Hiking near Charlottesville, VA features incredible Blue Ridge Mountain views, beautiful waterfalls, and plenty of rocky overlooks. Charlottesville makes the perfect home base for many incredible hikes in the nearby Shenandoah National Park or George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. However, finding great hiking near Charlottesville, VA can be a challenge. Even trails located in Shenandoah National Park can be over 3 hours away! In this article, we’ll share our favorite hikes near Charlottesville, with difficulty levels ranging from kid-friendly to challenging full day treks!
Hiking near Charlottesville, VA
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best hiking near Charlottesville, VA, all located within an hour and a half drive. These hikes are ordered by difficulty, starting with easiest and ending with the most challenging.
- Upper Shamokin Falls | easy, 1 hour from Charlottesville
- Albright Loop | easy, 35 minutes from Charlottesville
- Black Rock Summit | easy, 1 hour 15 minutes from Charlottesville
- Dripping Rock South | easy, 58 minutes from Charlottesville
- Little Stony Man Loop | easy – moderate, 1 hour 25 minutes from Charlottesville
- Humpback Rocks | moderate, 35 minutes from Charlottesville
- Calvary & Chimney Rocks | moderate 1 hour 30 minutes from Charlottesville
- Crabtree Falls: moderate, 1 hour 5 minutes from Charlottesville
- Hanging Rock | moderate, 45 minutes from Charlottesville
- Mary’s Rock | moderate, 1 hour 30 minutes from Charlottesville
- Riprap Trail | hard, 1 hour 25 minutes from Charlottesville
- Old Rag | hard, 1 hour 30 minutes from Charlottesville
- Three Ridges | hard, 45 minutes from Charlottesville
Map of the best hiking near Charlottesville
To help you plan your hiking trip, the map below displays the locations of each of the best spots to go hiking near Charlottesville, VA.
- To view more details about each location, click on the marker on the map.
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1. Upper Shamokin Falls
Hike Stats
- Distance | 0.8 miles
- Elevation gain | 270 feet
- Time | 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Epic-ness rating | 4
- Difficulty | easy
Find this hike on AllTrails: Upper Shamokin Falls & Morgan’s Loop
For a short hike with a lot of bang for your buck, try the Upper Shamokin Falls and Morgan’s Loop, located in Wintergreen Resort about an hour’s drive from Charlottesville.
The trail follows along the edge of Shamokin Falls as it cascades over the rocky terrain, before crossing the stream at its base and returning up the other side.
Although it’s a short hike, the trail is rocky and steep in sections, so be prepared with appropriate footwear. AllTrails lists the hike as moderate due to the elevation gain over a short distance. That being said, this hike is certainly doable for families and children.
Parking at the trailhead is limited. The trailhead is located in a neighborhood, and you’ll need to parallel park on the side of the road.
It’s also possible to access Upper Shamokin Falls via a longer 3-mile route via the Shamokin Nature Trail.
2. Albright Loop
Hike Stats
- Distance | 3.5 miles
- Elevation gain | 650 feet
- Time | 2 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 5
- Difficulty | easy
Find this hike on AllTrails: Albright Loop Via Appalachian Trail
Another short, easy hiking trail near Charlottesville, the Albright Loop offers classic Blue Ridge views with less effort than hiking up to Humpback rocks. In fact, the trail departs from the same parking lot as Humpback, and loops around Dobie mountain.
Don’t miss the quarter-mile detour out to the Glass Hollow Viewpoint, for the best view of the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Albright Loop trailhead is located about 35 minutes from Charlottesville, making it a convenient option.
3. Black Rock Summit via Brown’s Gap
Hike Stats
- Distance | 5.4 miles
- Elevation gain | 650 feet
- Time | 2 – 3 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 6
- Difficulty | easy
Find this hike on AllTrails: Black Rock Summit via Brown’s Gap
Black Rock is a unique hike featuring, you guessed it… a huge pile of black rocks! When you reach the summit, you can climb up on the rocks for a panoramic view of the mountains. Note that there is no real defined path for climbing up the rocks – choose your own adventure.
There is also an option to take a 1.1 mile roundtrip hike to Black Rock Summit from Trayfoot Mountain. We recommend getting a little more out of your hike and starting at Brown’s Gap, making the roundtrip hike 5.4 miles.
The hike is fairly easy, through quiet woods with a very slight incline until the last half a mile to the summit, where the elevation gain picks up a bit.
The trailhead is located in the Shenandoah National Park, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the center of Charlottesville.
Tip: the hot pile of rocks makes a perfect home for snakes. We even heard a rattlesnake when we were here. Just be sure to watch where you are stepping and keep your ears alert for a rattling sound.
4. Dripping Rock South
Hike Stats
- Distance | 3 miles
- Elevation gain | 250 feet
- Time | 1 – 2 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 6
- Difficulty | easy
Find this hike on AllTrails: Dripping Rock South via Appalachian Trail
Dripping Rock South is an easy and underrated trail located off the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 1 hour from Charlottesville and just a few minutes from the Humpback Rocks Trailhead. If you’re looking for an easier and less crowded alternative to Humpback, Dripping Rock is a great option!
The first viewpoint comes about half a mile into the hike when you reach a large rock outcropping with Blue Ridge Mountain views stretches in both directions. Continue for another 1 mile until you come upon a sign that reads “overlook”, where you will find the second viewpoint of the hike.
Parking at the trailhead is very limited, so you may have trouble finding a spot, especially on weekends during the summer. Arrive early to beat the crowds, or visit on a weekday if possible.
Tip | If you’re following the AllTrails Route, you’ll want to continue about a quarter-mile past where the trail appears to end. There is a second viewpoint, but it’s located about 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Look for the wooden “overlook” sign!
5. Little Stony Man Loop
Hike Stats
- Distance | 3.4 miles
- Elevation gain | 866 feet
- Time | 2 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 4
- Difficulty | easy
Find this hike on AllTrails: Little Stony Man vis Appalachian Trail
Little Stony Man loop is an easy to moderate 3.4 mile hike in the Shenandoah National Park, featuring beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The trailhead is located about 1 hour 30 minutes from the center of Charlottesville, and you will have to pay a $35 national park entrance fee. If you are looking for a quick hike with solid views, this is a great option.
6. Humpback Rocks
Hike Stats
- Distance | 1.7 miles
- Elevation gain | 780 feet
- Time | 1 – 2 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 6
- Difficulty | moderate
Find this hike on AllTrails: Humpback Rocks Recreation Area
Certainly one of the most popular hikes near Charlottesville, Humpback is the quickest way to find mountaintop Blue Ridge views.
The trailhead is located just 35 minutes outside of Charlottesville. That said, don’t expect to have the peak to yourself – Humpback tends to get very crowded, especially due to its proximity to the University of Virginia.
Although the 1.7 mile roundtrip trail is short, it is fairly steep, so be prepared to work a little. At the top of the trail is a pile of large rocks you can climb up on for unbeatable views of the surrounding mountains. Pack a lunch and plan to stay a while at the top.
Tip: Since the hike to Humpback is relatively short, it makes for the perfect sunrise hike. On a clear morning, wake up in the dark, grab a bagel from Bodos and head for the trailhead.
7. Chimney & Calvary Rocks
Hike Stats
- Distance | 3.2 miles
- Elevation gain | 830 feet
- Time | 2 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 5
- Difficulty | moderate
Find this hike on AllTrails: Chimney & Calvary Rocks Trail
The Chimney & Calvary Rocks Trail in Shenandoah National Park features two awesome viewpoints in just over 3-miles. Although the trail is short, it’s a fairly steep and consistent climb to reach the viewpoints, so be prepared to break a sweat!
Due to its location on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the trailhead for Chimney & Calvary Rocks is about a 1.5-hour drive from Charlottesville. Pair the hike with Blackrock Summit or extend your hike along the Riprap Trail to make it worth the drive.
8. Crabtree Falls
Hike Stats
- Distance | 2.8 miles
- Elevation gain | 1070 feet
- Time | 2 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 4
- Difficulty | moderate
Find this hike on AllTrails: Crabtree Falls Trail
Crabtree Falls is one of the best spots to go hiking near Charlottesville if like waterfalls! While there is no incredible mountain viewpoint, the trail winds up the side of a massive waterfall leading to the source of the falls. It’s beautiful the entire way up.
While the hike is short, it is pretty steep, making it a moderately difficult hike.
The Crabtree Falls trailhead is conveniently located just over 1 hour form Charlottesville in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
9. Mary’s Rock
Hike Stats
- Distance | 6.6 miles
- Elevation gain | 1390 feet
- Time | 3 – 4 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 6
- Difficulty | moderate
Find this hike on AllTrails: Mary’s Rock via Pinnacle Picnic Gardens
There are a few different ways to get to Mary’s Rock. The 6.6-mile trail from Pinnacle Picnic Gardens described above, a 3.4-mile hike (the North Approach via Appalachian Trail), a 3.1-mile hike (the Southern Approach via Appalachian Trail), and an 8.8-mile hike via Buck Ridge Trail.
These trails converge in the end, so which path you take depends on how challenging of a hike you are looking for. We hiked to Mary’s Rock from Pinnacle Picnic Gardens and had a great time, although much of the trail is through the woods with no views.
The Mary’s Rock trailhead from Pinnacle Picnic Gardens is located 1 hour 30 minutes from Charlottesville. It’s also only 25 minutes from Luray Caverns, making for a solid day trip option.
10. Hanging Rock
Hike Stats
- Distance | 7.3 miles
- Elevation gain | 1800 feet
- Time | 3 – 4 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 6
- Difficulty | moderate
Find this hike on AllTrails: Hanging Rock
Located in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, I truly believe Hanging Rock is one of the most underrated hikes near Charlottesville.
After years of living in Charlottesville, I had never heard of it but decided to give it a shot. I was shocked by the beautiful wild flowers on the way up and the awesome views from the overlook at the top!
Hanging Rock is also part of a longer 13-miles hike, Three Ridges Trail.
This hike is conveniently located 45 minutes from Charlottesville and only a few minutes from Nelson 151 hotspots like Bold Rock and Blue Mountain Brewery.
It’s the perfect hike to get a little sweat out before enjoying a few beers at the local breweries or sipping wine at the nearby vineyards. Just hard enough to feel like you got a workout in, but not so hard that you are exhausted afterwards.
Side Note: If you are interested in following up your hike with a few glasses of wine, be sure to check out our favorite wineries in Charlottesville.
11. Riprap Trail
Hike Stats
- Distance | 9.1 miles
- Elevation gain | 2040 feet
- Time | 4 – 5 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 6
- Difficulty | hard
Find this hike on AllTrails: Riprap Trail
A great option if you are looking for a longer, more challenging hike, Riprap Trail has it all: mountain views, waterfalls, quiet forests, and a swimming hole! The Riprap trailhead is located in the Shenandoah National Park, about 1 hour 25 minutes from Charlottesville.
We recommend doing the hike counterclockwise, so start by taking the trail to the left. This allows you to hike past the waterfall and swimming hole first and reach the summit towards the end of the hike.
Note that the Riprap Trail is a longer loop that includes Calvary and Chimney Rocks. We’d say that the best views are located at Calvary and Chimney Rocks, but there are additional small viewpoints at several points along the Riprap Trail.
The entire loop is worth doing if you’re looking for more of a challenge, or want to take a dip to cool off in the swimming hole!
12. Old Rag
Hike Stats
- Distance | 9.4 miles
- Elevation gain | 2680 feet
- Time | 5 – 6 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 7
- Difficulty | hard
Find this hike on AllTrails: Old Rag Mountain Loop
If you are looking for a challenging hike with beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains views and little adventure, Old Rag is the hike for you. Old Rag is a 9.4 mile hike with sections that require minor rock scrambling. But don’t worry, it’s nothing too scary and tons of fun!
The trailhead is located just about 1 hour from Charlottesville. Note that while Old Rag is technically located in the Shenandoah National Park, the trailhead and parking lot are outside the park.
You will have to pay a small fee to park, but not the $35 national park entrance fee. Be warned that the parking lot fills up, so get an early start.
The Old Rag hike is best done from May through September. Avoid hiking if it has rained or snowed recently, as the part of the hike that requires rock scrambling can get very slippery.
If you’re looking for the best hiking near Charlottesville, Old Rag deserves a spot at the top of your bucket list.
Note | Permits are now required to hike Old Rag due to its increase in popularity. Read more about how to get permits for the hike on the Shenandoah NPS website.
13. Three Ridges
Hike Stats
- Distance | 13.5 miles
- Elevation gain | 3900 feet
- Time | 7 – 10 hours
- Epic-ness rating | 7
- Difficulty | hard
Find this hike on AllTrails: Three Ridges Trail
An extension to the Hanging Rock hike mentioned earlier, the Three Ridges Trail is the best hike near Charlottesville for those looking for a challenge!
Covering over 13 miles and nearly 4000 feet of elevation gain, the Three Ridges is certainly one of the more difficult hiking routes you’ll find near Charlottesville. A few sections of rock scrambling add an additional level of difficulty (and fun!).
There are three main overlooks along the trail: Hanging Rock Rock, Chimney Rock Overlook (entirely different from the Calvary & Chimney Rocks trail), and Flat Rock Overlook.
The trailhead for Three Ridges is located just minutes from several of the best Charlottesville wineries, so plan to get an early start and leave time for a nice glass of wine as a reward for your hard work!
Logistics | Hiking near Charlottesville, VA
In the sections below we’ll cover the details you need to know about planning your hike in Charlottesville.
Come stay with us!
Looking for a great place to stay near some of the best hikes in Charlottesville?! You’ve come to the right place.
After several years on the road, we decided we needed a home base so we purchased a house in Afton, Virginia. We poured our hearts into transforming it into a cute little farmhouse, perfect for hosting weekends in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It’s located right off Nelson 151, a.k.a. the “Brew Ridge Trail” in the heart of Virginia wine country, 20 minutes from the southern entrance to Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
While we’re traveling, we rent our house out so guests can experience everything we love about the Blue Ridge Bungalow. Check it out on Airbnb!
Parks near Charlottesville
Shenandoah National Park
Most of the best hiking near Charlottesville, VA (Old Rag, Mary’s Rock, Riprap, Black Rock, Little Stony Man) is located inside the Shenandoah National Park. Stretching over 300 square miles in northern Virginia from Waynesboro to Front Royal, the park is easily accessible from Washington D.C., Richmond and Roanoke.
Shenandoah has a limited number of access points, which is part of what makes many of the trailheads a farther drive than they seem.
For most of the hikes in Shenandoah National Park on this list (with the exception of Old Rag), you will need to enter the park at the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station. For Mary’s Rock, you will enter the park through Thornton Gap Entrance Station.
- Learn more about the Shenandoah National Park here.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Located to the west of the Shenandoah National Park, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests cover over 1.5 million acres of Appalachian Mountains across Virginia and include several of the best hikes near Charlottesville.
Crabtree Falls, Hanging Rock, and Humpback Rocks are located in these national forests. There are no entrance fees for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
Getting to the parks
There are no shuttle services in Shenandoah National Park or the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, so you will have to drive yourself or rent a car to get around.
Best time for hiking near Charlottesville
Given the moderate climate, the best time to go hiking near Charlottesville, VA is typically from March through November.
October and November are the best time to visit (in our opinion!), when the weather is cool and leaves are starting to turn bright orange and red tones, making for truly incredible hiking.
In the summer months of June through August, you’ll want to start hiking early in the morning, as temperatures often reach the mid-90’s.
Other Things to Do near Charlottesville
While we love to go hiking near Charlottesville, VA, there is so much more to do here. A few great options include:
- Wineries | You can’t beat a glass of Viognier with a Blue Ridge Mountain view. Check out a few of our favorite wineries here.
- Breweries | Nelson 151 is home to Devil’s Backbone, Blue Mountain Brewery, Bold Rock and others all within a few minutes from each other. Its the perfect way to top off a tough day of hiking!
- The Downtown Mall | Offering a great selection of restaurants and shops in the heart of Charlottesville.
- Grab a bagel at Bodo’s | The perfect way to fuel up for a hike.
- Explore the University of Virginia | The lawn and the Rotunda are nothing short of picturesque, making for a great picnic spot.
We’ve spent a lot of time hiking near Charlottesville, VA and it is one of our favorite places to hike. Have questions about any of these hikes or other things to do in Charlottesville? We’d love to hear from you, comment below!
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