Shenandoah National Park: Beahms Gap to Thornton Gap
Mature oaks, overgrown homesites, a mountain hut, and a scenic viewpoint highlight this 3.6-mile dayhike on the Appalachian Trail.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 5.5
Waypoints
BGO001
Location: 38.6940994262695, -78.3197326660156
Pickup white-blazed Appalachian Trail on E-side of Skyline Drive. Trail ascends N before swinging S again
BGO002
Location: 38.687198638916, -78.3167190551758
Trail cuts short switchbacks up Pass Mtn. (3,052 ft.). The oak forest is relatively flat and sparse around here, evidence of old farmlands that once dotted this ridgeline before the park was formed in 1935. Okay views into Kemp Hollow
BGO003
Location: 38.6756210327148, -78.3226928710938
Turn R for Pass Mtn. Hut (reserved for thru-hikers only)
BGO004
Location: 38.6766510009766, -78.3188323974609
Pass Mtn. Hut (2,690 ft.): Sleeps 8, reliable spring, and well-maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Backtrack .2 mi. to WPT 3, and hike S
BGO005
Location: 38.6704406738281, -78.3231735229492
Descend SE; you’ll drop more than 300 ft. in the next mile
BGO006
Location: 38.6659507751465, -78.3197631835938
AT merges with gravel road
BGO007
Location: 38.6654510498047, -78.3197631835938
Trail veers R
BGO008
Location: 38.6626014709473, -78.3226470947266
Cross Skyline Dr.
BGO009
Location: 38.6611709594727, -78.3234634399414
Cross US 211 (lots of speedy cars)
BGO010
Location: 38.6593704223633, -78.3224029541016
Turn L on short trail to the parking lot of Panorama (a historic restaurant; now vacant). Or, retrace steps to Beahms Gap
