Shenandoah National Park: Skyland to Big Meadows via Appalachian Trail
Save this 13.6-miler for a weekday in the spring when crowds are thin and haze-free views stretch for miles (patches of flowers and wildlife, too).
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-Mapped by Jeff Chow
Trail Facts
- Distance: 11.0
Waypoints
SKY001
Location: 38.5874328613281, -78.3836135864258
From the road into Skyland, hop on the AT and
hike S, linking white blazes. Cross the cliffs of
Pollock Knob (3,560 ft.). Good views between
mountain laurel patches
SKY002
Location: 38.5751647949219, -78.3843688964844
Pass Timber Hollow Overlook on L. Continue on
the W side of the Blue Ridge, passing an overlook
with views to Bettys Rock
SKY003
Location: 38.5625991821289, -78.3838348388672
Keep S under the cliffs of Crescent Rock. More
mountain views
SKY004
Location: 38.5571174621582, -78.3869857788086
Refill bottles @ spring under Hawksbill Gap.
Trail gains 300 ft. as it skirts around Hawksbill
Mountain (4,051 ft.)
SKY005
Location: 38.5546836853027, -78.4030990600586
Stay on AT
SKY006
Location: 38.5535850524902, -78.408332824707
Overnighters: Turn R and go .25 mi. to Rock
Springs Hut. Deer hide in this hollow under the
curiously-named Nakedtop peak
SKY007
Location: 38.5492172241211, -78.4126129150391
AT swings W; more camping @ Rock Springs
Shelter
SKY008
Location: 38.5394515991211, -78.4191970825195
Keep S, passing side trail then crossing Franklin
Cliffs
SKY009
Location: 38.5345001220703, -78.4214859008789
Cross fire road @ Fishers Gap Overlook. From
here, head SW, cross streamlet, and climb to
Davids Spring
SKY010
Location: 38.529182434082, -78.4340667724609
Trail swings N of Big Meadows Campground.
Retrace route to trailhead
