The
view from Raven Rocks is
one of the best in the area. Although the distance is only
5.5 miles with a vertical gain of 1,530ft, as you can see from
the elevation profile, there are three strenuous ascents on
this out and back hike. Raven Rocks is also a popular area with rock climbers, as it can be accessed by a road 0.4 miles from
the east.
Make sure to wear sturdy footwear, as the hike that remains entirely on the white blazed Appalachian Trail,
is very rocky.
Begin the hike by heading north on the white
blazed Appalachian Trail, as it crosses over the first ridge,
then making several steep switchback descents before reaching a small run in 0.8 miles. 100 yards past
the run cross over an unblazed trail and remain on the Appalachian
Trail.
After ascending the next ridge come to a nice view of the
Winchester Valley to the west, before descending and arriving at the Raven
Rocks Hollow stream in 1.2 miles from the last run.
Climb the final ascent of 0.4 miles, passing a sign marking the Virginia, West Virginia border, then reaching Raven Rocks where
you will find fantastic
views towards the south west and the Shenandoah Valley.
During spring and fall, the Raven Rocks 100ft wall is a
favorite spot with local rock climbers. To return retrace your route 2.7 miles back to the parking
area at VA679 and Rt7.
Overall this is a great little out and back hike that is perfect for the shorter days in the winter.
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Calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the Raven Rocks hike:
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Hiker
Reviews For The Raven Rocks Hike (5 Most Recent)
Given the recent posts here about cars getting vandalized at the parking area for this hike, I put my car in the Bears Den lot up the hill on the other side of Rt. 7 (the parking lot for the Buzzard Hill hike, also listed on this site) and all was well. I saw two cars in the Raven Rocks lot (one a Benz!) and when I came back down about 2 hours later both still seemed to be in good shape, so hopefully that spat of vandalization is over. Thanks to the others for posting about this.
The hike itself was very rainy and windy, with this storm settling over us for the past few days. The trail was in fine shape though and the streams were flowing heavy. Didn't stay up at the Rocks for very long though, with the wind cutting right through my clothes and making it not that enjoyable this time around. But eerie, cool skies and the great mid-atlantic green carpetting over the hills and valleys. A great viewpoint. Overall a nice hike along the AT, and a lot easier then the Buzzard Hill hike going the other direction from the same gap (that one always kicks my butt for some reason).
Btw, the Raven Rocks hike is not listed on the main page left side listing, under either VA or WV. Just an FYI.
By:
Michael
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, March 02, 2008
I found the actual trail to be excellent. The entire trail (going out and back) took me a little over 3 hours which included about 30 minutes of resting. The views were spectacular and I found the trail to be challenging since I'm still trying to get back into shape. Just be careful with all the rocks because it is rightly named.
The only downside, and it's a biggie, was that 3 cars were broken into at the Pine Grove parking lot. From talking with one of the victims they said it wasn't the first time either. Be very careful with your vehicle.
By:
Ben & Delilah
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, March 02, 2008
WARNING TO OTHER HIKERS CARS VANDALISED AT THE PARKING LOT FOR THE PAST MONTH
Loved the hike as our son was down for Spring Break and we took the dogs for a hike as well.. This is our 2nd time there and we were sad and disappointed when we saw that our vehicle had been vandalised. The cops' state they know about this but nothing has been posted to alert future hikers of this.
By:
Joe
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, March 01, 2008
Great hike with 2 moderate views of Winchester along the way. Just a word to the wise - there have apparently been a lot of car break-ins in the small lot off Rte. 7. There is a couple of spots with broken car glass, so I think the warning is true. I was advised to park at a restaurant just down the road a ways. It's not far from the trailhead and I don't think the people at the place mind.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Monday, November 12, 2007
Very enjoyable hike, particularly if you don't have an entire day to go out to the SNP. My buddy and I made it out to the rocks in 1 hour and 15 minutes, although there were two very fit climbers with packs that beat us by at least 15 minutes. We took a 10 minute break at the rocks, and made it back in 1 hour and 20 minutes. The trail head is only about 20 minutes west of Leesburg. It's a great workout with all the ups and downs. There are really no level stretches on this hike. Heed the warnings - this is a very rocky section of trail, so I wouldn't recommend it for the little ones. And wear a good pair of boots. The views from the rocks are beautiful, although they are not as dramatic as the kinds of views you see up in the higher elevations of the SNP and GWNF. After this hike, I very much look forward to doing the Buzzard Rocks trail next.
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