Appalachian Trail

Day 1 – Appalachian Trail: Swift Run Gap to Pinefield Gap
12 miles / 19 km / 6.5 hours

We begin this morning being shuttled to our drop point at the Swift Run Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park, where U.S. 33 crosses Skyline Drive. From the trailhead, we leave the road and follow old farm tracks along old apple orchards. We begin our steady ascent via switchbacks to summit Hightop Mountain (3586 ft.), the highest elevation in the south district of the Park, and the highest point of our trek. We’ll encounter sweeping views of the Virginia Piedmont from overlook ledges along the way. From here, the Trail descends gently and gradually, passing by Hightop Hut, a basic wooden overnight shelter for backpackers. After enjoying our somewhat level walk along the ridge crest of Roundtop Mountain (2963 ft.), our hike descends steeply for a time, eventually giving way to a gentler slope. From here, the skyline opens up with panoramic views to Simmons Gap. One more moderate push has us rising up along the northwestern face of Weaver Mountain (2877 ft.). From there, we move down the upper slopes of chestnut and red oak forests that transition to mixed hardwood forests of maples, birch, and basswood as we continue our descent south. We find Pinefield Gap in the valley where we will be met by our shuttle back to our accommodation.

Accommodations

For this trek, decisions about accommodations will be part of our pre-trek planning and will take into account your needs as well as availability. Public accommodations are few within Shenandoah National Park and include Lewis Mountain Cabins, as well as Big Meadows Lodge and Skyland, which offer rustic motel-like rooms, rental cabins, and restaurants. These may not be the most convenient accommodations for us, as availability is often limited and they are located over an hour away from our shuttle pickup and drop-off points. Alternatives include vacation home rentals in the nearby town of Elkton, VA and hotels in nearby Harrisonburg, VA.

Day 2 – Appalachian Trail: Pinefield Gap to Browns Gap
9.3 miles / 15 km / 6 hours

Our shuttle drops us this morning where we left off yesterday, at Pinefield Gap. After passing nearby Pinefield Hut and a freshwater spring along a level track, we begin a slow and steady ascent that includes several scenic viewpoints. The Trail dips back down for a time before beginning our climb up Loft Mountain (3320 ft.). We’ll cross picturesque Ivy Creek before nearing its summit, our highest point today. On the far side of the summit ridge, we skirt Loft Mountain Campground and, time permitting, make a visit to the Camp Store for some quick R & R, or take a moment to enjoy the spectacular 180 degree views from the Loft Mountain Amphitheater on the downslope. We’ll continue down past more panoramic views, including Doyles River Overlook with vistas to the southeast of the distinct pointed peak of High Top Mountain. Our final descent brings us into Brown’s Gap, a historian Civil War area of rich farmland that was used by General Stonewall Jackson during the 1862 Valley Campaign. It is at this junction of the Trail and Skyline Drive that our shuttle driver will meet us and return us to our accommodation.

Day 3 – Jones Run Trail to Doyles River Falls Trail at Skyline Drive
5 miles / 8 km / 6 hours

The final day of our trek leaves the Appalachian Trail in order to hike down, down (and then back up, up!) to take in the beauty of streams and waterfalls in this wilderness area of the Shenandoah National Park. We start the morning being dropped off at the southernmost point of our adventure, the Jones Run Trailhead along Skyline Drive. Today will have us heading down in the valley running north along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, whose undulating ridge lines and valleys we have just previously hiked north to south. Down we’ll go in a considerable descent, into a deep gorge where we will walk along picturesque streams, see high broken cliffs and rock formations, and stop to take in some cool refreshment in one of the many swimming holes. This area is a tree lover’s delight, with old growth trees including hemlock and white pine. At our midpoint, we’ll take in two of the. most photographed waterfalls in the Park, with opportunities to view them from several angles and heights. We then begin our hike back up the slope amongst rock formations and through more hardwood forest. After a brief sharp incline, the trail eases into a steady and doable ascent. This part of the trail is notable for encounters with all types of wildlife, including wild turkeys, owls, white-tailed deer, red foxes, shrews, coyotes, bobcats, and bears! We end our trek at the shuttle pick up point at Doyles River Falls Trailhead as it meets Skyline Drive, where we will be taken back to our accommodation for a last night together or on to your transportation home.

Required

• Daypack (15L)
• Flashlight
• Fleece/Wool Jacket or Sweater
• Waterproof Shell Jacket
• Hiking Pants
• Hiking Shoes or Boots
• Personal Hygiene Supplies
• Sun/Rain Hat
• Sunblock
• T-Shirts (quick drying synthetic)
• (2) 1-qt Water Bottles
  

Optional

• Bandana or Buff
• Camp Towel
• Camera
• Sit Pad
• Small Binoculars
• Waterproof Stuff Sack

For a comprehensive list, please visit the Resources page.

Official Pennine Way Page

Pennine Way Wikipedia Page