Old Rag Mountain — Attraction in Luray

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS HIKE! I hiked this Halloween weekend in 2020. It was amazing! I camped at Big Meadows Campground Friday night and woke up early to watch the sunrise on Skyline Drive. I drove to the trailhead, which was a little confusing at first because there's no service on Skyline Drive. I downloaded the map of the area offline beforehand on GoogleMaps as I knew service is always spotty up in the mountains. When you search for Old Rag Mt, Google Maps will have you basically drive through the mountains via another hiking trail which isn't possible of course, so type in Old Rag Fees & Visitors and it’ll bring you right there! It was pretty packed that morning given that it was below 30's the night before and still pretty cold that morning. I got there around noon and got lucky with hikers leaving so I parked in the main lot right by the bathrooms/fees booth/trail entrance. The hike was less than 6 hours and so worth it. I'm a fit young hiker and took the hike easy with minimal stopping for food and a short break on the summit. There are many peaks and some people left after the first peak as there's a rock scramble from the first peak and the summit. There was also a helicopter rescue that day so there was a wait to get to the summit as hikers were stopped during the rescue and many decided to go back down the initial way. There was also a volunteer Park Ranger at the summit to assist as needed and he said he makes his way back down close to sunset, so if you're hoping to hike for sunset, there's an experienced hiker there sometimes for the hike back down! The rock scramble was SO worth it! I've hiked shorter rock scrambles in NY, but this one was amazing. I 100% recommend hiking boots as the rocks are slippery and soft but many people made it work with tennis/running shoes, super important to protect your ankles. Definitely pack lots of food and water to enjoy up top! During my trek downhill, which takes a good 2 hours of moderately walking, I passed a few groups of hikers making their way up to the summit for sunset! This is a NP, so there is a fee if you don't have a day pass or the annual pass (definitely recommend getting one!) All in all, I recommend this hike and staying at one of SNP's campgrounds. I felt very safe traveling as a young solo female during the hike and at the campground and I'd 100% do it again next year during peak foliage, which I heard parking was filled by 8 am! My Instagram is @cameraonyou if you want to check out my photos from that weekend or have...

We did the Old Rag trail today with our 8-year-old son, and it was an absolute blast. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys rock scrambling and has some hiking experience.

The first 2.5–3 mile take you through a forest trail with a steady, moderate slope. The scenery doesn’t change too much, but we had some fun moments along the way (we saw deer a couple of times!). It was peaceful and never felt boring.

By the time we reached the main viewpoint, we’d gained around 1,400+ feet in elevation. That’s also where the rock scramble begins. In the next mile or so, we climbed nearly another 1,000 feet over the rocks to reach the summit.

As an amateur hiker who rarely works out and is a bit out of shape, I found this part pretty exhausting. My heart was pounding hard most of the time, and I had to move slowly to pick my way through. There were a few spots where I asked my husband for a hand when I couldn’t pull myself up or was nervous about a jump. Meanwhile, our son zipped up the rocks like it was nothing. So I believe that height isn’t much of an issue if you’re athletic and have good body control in a few key spots. My husband, who works out occasionally, handled the trail with ease.

All of us loved this hike. It’s a trail you really shouldn’t miss. Compared to Angels Landing in Zion, Old Rag feels much less scary, and compared to Breakneck Ridge in New York, the views here are far better.

A Few Tips: • Start early — it took us over 6 hours (I was slow on the scramble), so give yourself plenty of time. • Bring lots of water — especially in warm weather. We went through 6 liters between the three of us. • Pack some snacks, sugar, or a little energy boost — something like a Red Bull can help when you hit a wall. • Hike with a friend — having someone there to help at tricky points makes a difference. • Consider gloves, knee pads, and good hiking shoes — they’ll make the rock scrambling more manageable and comfortable. • Hiking poles are useful, especially on the descent, but you’ll want a way to stash them when you’re scrambling on all fours. • Wear durable clothing — our son ripped his pants while climbing, and let’s just say, hiking with half your butt hanging out isn’t...

Old Rag is a great experience. This trail strikes a rare balance: it’s long enough to be satisfying, challenging enough to be always fun, and scenic enough to take your breath away. We spent about 7 hours completing the loop, including rest breaks at the summit and a few slower-paced stretches. It was time well spent.

The trail opens with a steady 2.5-mile uphill hike (about 1400 ft elevation gain), a peaceful warm-up that winds through shaded woods and builds anticipation for what’s ahead. Once you reach the scenic ridge, the real adventure begins: nearly a mile of rock scrambling with another 1000 ft elevation gain. This section is pure joy — crawling through boulder crevices, sliding between slabs, pushing yourself up onto ledges, and sometimes even using all four limbs. The variety keeps you mentally and physically engaged. Every corner brings a new surprise: a staircase carved through vertical stone, or a massive teetering boulder daring you to pose with it.

The views at the top are expansive and calming, with layers of rolling green mountains fading into the blue. It’s not as jaw-dropping as the Grand Canyon, but there’s a quiet, vast beauty to it — like watching the spine of the Blue Ridge unfold beneath you.

Along the way, there are whimsical moments too: hikers sitting at the edge of sheer rock faces soaking in the silence, a heart-shaped dent on a boulder, and rocky formations that resemble animals or ancient ruins. Even the rest stops feel special, perched on flat granite slabs that invite quiet reflection.

We brought 12 bottles of water for 3 people — just enough on a warm day. Be sure to hydrate, and wear good shoes with grip for the scrambling sections. If you’re not into crowds, start early — this trail is popular for a reason. Also, remember to get the permit.

This hike is more than exercise. It’s meditative, immersive, and restorative. By the time you descend the final switchbacks, your legs may ache, but your mind will...