Jordan River Trail

Jordan River Trail is an out-and-back from Bean Hollow Road to the Mount Marshall Trail junction at Thoroughfare Gap. The mapped route is about 2.8 miles round trip and takes roughly 1½–2 hours. It follows the Jordan River into Shenandoah, then climbs toward the gap. This is a good pick for a short, wooded walk into the ridge-trail network; it does not end at a summit or overlook.

The mapped corridor measures about 1.4 miles to the gap. Written route directions put the junction closer to 1.25–1.3 miles one way, so the total can read nearer 2.5 miles depending on how it is measured. The stored distance follows the mapped line out and back.

The route is marked with yellow blazes and climbs toward the ridge, with some steeper stretches. Hikers have reported several stream crossings; expect to deal with water on the way rather than treating this as a dry, level stroll. At Thoroughfare Gap, Jordan River Trail meets Mount Marshall Trail. Turn around there for this route. The longer Browntown Loop is a separate itinerary that uses Jordan River Trail as one segment.

Start at the end of Bean Hollow Road (Route 629), where the National Park Service access guide lists roadside parking for about four cars. The entrance is easy to miss. The guide also says the first 0.2 mile of the foot approach crosses private land before reaching park land; stay on the established access and respect posted boundaries. Dogs are allowed on this route under the park’s usual rule, on a physical leash no longer than six feet.