A day on Old Rag is one of Shenandoah National Park’s premier experiences. Recently named one of the 25 best hikes in the world by Outsideonline.com, Old Rag is Shenandoah’s most popular and most dangerous hike. The number of blogs and websites about this hike attests to its popularity, and the number of search and rescue missions each year attests to its danger. There’s no doubt that the views are spectacular and the scramble to get there is great fun.
Old Rag is a challenging hike with many switchbacks. So, while you won’t be going straight up, the trails are still at a steep grade. When you make it about 3/4 of the way up, you will then have some rock clambering that makes your pace a little slower. When hiking Old Rag Mountain, each time you think you’ve reached the summit – you haven’t! This mountain has several false summits. You’ll know that you’ve reached the Old Rag Summit when you see the Old Rag Mountain brown elevation sign. Find a lovely rock with a fabulous 360-degree view for your lunch spot here, before starting your descent on the back of the mountain by way of the Saddle Trail.
For more information on preparing to hike Old Rag, please visit https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/old-rag-hike-prep.htm
To see all 25 best hikes in the world, visit https://www.outsideonline.com/2392049/best-hikes-in-the-world
