Shenandoah National Park: Hazel Mountain
This 9.6-mile hike into a narrow wooded valley passes through old settler farmlands, impressive waterfalls, and mountain overlooks to a quiet creekside lunch spot.
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: 7.8
Waypoints
HFT001
Location: 38.6384162902832, -78.3136520385742
Meadow Springs trailhead: Trail starts @ S corner of parking lot and enters a mixed forest of rhododendron and hardwoods
HFT002
Location: 38.6362152099609, -78.3114318847656
Keep straight on main trail @ next two intersections
HFT003
Location: 38.630500793457, -78.2959976196289
Veer L onto White Rocks Trail
HFT004
Location: 38.6342010498047, -78.2951354980469
Near huge boulder, listen for babbling creek on R; up ahead watch for an old rock fence on L, evidence that several mountain families once homesteaded here
HFT005
Location: 38.6358985900879, -78.28759765625
Turn R; steep descent to Hazel River
HFT006
Location: 38.6354484558106, -78.287467956543
Cascades nosedive down several drops; continue downstream a few hundred yards to a small rock overhang, then return to main trail
HFT007
Location: 38.6375350952148, -78.2819137573242
Keep E, then climb a handful of white rocky knobs with occasional overlooks to lush green mountaintops
HFT008
Location: 38.631534576416, -78.2725524902344
Drop into wooded valley again; cross Hazel River
HFT009
Location: 38.6297836303711, -78.2731018066406
Turn L @ Y, skirting the steep sides of Hazel Mountain
HFT010
Location: 38.6184005737305, -78.2660522460938
Numerous cool creek pools promise superb lunch spots and catch-and-release fishing holes; return to car