White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run Hike

White Oak Canyon / Cedar Run - SNP, Virginia


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Length	Difficulty	Streams	Views	Solitude	Camping
7.9 mls
Hiking Time: Elev. Gain: Parking: Links: Resources:	5.0 hours plus a half hour for lunch 2,450 ft N38 32.356 W78 20.961 Shenandoah National Park Printable Topo Hike Map (PDF) Sperryville 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 20 car White Oak Trail parking area on Weakley Hollow Rd.

This hike has some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Shenandoah National Park. Combining two out-and-back hikes, White Oak Canyon & Cedar Run, this loop starts at the bottom of the valley and cuts over near the top of the ridge. With five major falls, numerous smaller cascades and pools, this circuit hike is one of the best.

Begin up the blue blazed White Oak Canyon (WOC) Trail, at the top of the upper parking area next to the SNP ranger station. Shortly cross a steel footbridge, then arrive at the intersection of the Cedar Run Trail that will be your return route. Stay straight on the WOC Trail as it winds to the right, then crosses another steel footbridge over WOC Run.

Follow the blue blazed trail on the right side of WOC Run reaching the WOC/Cedar Run Connector Trail in 0.6 miles. Stay straight on the right side of WOC Run for another 0.7 miles, cross a small stream, then arrive the base of the first set of major falls.

The trail will now make several switchbacks as the grade gets steeper, then reaches the second set of falls in 0.6 miles. Again, the trail will switchback several times, then become less steep, and arrive at a concrete marker for the base of the main WOC falls. To see the falls from the base, follow the side trail straight for 100 yards. Continue uphill on the WOC Trail as it steeply climbs the last 0.1 miles to the main WOC falls overlook.

Continuing uphill from the main overlook, and shortly arrive at the yellow blazed Bridge Path Trail that comes in from the right. Stay straight, then cross WOC Run in another 40 yards at the horse rail. If WOC Run is high, continue up the right side of WOC Run and cross a footbridge in 120 yards.

After crossing the run follow the wide yellow blazed WOC Fire Road/Horse Trail. In 1.6 miles the WOC Fire Road/Horse Trail will veer right. Stay left on the narrower yellow blazed trail, marked on a concrete post as "Horse Tr To Big Meadows". In 0.6 miles the horse trail intersects the blue blazed Cedar Run Trail.

Turn left downhill on the blue blazed Cedar Run Trail, then in 1.3 miles cross Cedar Run. In 0.2 miles after crossing Cedar Run reach the top set of main falls at Halfmile Cliff known as "The Slide". 60 yards below the main falls is a pool where Cedar Run passes through a narrow gorge.

Continue downward on the Cedar Run Trail for 0.5 miles where the blue blazed trail makes a sharp left to cross Cedar Run for the last time. After crossing Cedar Run follow the trail for 0.3 miles to the intersection of the WOC/Cedar Run Connector Trail. Turn right downhill on the Cedar Run Trail towards RT600, and in 0.4 miles arrive back at the WOC Trail intersection. Turn right, re-cross the steal footbridge, and arrive back at the parking area.

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Hiker Reviews For The White Oak/Cedar Run Hike (5 Most Recent)

Review the White Oak/Cedar Run hike here! Average Review Rating:

By: mijoy	Rating:	Date of Hike: Saturday, June 06, 2009
Hiked this trail from the Hawksbill parking area.� Went down Cedar Falls first then came up and around.� Going down the Cedar Falls trail took a few hours as with all the rain it was VERY wet and slippery.� The views of the falls were spectacular.� Definately not a hike for the beginner.

By: tdj	Rating:	Date of Hike: Sunday, May 31, 2009
We hiked the circuit counter-clockwise starting at Hawksbill Gap.� We had a huge thunderstorm the night before which made the Cedar Run crossings a little more challenging.� The rocky Cedar Run trail was very slippery, also.�� The constant sound of the rushing water was awesome.� Great views and a gorgeous hike.� Given the weather, we thought the trail would be packed, but was pleasantly surprised that the hiker traffic wasn't too bad.� Took us 5.5 hours (including our lunch stop.)� This is a must do hike.

By: Chance	Rating:	Date of Hike: Saturday, May 23, 2009
My friends and I had the best hike ever�at WOCR. The scenic views�were just spectacular�with such amazing cascading water falls.�The sound of flowing water made the hike much more relaxing, even with the challenging steep climbs. We�saw a few�wildlife creatures�up close such as a�snake, an owl, flock of ravens splashing about in the water�and�a�black bear. I would like to say�"thank you"�to the two good samaritans that walked with us and made noise in hopes of�scarying the bear away.�Overall, this is now�one of my best hiking experiences ever and plan to visit again�before�the summer ends.��

By:	Rating:	Date of Hike: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Did the hike counterclockwise from White Oak Canyon Parking.� Temps were in the 70's with a slight overcast and took me less than 4 hours to complete.� This was by far one of the best hikes I experienced in the SNP.� Very challenging and lush greenery all over the trail runs along the streams - thought I was in a rainforest jungle.� Numerous spots to rinse and cool off along the WOC and CR portion.�

By:	Rating:	Date of Hike: Saturday, April 25, 2009
This was great hike for me so far..!! Hike was a bit strennous compared to it's difficult level with Rip Rap hollow, with all the steepy climbs. But the stream and the waterfall make it all go away It was not that green on the top of the mountain or once we reached�horse trail and starting of the Cedar trail during this time We had swim holes (am not sure if we are allowed to swim there), with people swimming at all points and it would be great. I'd love to camp at any place along the trail, but unfortunately we dont have any camping spots. I love this hike for the steeps, waterfalls and the stream all across and definitely plan for this probly around fall

View all 39 reviews for the White Oak/Cedar Run hike

Late September

Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls! This has to be the most spectacular waterfall hike in Shenandoah National Park. With three sets of falls on the way up White Oak Canyon and three smaller falls heading down Cedar Run, this circuit is among the mid-Atlantic's most popular. Lots of company on the trail.

Usually, the ideal time for this hike is in early spring, but with the rain we've had in the last month, all the falls were near their best. The wildlife was also out; we came across several black snakes, this guy (vid) was a local celebrity with hikers on Saturday, and we also saw a juvenile black bear on the trail.