A short hike with epic views atop the northernmost 4,000' peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Statistics

1 - 2

hrs

310

m

310

m

7

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Difficult

Description

Stony Man and Little Stony Man offer some of the best views anywhere in Shenandoah National Park.

As the "most northerly 4,000-foot peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains [[source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stony_Man_Mountain)]," the exposed rock outcroppings give way to sweeping views of the surrounding Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley.

Hawksbill Mountain is the only other peak above 4,000' within the park. In addition to the stunning views, this hike includes a small mixture of "red spruce and balsam fir trees which typically grow in the more northerly latitudes." Known as a Southern-Appalachian spruce-fir forest, you will find similar ecosystems throughout the highest peaks in North Carolina - especially in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

You have two options for parking.

This route is mapped from the Little Stony Many Parking Area on Skyline Drive.

It's a more challenging climb to the summit - but well-worth the effort. Alternatively, there is a parking area at the entrance into Skyland.

Out-and-back hikes from this trailhead are quite popular since the route "gains less than 400 vertical feet in about 1 kilometer," according to [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stony_Man_Mountain).

If you start there, consider looping the Stony Man Trail and Appalachian Trail for a shorter sub-2 mile loop.

*Pets are not allowed on Stony Man Trail.* Sources: https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/StonyMan/ https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hikestonyman.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stony_Man_Mountain