Wildcat Hollow and North Fork Moormans River Loop

Wildcat Hollow and North Fork Moormans River is a 21.5-mile backcountry loop from Blackrock Gap. It descends along the North Fork, crosses to the South Fork, then climbs back over Turk Branch, the Appalachian Trail, Wildcat Ridge and Riprap before returning to the car. The park still lists it as a two-night trip, but the step-by-step itinerary was last revised in 2006; check the current map and conditions before trusting every turn. This is an experienced backpacking trip, not a long day hike. Plan on three days. The suggested daily distances are 2.5–5 miles, 8.8–11.3 miles and 7.7 miles; campsite choice changes how much you cover on the middle day.

From Blackrock Gap, the old itinerary follows North Fork Moormans River Road for 2.2 miles, stays right at a fork and continues downstream as the road becomes trail. The North Fork leg totals 5.2 miles. This is the route’s most water-dependent stretch: there are several stream crossings, and the water can reach knee or waist depth in spring or after heavy rain. The park map advises avoiding crossings during flooding or icy conditions. Build flexibility into this section instead of treating the mileage as a fixed schedule.

After the North Fork, the route follows gravel road toward the reservoir and joins South Fork Moormans River Road. Its 2.1-mile stretch passes a swimming hole noted in the itinerary. The spot’s exact position and water level are not established, so count it as an opportunity, not a guaranteed swim. Carry water and treat or filter any stream water you use.

From South Fork, take Turk Branch for 2.1 miles, then go north on the Appalachian Trail for 2.3 miles to Wildcat Ridge. The itinerary breaks Wildcat Ridge into about 2 miles on the second day and another 0.7 mile downstream the next morning. That split helps shape the two-night trip, but today’s legal campsite locations depend on current rules and closures. The route links several named roads and trails rather than following one single named tread, so carry a current route map and make the turns deliberately. Cell and GPS service can be unreliable in the area.

From Wildcat Ridge, the loop follows Riprap for 4.5 miles, then turns north on the Appalachian Trail for 2.5 miles back to Blackrock Gap. The Riprap map marks Calvary Rocks and Chimney Rock across a gorge on this part of the walk. Calvary Rocks is more than a viewpoint: its white quartzite cliffs and boulder fields expose an ancient shoreline. The sand was laid down more than 500 million years ago, then compressed and altered as the Appalachian Mountains formed. It is one of the route’s clearest chances to see Shenandoah’s long geological story in the landscape.

Start and finish at the Blackrock Gap parking area on Skyline Drive, around milepost 87.4; the older itinerary rounds the access to mile 87. Overnight travel requires a backcountry permit, and you also need a valid park entrance pass. Campsites are dispersed and must meet current setback and closure rules, so use the current backcountry information and leave enough daylight to find a legal site. The NPS itinerary does not guarantee that a particular campsite remains available. Dogs are allowed on this route under the park’s normal leash rule; keep them on a leash no longer than six feet.