Main Hikes Map Virginia Hiking Books Manassas Bull Run
Wildcat Mountain House Mountain Beards Mountain
Sky Meadows Raven Rocks Prince William Forest
Raven Rocks - Bluemont, Virginia


Printable Topo Trail Map
   Click for location shots
  
Click for Parking/Start location
  
Hike trail colors
  
Other trail

Sign up for REI Gearmail
and save 15%!

REI.com
Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping
5.5mls
Hiking Time:
Elev. Gain:
Links:
Resources:
From:

e.g. 12000 Government Center Parkway 22035 or Fairfax VA
Turn onto Pine Grove Rd. and park in 20 yards on the right into the small parking area and trailhead.
WARNING: Do Not park on Pine Grove Rd/VA679 or you may be towed. Adhere to the No Parking signs.

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.

Interactive Hike Map Below Printable Topo Hike Map (PDF)
Hike route in   Drag the map with your mouse using the icon Zoom with the controls on the left
Click the icons in the map below for location shots


Calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the Raven Rocks hike:

=
Hiker Reviews For The Raven Rocks Hike (5 Most Recent)
Review the Raven Rocks hike here!   Average Rating:   Share Hike: 

By: LeoraR Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, March 03, 2013
I recommend this as a good morning hike, and probably an excellent hike for newbies. It's close to DC, quiet, well-marked, and has a lovely view of the Shenandoah valley. There are a couple decent climbs that will make you break a sweat, but generally it's gentle. I began at 9 and only saw a couple people, but it was noticeably more crowded when I was finishing. It shouldn't take more than 3 hours unless you dawdle - I was back in the city in time for Sunday brunch.

By: Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, February 17, 2013
Chilly and windy day.  We'd only done this hike once before in the early summer and got a super late start. Hiking Upward lists this hike at about 4 hours and I'd say that's a good average depending on your speed and abilities. Fearing a return in the dusk we kept a pretty relentless pace and finished this out and back in 2 hours and 35 minutes. Not a lot of time to sight-see but still a nice trip through the woods. Windy and cold depending on where you were on the mountain. After spending a few minutes at the peak taking in the view we headed back. Good hike for those trying to get out of the city without the time to reach Shenandoah, will definitely be back!

By: Hans ( und Heidi ) Rating: Date of Hike: Tuesday, January 08, 2013
For January the day was warm and in the 50 degrees area. There was some snow about and on the trail here and there. We found the hike to be pleasant with just enough grade variation to make for a good 4 hour workout. The woodlands and terrain are nice and not "junky" here. The view from the rock outcrops was very distant but not widely panoramic, still beautiful by any measures. A special thing happened of note. Heidi had dropped her cell phone on the trail and some very nice young people made a great effort to contact me and returned the lost phone soon thereafter while we were still hiking. They saved the day and a whole lot more potential anguishes.

By: Trevor Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, September 16, 2012
For seasoned hikers, this was a perfect choice for a day hike.  Just enough difficulty to tease your interest in hiking some more without being so demanding that it makes you want to sit and rest.  The view at the 'top,' really just an amazing vista situated along a ridge on the AT, is worth every bit of the hike.  We didn't plan on visiting another state, but after overlooking the West Virginia border on the map, it was a welcome surprise just beneath the Raven Rocks.  Grab your lunch and your pup and you've got the recipe for a great afternoon!

By: Christian Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, July 01, 2012
Used this trail to break in my new trekking poles and boy did they come in handy. I'd read descriptions that this was a rocky trail and it did not disappoint. Proper footwear (i.e. boots with ankle support) helped a lot too. Even though I got to the trail head really early (6:30am) I still ran into a total of about 17 other hikers. Fortunately that was mostly on my way back down from the rocks, which I had peacefully to myself for about 20 minutes. Views were nice from the top and the ascents offer a decent workout. I'd come back again in the fall/winter when the views open up more.

    View all 68 reviews for the Raven Rocks hike
Late January
Mid January
about us | home page | terms of use | © 2000 - 2013