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Hazel River - SNP, Virginia



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Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping
11.0 mls
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5 hours with a half hour for lunch
2,150 ft
Shenandoah National Park
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e.g. 12000 Government Center Parkway 22035 or Fairfax VA
Park at the Buck Hollow and Meadow Spring Trails parking area

The Hazel River circuit easily gets a difficulty rating of five. Starting on Skyline Drive the route descends almost to the bottom of the valley. On the return leg along the White Rocks Trail the grades are extremely steep. The payoff is a great waterfall at the top of Hazel River just off the White Rocks Trail.

Start out to the right through the closed gate on yellow blazed Hazel Mountain Trail (the blue blazed Buck Hollow Trail starts from the same point and descends on the left). In 0.5 miles come to the intersection of the Buck Ridge Trail.

Turn right remaining on the yellow blazed Hazel Mountain Trail. In 1.1 miles arrive at the intersection of the White Rocks Trail that you will be ascending at the end of the loop. Remain straight on the Hazel Mountain Trail and reach the intersection of the Catlett Spur Trail in another 0.7 miles.

Stay straight crossing Runyon's Run and passing the intersection of the Hazel River Trail on your left in 0.9 miles before arriving at the Sams Ridge Trail in another 0.1 miles.

Now turn left onto the blue blazed Sams Ridge Trail and in 0.1 miles pass the Broad Hollow Trail that intersects from the right. For the next 2.1 miles along the Sams Ridge Trail the grade of the descent increases as it winds towards the valley below making a sharp left turn before reaching Hazel River.

Turn left on the yellow blazed Hazel River Trail for 1.3 miles crossing the river several times before arriving at the intersection of the White Rocks Trail. Turn right onto the yellow blazed White Rocks Trail cross the Hazel River for the last time then begin an extremely steep ascent to the ridge.

At the ridge continue for 1.2 miles and reach the waterfall trail. Take the trail 0.2 miles steeply downward to Hazel River and one of the main highlights of the circuit. Return to the White Rocks Trail, turn left, and in 0.9 miles arrive back at the Hazel Mountain Trail that you descended earlier.

Turn right uphill on the Hazel Mountain Trail retracing you route, again passing the Buck Ridge Trail in 1.1 miles where you now turn left and in 0.5 miles further arrive back at the parking area.

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Hiker Reviews For The Hazel River Hike (5 Most Recent)
Review the Hazel River hike here!   Average Review Rating:

By: Brandon Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, March 22, 2008
I did this route clockwise. On the one hand, taking the official and unoffical spur trails down to the falls were a piece of cake. On the other hand, ascending Sams Ridge was absolutely awful.

Hiking beside the Hazel River is wonderful regardless of which way you go. The water's a little high right now I believe, as a couple crossings were tricky, but that's why I have shoes with Goretex.

There were actually some pretty decent views on the White Rocks trail, more than I was expecting.

Recommended for a challenge, and hiking beside a small river (more like a big run), as opposed to a quaint stream. *****


By: DontStartInTheValley Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, November 19, 2006
Contrary to what some of the other reviewers wrote, I would advise hikers to NOT start the hike in the valley, which is a pity since it would be a better hike. Unless I missed something, all the logical places to park around Route 600 had "No parking" signs. You might be able to squeeze a car in at other places, but the hiker hostile locals might have your car towed.

By: Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, July 16, 2006
This is a great hike on a hot day when humidity is so high you will not get much in the way of views anyway. However, I suggest the hike start from the valley along the Hazel River. Take the Hazel River trail to White Rocks Trail (if the water is up like it was yesterday, you will get your feet wet). Continue up over the white rocks (some good views into Hazel River valley (you can hear the falls). Note: I've seen Bear in this section 3 of the last 4 years I've hiked it. (saw two of the biggest bears I've seen in the wild here last year...) continue over the 4 humps of White Rock trail to the trail marker for Hazel River Falls and descend steeply. BRING A BATHING SUIT. The water is COLD and VERY REFRESHING! There is a nice ~6ft pool at the base of the falls. DON'T JUMP IN - there is a tree under the water w/ sharp branches...I recommend you bring some Tivas for the water play. Enjoy!

By: Jerry W Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, May 13, 2006
It was a great hike.  But it was NOT easy.  After hiking Old Rag, Little Devils Stairs, and several other hikes in the area I decided to tackle this '5' difficulty hike.  And it IS a 5 (at least relative to the others).   Follow the recommended path -- otherwise the hike down Sams Ridge trail will be a hellacious uphill climb (worse than the one you're already in for!)  Stopping at the Hazel River for lunch and I knew why I wanted to do this hike.  Only one other person on the trail the entire trip.  Some of the river crossings were a bit confusing when the rocks only went half way but I never had to take the boots off -- I just got creative.  This one is tough on your legs so if you're out of shape, you might want to come in the reverse direction just to see the falls.  That's only about 2.7 miles in.

By: Speedo Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, July 31, 2005
I started at rt. 600 instead of Skyline Drive, which covers the same route except the out-and-back segment to SD. The route was strenuous at times but also had a good bit of relatively level sections, so there is good opportunity to recover. The previous reviewer is correct about Sam's Ridge in the summer- the views are largely gone due to the thicker foliage. Just as well- this is a steeper segment of the loop and it requires a good bit of concentration. This is an excellent hike, but I gave it four stars instead of five because of the quality of some of the neighboring hikes (e.g Old Rag).

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