A VERY Strenuous and Fast Paced 13.2 Mile SNP Hike! Old Rag and Robertson Moutain!
This is a Buttkicker Hike!

Are you ready to climb some serious elevation gain in a day hike? Well then, look no further because here it is!! And if you are up for it you can join us for a post hike meal too. Come on out and get your butt kicked on this wicked autumn hike! This hike is twice the miliage and at least double the elevation change than Old Rag alone!!

We have combined these two mountains, Old Rag and Robertson, to come up with a very strenuous circuit hike. This hike uses multiple trails and some fire road and is NOT for the faint of heart.

Overlooking Old Rag Mountain, the Robertson Mountain hike has one of the steepest trails in the central section of the Shenandoah National Park, with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet in just over 1.5 miles.

Regarding Old Rag, once at the summit the view is spectacular and panoramic.

You will climb through caves, between fissures, around balancing rocks, and up a natural staircase.

"The rocks of Old Rag are among Shenandoah National Park's oldest. Billions of years ago, the granite that forms the crest of Old Rag was thousands of feet underground. With time, the rocks uplifted to the point where they now perch atop this 3,268--foot mountain. At the same time, the igneous rock that once surrounded today's boulders eroded and exposed them. Seeing these rocks, shrouded in all the various weather conditions is one of the reward of hiking to the summit of Old Rag. Another reward includes completing a quick self-taught course in "rock scrambling 101" as you scramble over and under boulders. The first 2/3 of the hike is on a trail through the trees, while the upper part is open and rocky with rock scrambling up to the summit

Hike Pace

This hike will be lead at a moderate pace.

Trail Information
Nearby City: Sperryville
Length: 13.2 total miles
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Very strenuous due to overall length, technical features, and pace.
Trailhead Elev:
Elevation Gain:
Elevation at Summit:
Highlights: Mile long rock scramble and vistas
Wildlife: Deer, foxes, black bears, skunks, and bobcats

Trail Notes for Leaders

Weather Information
Click here to see the trail forecast. We hike, rain, shine, or snow but gear requirements change depending on the forecast PLEASE check here before heading out for this hike if the weather is questionable. I will send a confirmation or cancellation the day prior to the hike as well.

Carpool Information
There are 2 carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.

DC Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, meetup at the Centerville Park and Ride. Click here for information and directions to the Centerville location. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling wih other members.

If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!

Directions to the Trailhead
Click here for directions to where we meet for this hike.

Hike is at 7:15 a.m.

Carpool time from Savage Station is 4:50 a.m.

Carpool time from Centerville Park and Ride is 5:45 a.m.

Fido is NOT Welcome on This Hike

Brian: [masked]