Best Hikes Near Harrisonburg VA: Trail Guide by Level

Some of the best hiking I know is just outside Harrisonburg. The city sits between the George Washington National Forest to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east, with the Massanutten Range running through the middle of the valley. Buyers who move here often ask me about trails first, so I put this list together for them.

Distances and elevation below come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and trail guides. Where sources disagree, I list the range. Trail conditions change, so check the official source before you go.

Easy Hikes

Lake Shenandoah Loop

Distance: About 1.6 miles | Difficulty: Easy

A 36-acre public fishing lake managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, with a loop trail of mostly gravel. Expect a few dirt and rocky stretches, and no facilities along the trail. Sources disagree on whether the full loop is stroller friendly, so plan for rougher footing.

Friendly City Trail

Distance: 2.2 miles | Difficulty: Easy

An asphalt greenway that runs from Harrisonburg High School to Westover Park and passes through Hillandale Park.

Wildwood Park, Bridgewater

Distance: About 0.3 miles | Difficulty: Easy

A short walking path through the park, with picnic tables, a playground, grills and restrooms. It’s a good stop if you want a quick walk and a place to sit afterward. The park is at 648 W. Bank Street in Bridgewater.

Moderate Hikes

Kaylors Knob

Distance: About 3.5 to 3.8 miles out and back | Elevation gain: About 380 to 700 feet, depending on source | Difficulty: Moderate

A ridge hike near Massanutten Resort. The trail is shared with mountain bikers, dogs must be leashed, and there are no restrooms at the trailhead. From Harrisonburg, take US 33 east to SR 644 (Resort Drive), turn onto Massanutten Drive and then Del Webb Drive, and park at the ridge crest.

Todd Lake and Trimble Mountain Loop

Distance: About 4 miles | Elevation gain: About 1,050 feet (trail guide estimate) | Difficulty: Easy to moderate

A yellow-blazed loop that starts across the road from the Todd Lake parking area. Around the 1.2-mile mark you reach the ridge, and on the way down you get views of Big Bald and Little Bald Mountains. The loop finishes near the Todd Lake dam. The recreation area is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Fourth Mountain Overlook (Massanutten South Trail)

Distance: About 1.5 miles along the Massanutten South Trail to the side path | Difficulty: Moderate

An orange-blazed trail that leads to an overlook about 0.4 miles south of the Grubbs Knob summit, with views west over the Shenandoah Valley. SummitPost gives directions from Cub Run Road.

Dark Hollow Falls (Shenandoah National Park)

Distance: 1.4 miles round trip | Elevation gain: About 440 feet | Difficulty: Moderate

The National Park Service handout lists about 1.25 hours of hiking time. The falls are about 70 feet tall and sit roughly 0.75 miles down the trail from the Skyline Drive parking area near mile 50.7. The return climb is steep and rocky.

South River Falls (Shenandoah National Park)

Distance: 2.6 miles round trip to the overlook | Elevation gain: About 850 feet | Difficulty: Moderate

The overlook looks over an 83-foot waterfall. The trail starts at South River Picnic Grounds. The National Park Service also lists a 3.3-mile loop with about 910 feet of gain, and a steep, rocky spur to the base of the falls.

Challenging Hikes

Reddish Knob

Elevation: 4,397 feet | Difficulty: Easy to reach, challenging to climb

Reddish Knob is one of the highest points in Virginia, on the Augusta County and Pendleton County, West Virginia line. A paved road reaches the summit, so most visitors come for the view rather than the walk. A steel fire tower stood on the summit from the 1920s to 1975.

Bearfence Mountain (Shenandoah National Park)

Difficulty: Challenging (rock scramble) | Trailhead: Skyline Drive, mile 56.4

A scramble over rock and boulders to 360-degree views. Pets are not allowed on the Bearfence trails. The same parking area serves an easier viewpoint hike with a view of the Shenandoah Valley, and no scramble is required.

Hone Quarry Falls and Hidden Rocks

Distance: Hone Quarry Falls about 4.3 to 5 miles, Hidden Rocks about 2.3 to 3.3 miles | Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

These two hikes are in the George Washington National Forest west of Harrisonburg. One guide describes Hone Quarry Falls as a roughly 25-foot waterfall. Hidden Rocks follows Rocky Run and has a small pool and waterfall. Past the point where FR 62 narrows, the road requires a high-clearance vehicle, and a 2019 hiker reported high water at Rocky Run. Check conditions with the Forest Service first.

North River Gorge Trail

Distance: About 4.5 miles one way | Difficulty: Challenging

This trail follows the North River and crosses it several times. Sources disagree on the count, which is eight or nine fords. You need a car shuttle or a turnaround point. Late summer and early fall are the best times, when water levels are lower.

A Note for People Moving to the Shenandoah Valley

If you’re weighing a move, the hikes above are one reason many people look at the Shenandoah Valley. You can see the full range of neighborhoods around Harrisonburg on our site, and The Valley Homes Team can help you compare areas. For a budget view, read our cost-to-buy guide.

Hit the Trail

Start with Friendly City Trail or Lake Shenandoah if you’re new to hiking here. When you’re ready for elevation, Kaylors Knob and Dark Hollow Falls are good next steps. For a meal after your hike, see The Best Restaurants in Harrisonburg VA.