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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Reviews For The Buzzard Rock North Hike (5 Most Recent)
This was a great hike!! It was myself, my wife, and my three boys (Ages 5 to 13). Well I think it wasn't the greatest day to go hiking considering the temperature, but we still had fun. Only ran into two hikers on the trial, we made our ascent in the afternoon around three. We made sure to bring plenty of water!!!!! You get a few little breezes as you hike up (just enough to tease you). Once we were on buzzard rock the breeze was nice and we enjoyed a little bit of cloud cover. Don't worry about the streams on the first leg of the hike they are all dried up. The rocks have settled in pretty good on the trial, they don't move too much. The view at the top is absolutely worth it, make sure you go all the way to buzzards rock (the cliffs) and don't turn around at the first view point. You will be terribly dissapointed once you find out what you missed.
By:
Jeff and Dana
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 03, 2010
Enjoyed a great hike here on a beautiful spring day. Only an hours drive outside of DC metro area. The first half of the hike is wooded and has a few gentle stream crossings. Trail is well-maintained. Second half is a moderate ascent to the rocks. Great views from the rocks - saw some rock climbers as well. Overall, a nice hike to do in the morning or afternoon without taking up the whole day.
By:
Heidi W
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 29, 1910
This was a great hike. Quiet! Thought it would be a little busier on Memorial Day Weekend...only passed 10-12 other hikers. We got there about 11:30am, so maybe we were between morning hikers and afternoon groups. First half was through forest, over a couple small streams, then the upward climb to the payoff. Several nice views. We brought lunch and ate on the rocks...great breeze. It was a great first hike of the season...
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