Article Topics: Easy Fall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, Short Trails in Shenandoah National Park
Fall is the peak season in Shenandoah National Park and it’s not difficult to see why. Come October, the park’s dense forests transform into a veritable autumn wonderland, boasting all hues of red, yellow and orange.
You can explore and experience the famous fall foliage of Shenandoah on a number of trails. In fact, basically all of the park’s trails are amazing in fall.
This of course means that, if you’re looking for short fall hikes in Shenandoah National Park, you’ll have several trails to choose from.
Below, you’ll find some of the best short fall hikes in Shenandoah National Park. These are all trails that are under two miles long, don’t take more than an hour, yet boast some truly stunning fall scenery.
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5 Short and Scenic Fall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
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1. Stony Man Trail
If you’re looking for fall hikes in Shenandoah National Park that are also great for sunsets, the Stony Man Trail is your best option.
Even though it can get crowded on weekend nights, which is mainly because of its proximity to Skyland, I absolutely love this trail.
Named after a jumble of rocks that, when seen from a distance, somewhat resemble the face of a man, Stony Man provides some of the greatest views in Shenandoah National Park.
At 4,011 feet high, this is the second-highest mountain in the park, after Hawksbill Summit, and the views definitely live up to that.
The panoramic view from Stony Man spans more than 180 degrees and includes the Blue Ridge Mountains on both sides and the huge Shenandoah Valley right beneath you.
At sunset, and especially in the fall, it’s nothing short of sensational up there. This is arguably the best spot to watch the sunset in Shenandoah National Park.
The trail itself is virtually flat and super-easy—truly a must-do fall hike in Shenandoah National Park.
- Distance: 1.6 miles (out and back)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Stony Man Parking Lot at Skyland, Skyline Drive Mile 41.7
2. Dark Hollow Falls Trail
One of the most popular fall hikes in Shenandoah National Park, and the park’s busiest waterfall hike, Dark Hollow Falls is just north of Big Meadows.
Considering that the hike is only 1.4 miles roundtrip, it offers huge rewards for relatively little effort.
That said, be aware that this trail is short but also quite steep.
It runs down into, and back out of, a wooded hollow, one of Shenandoah’s main characteristics, and I therefore recommend that you wear sturdy shoes and bring a full water bottle.
While steep, this is also the shortest of all waterfall hikes in Shenandoah National Park. So, if your time in the park is limited, I’d suggest opting for this one.
It’s popular for a reason and one of my personal favorite Shenandoah National Park fall hikes.
- Distance: 1.4 miles (out and back)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep)
- Trailhead: Dark Hollow Falls Parking Lot, Skyline Drive Mile 50.7
3. Big Meadows Trails
One of the star attractions in Shenandoah National Park, Big Meadows is in the park’s very heart, more or less halfway on Skyline Drive.
This is where you’ll find the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center, Big Meadows Lodge, a wayside, a campground, bathrooms and the park’s only gas station.
Across Skyline Drive from all these facilities lies Big Meadows itself. A historic farming area, this large grassy expanse is one of the best Shenandoah wildlife viewing spots.
At dawn, deer prance all over the place, while black bears can occasionally be seen foraging on the edge of the forest.
There are no designated trails here, but you’re free to explore as you please. Do try, however, to stick to the already well-trodden pathways through the grass to avoid damaging any plants or compressing any soil.
In fall, the scenery at Big Meadows is gorgeous, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Whether you spend fifteen minutes in the area or dedicate an entire afternoon to your Big Meadows exploration, it’ll be absolutely stunning.
- Distance: Various
- Duration: Various
- Difficulty: Easy (flat trails, distance is up to you)
- Trailhead: Big Meadows Visitor Complex, Skyline Drive Mile 51
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4. Bearfence Mountain Trail
Bearfence Mountain is one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Shenandoah National Park any time of year, but it’s particularly spectacular in fall.
The beauty of this short fall hike in Shenandoah is the rugged, rock-strewn summit, offering spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley in the distance.
The hike itself is quite short, but does involve a serious rock scramble toward the top.
Don’t wear a big backpack on this hike and make sure you are in decent physical shape. You’ll have to pull yourself up with your arms at one point.
I recommend hiking the Bearfence Mountain Trail in a clockwise direction. This way, the steepest rock scramble is on the way up, making the descent that much easier.
- Distance: 1.2 miles (loop)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep)
- Trailhead: Bearfence Mountain Parking Lot, Skyline Drive Mile 56.4
Learn What to Do When Encountering a Black Bear Here
5. Frazier Discovery Trail
One of the most fun short fall hikes in Shenandoah National Park, the Frazier Discovery Trail loops its way past a scenic rocky outcrop.
Easily accessible from the Loft Mountain Campground and Loft Mountain Wayside, the trail is short and involves a moderate climb, making it doable for most visitors.
This enjoyable hike takes you through fairly new woodland—farmland reclaimed after the Shenandoah National Park was created—and gives you an insight into what a pioneer forest looks like.
On the way, you’ll pass young plants and trees, species that show up first when an area in the Blue Ridge is allowed to go its natural course.
You’ll see pioneer species such as blackberry, coralberry, hawthorn, Virginia creeper and black locust.
The main highlight of this trail, however, is the sensational view from the rocky outcrop.
This 180-degree panorama encompasses Skyline Drive, clearly visible as a ribbon of asphalt through the fall-colored forest near the mountains’ crest, and the endlessly rolling mountains themselves.
In fall, the entire landscape is bathed in reds, oranges, yellows and brown—an objectively stunning view.
- Distance: 1.2 miles (loop)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Loft Mountain Wayside, Skyline Drive Mile 79.5
Kit
Monday 24th of October 2022
Little Stony Man is a great alternative to Stony Man. As of last June it was still pet friendly and the views are fantastic.
Bram
Wednesday 9th of November 2022
Yes, you're totally right, Kit. Great suggestion!