Hazel Mountain–Catlett Mountain Loop

Hazel Mountain–Catlett Mountain Loop is a 7.8-mile circuit from Meadow Spring Parking Area, linking Hazel Mountain Trail with Catlett Mountain Trail and Catlett Spur before climbing back to the same lot. Allow about five hours. This is a long backcountry walk through forest and old stonework, without a broad summit panorama; choose it for a quieter, longer outing rather than a quick viewpoint.

From the lot near Skyline Drive milepost 33.5, follow the yellow-blazed Hazel Mountain Trail. It drops roughly 700 feet by the Catlett Spur junction at about 2.2 miles, then climbs again. Pass the Buck Ridge branch at 0.3 mile. At roughly 2.2 miles, note Catlett Spur as your return route, but stay on Hazel Mountain until the Catlett Mountain turn around mile 3.7. A White Rocks junction appears around mile 2.8; that leads into a different route. Distances are approximate, and the many junctions are a good reason to carry a current map.

Catlett Mountain drops into low ground before a steep climb of about 300 feet. Follow Catlett Spur back toward the earlier Hazel Mountain junction; this stretch passes a crumbling stone wall that may mark an old property boundary. Route notes describe rock-hopping across Runyon Run on Catlett Mountain and further crossings on Catlett Spur, but the exact crossing points are difficult to place on current maps. Treat the stream as a variable obstacle, especially after spring runoff or heavy rain.

At roughly 5.6 miles, rejoin Hazel Mountain Trail for the final 2.2-mile uphill return to Meadow Spring. Carry your own drinking water and treat any water collected from streams. Shenandoah National Park requires an entrance pass; dogs are allowed on this route on a physical leash no longer than six feet. A separate backcountry permit is required if you camp overnight.