Could you ask for a better day for one of the best hikes in the mid-Atlantic? I got on the trail at about 7 a.m. and just managed to get the last spot in the upper parking area. Looks like other people had the same idea :)

The Old Rag Mountain hike, in the Shenandoah National Park, is one of the most popular hikes in the mid-Atlantic region. With many spectacular panoramic views, and one of the most challenging rock scrambles in the park, this circuit hike is a favorite of many hikers. But be prepared for the crowds. This is the only hike to which we give a star rating for solitude.

On the other hand, it's the only hike we give a star rating to for views. Many hikers also prefer to do this loop counterclockwise, thereby tackling the rock scramble on the Ridge Trail on the downhill. Either way, the rock scramble can be challenging, being both steep and requiring climbing through cracks in the rock.