Buzzard Rock North Hike

Buzzard Rock North - Front Royal, Virginia


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	HikingUpward Geocache N38.94406 W78.30022 Geocaching.com: GC234YN map below:info

Length	Difficulty	Streams	Views	Solitude	Camping
4.0 mls
Hiking Time: Elev. Gain: Links: Resources:	1.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch 650 ft George Washington National Forest Printable Topo Hike Map (PDF) Front Royal Weather Forecast Graphic Precip/Temp Forecast Current Weather Radar Loop (Java) Garmin (GDB), GPS eXchange (GPX) (What's this?) 3D View of Route!
From:	e.g. 12000 Government Center Parkway 22035 or Fairfax VA Park at the Buzzard Rock parking area on Mountain Rd/VA619

The Buzzard Rock North hike is a short and easy hike that has a great payoff with spectacular vistas from Buzzard Rock. Buzzard Rock is the high point of the cliffs that are visible from Fort Valley. The Buzzard Rock cliffs can also be accessed from the south on the Buzzard Rock hike that starts at the Elizabeth Furnace picnic grounds.

From the Buzzard Rock parking area on Mountain Rd/VA619 follow the white blazed Buzzard Rock Trail as it winds through several small hollows on the lower part of the mountain before becoming more steep and reaching the ridge in 1.5 miles.

From the ridge there are views towards the north and Winchester, as well as to the east and the Front Royal area. There is a small campsite and fire ring at this point but the ground is uneven. The next good campsite on the ridge is in another 1.8 miles, 0.1 miles before the Shawl Gap trail intersection.

Continue on the ridge and in 0.1 miles, the trail will make a short switchback with a climb over a small knoll. In another 0.1 miles after crossing the knoll reach the first of several great overlooks from the Buzzard Rock Cliffs. Follow the cliffs for another 0.3 miles where there are spectacular views of Fort Valley. Turn around at this point. The white Blazed Buzzard Rock Trail continues another 1.8 miles to the intersection of the Shawl Gap and Massanutten Trails.

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Hiker Reviews For The Buzzard Rock North Hike (5 Most Recent)

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By: Jayne Hiking Addict	Rating:	Date of Hike: Sunday, November 04, 2012
http://www.meetup.com/hiking-162/events/88197372/ Fantastic hike when the leaves are off the trees. It took us about a half hour to get up to the first view, then 9 of us headed left. Some made it to the intersection (less than 4 miles one way) before heading back. You can go much further as you'll hit several trails. There are lots of rocks along the trail which offer a challenge as you climb. I'll definitely be back.

By:	Rating:	Date of Hike: Sunday, October 21, 2012
Today was a beautiful day to hike this simple trail and it was NOT crowed with leafers as Skyline Drive was. This side is mainly hiked by the locals but the parking lot is VERY SMALL and hidden. This route is the fastest way to the top and it's very easy for new people to enjoy a beautiful view. Hikers when you reach the ridge please respect climbing ropes (keep your kids and dogs close) as this place has rock climbers all over it rock climbers please respect the trees! WARNING: If the parking lot is filled, DO NOT PARK IN THE ROAD, DO NOT PARK ON SOMEONES DRIVE WAY, DO NOT BLOCK THE PARKING LOT ENTRANCE - YOU WILL GET TOWED!!!! If you get towed, please call Warren County Sheriff's Office at (540) 635-4128. This happen on 10/21, about 5 to 8 cars were towed that day because they park along the road, park on someones drive way and someone blocked half of the entrance to the parking lot.

By: Arlhiker	Rating:	Date of Hike: Saturday, June 23, 2012
This is a really nice hike, but make sure to extend the hike longer than listed here. We went 3 miles up, for an out and back of just over 6 miles. Made for a very nice half day hike. The trail runs long the top of the ridge which makes it pretty unique in that there are great views to the left and to the right. Highly recommended.

By: Momof4	Rating:	Date of Hike: Sunday, April 15, 2012
We live 5 miles from the Parking lot on Rt 619 and hike here often. My 4 kids (age 3 to 10) love to zip down the road to get here when school work is finished. We don't always go to the top. The path winds by a stream/streams and we often spend time looking for creatures. We've found 3 types of salamanders under logs along the trail at various elevations (red backed, spotted and the elusive slimy I think). A great place for a hike. One of my favorites in the area. Not too strenuous. Can be muddy at the front end of the trail in spring or after rain.

By:	Rating:	Date of Hike: Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A great hike for amateurs. A 10 year old made it to the top without any trouble. A couple of rock scrambles and several (4?) creek crossings. As for campsites it really depends on the number in your party. A large party would do well to camp at the base of the mountain. Smaller parties can get away with the smaller campsites at the top of the ridge. Of course, there's no water up there so take that into account. The views are great - not Big Schloss - but still worth the trip.

View all 15 reviews for the Buzzard Rock North hike

Late May - Photos Courtesy of Heidi W.

Mid January