Shenandoah National Park, VA
A 4.2-mile out-and-back with a steady 1,000-foot climb.
Overview
Map & elevation
Plan your hike
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Shenandoah Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Shenandoah National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Shenandoah audio tourMore stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Upper Dark Hollow is a yellow-blazed trail shared by hikers and horses, running from Finks Hollow Lane to Rapidan Fire Road. Walk it as a 4.2-mile out-and-back, retracing the same corridor. The mapped tread is about 2.0 miles one way; an older route map lists 2.2 miles for this segment inside longer horse circuits. This is a through route, not a loop, and it is separate from the Dark Hollow Falls hike.
The trail climbs about 1,000 feet from Finks Hollow Lane to Rapidan Fire Road. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours for the return trip; the uphill is on the way out, with the descent saved for the walk back.
This is a mountain trail, not a smooth nature path. The surrounding horse-route network is described as a rolling route with long stretches that can be rough, rocky or narrow; those warnings are not pinned to this segment point by point. The park advises against the wider route in wet or winter conditions, so treat slick footing as a reason to turn around.
Begin at the Finks Hollow Lane end, just outside the park boundary. The Rapidan area has roadside access from Virginia Route 649, but the exact designated pull-off for this trail is not confirmed. Use designated public parking only and verify the legal place to leave your car before starting; don't block a gate or private drive. Pets are allowed here on a leash no longer than six feet. Cell and GPS service can be unreliable in the Rapidan area.
Wildlife
325 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
21 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
1,036 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
167 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
93 sightingsTimber RattlesnakeMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
24 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Shenandoah. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateDark Hollow Falls1.4 mi · 1.5 hr · 3.1 mi awayA shady creek descent, a waterfall, and a steep climb back.
EasyHawksbill Summit via Upper Hawksbill2.1 mi · 1.5 hr · 3.2 mi awayA short climb to Shenandoah’s high point and its stone-walled panorama.
ChallengingWhiteoak Canyon and Nicholson Hollow Loop16.1 mi · 12 hr · 3.2 mi awayA two-day loop links Whiteoak Falls, ridge trails, and Nicholson Hollow.
ModerateLower Whiteoak Falls Trail2.8 mi · 2.3 hr · 3.2 mi awayRocky creek crossings lead to the base of Lower Whiteoak Falls.ChallengingWhiteoak Canyon - Hawksbill Summit Loop13 mi · 10 hr · 3.2 mi awayWaterfalls, a high ridge traverse, and Shenandoah's highest summit.
ModerateRose River Falls Loop4 mi · 4.5 hr · 3.3 mi awayRocky streamside loop to a waterfall, with an uphill finish.
ChallengingBig Meadows and Laurel Prong Loop19 mi · 15 hr · 3.3 mi awayA two-night loop links Big Meadows, Lewis Falls, and Hoover’s retreat.
EasyStory of the Forest Trail1.8 mi · 1.5 hr · 3.4 mi awayAn easy woods loop past a stream and air-quality station.
Sight · 2.3 mi awayRapidan CampA creekside Hoover retreat with history worth the uphill return.Sight · 2.7 mi awayRose River FallsA 67-foot waterfall with cascades along its four-mile approach.
Sight · 2.7 mi awayDark Hollow FallsA brief, steep stream walk to a 70-foot cascade.
Sight · 3 mi awayCedar Run FallsA narrow-gorge waterfall worth a strenuous hike through Cedar Run.
Sight · 3.1 mi awayBig Meadows CCC CampA short walk through Big Meadows' CCC camp footprint.
Sight · 3.2 mi awayOld Rag View OverlookA three-mile view of Old Rag from Skyline Drive.
Lodging · 3.2 mi awayJones Mountain CabinA restored log cabin with a strenuous 3.8-mile hike-in.
Scenic pullout · 3.4 mi awayFishers Gap OverlookA narrow valley view frames New Market Gap's Civil War story.Parkwolf’s Shenandoah ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
