summit via Berry Hollows is a must do trail in Virginia!

Getting there

Old Rag Summit via Berry Hollows is in Syria Virginia. The trailhead begins in Shenandoah National park, but not along Skyline drive like most hikes. Instead it starts from the bottom of the mountain in Berry Hollow Parking Lot.

Trail Details

This trail is rated as strenuous and I would have to agree. It is only about 5.4 miles but has a 1750 ft elevation gain which can leave you winded. If you’re in relatively good shape though, it’s doable, just a slight challenge.

Additionally, this hiking trail has lots of rocks along it, which is beautiful and fun, but dangerous especially if you’re tired and not stepping mindfully. When I was there, I actually passed a girl who had twisted or broken her ankle and was being rescued by the park rangers.

Personally, I didn’t find too much difficulty with watching my step, but I also have experience hiking. So be cautious.

As for the route, this is an in and out trail that starts at Berry Hollow Parking lot and goes up to Old Rag Summit, and then you make your way back the way you came.

For the first 0.8 miles you’ll walk up Berry Hollow Fire Road, a gravel walk.

At the first junction, turn right towards Old Rag shelter and follow the trail up to Old Rag Summit (also called Saddle Trail). After about 2 miles, you will reach the top!

To follow your route, I used AllTrails.

Tips for hiking to old rag

1. Wear hiking boots for extra support.

My friends all wore sneakers which works, but we were definitely scarred after seeing the girl with her broken ankle… soif you have high top hiking boots, wear them for support.

Looking for comfortable, supportive hiking boots?

I have some recommendations for you!

As an all-rounder affordable pair of hiking boots that will last, I recommend the Columbia Newton Ridge that are only $75 and have over 13k reviews on Amazon – I love these boots and they’re pictured here in this post. I also wore them all through-out my USA road trip full of hiking and they still feel like new.

As a second option, I also love my pair of Adidas Terrex GoreTEX. This line is great if you’re looking for light weight boots (great if traveling internationally) that are tasteful and good quality. I wore these throughout all of my South America travels which included a LOT of trekking in Peru.

2. Have plenty of water and a snack

Stay hydrated and pack to eat for energy, you’ll definitely need it.

3. If you’re hiking alone, make sure you’re prepared

Hiking alone is great because it opens up so many opportunities to explore without waiting for someone else. But if you are hiking alone, it’s good practice to be appropriately prepared and take care of yourself. I have a whole blog post about tips for hiking alone, check it out here.