Shenandoah National Park

by Johnny Molloy

Published 15 January 2011

Hike, backpack, bring the kids--there's a trail for you in Shenandoah.

With its roaring waterfalls, secluded canyons, diverse plant and animal life, and rich cultural history, Virginia's Shenandoah National Park offers boundless outdoor adventures. Now in its second edition, Top Trails: Shenandoah National Park describes the classic destinations and lesser-known jewels in 50 must-do hikes.

This updated guide by acclaimed outdoors writer Johnny Molloy offers new hikes, such as the Bearfence Mountain Rock Scramble and the remote Trayfoot Mountain Loop, that explore the heart of the park. Each trail entry includes expert commentary, easy-to-follow maps, and GPS waypoints, as well as trailhead directions, trail-feature charts, and "don't get lost" milestones. So you will always know where you're going and what to expect.

Hundreds of miles of trails run like veins through Shenandoah National Park. Save the time and frustration of finding the perfect hikes to suit you. Whether you're looking for a scenic stroll to stretch your legs, a full-day adventure, or a rewarding backpacking trip into the back of beyond, Top Trails: Shenandoah National Park puts the backcountry majesty of Shenandoah at your fingertips.


With 500,000 acres of land, it's hard to know where to start in this majestic national park. This fully updated edition of the popular guide eases the process for novice and veteran hikers alike. Comprehensive and compact, the book profiles 31 day-hikes, both one-way and loop, and 10 overnight hikes. Each profile includes a detailed description, maps and trailhead directions, and a trail summary that rates the difficulty, solitude, and scenery of each hike while outlining significant sites along the way. Destinations include the Little Greenbrier Trail to Walker Sisters Place, one of the last working pioneer homesteads in the Smokies, and the remote and stunning Hyatt Ridge Loop. Easily carried in a backpack, this book has hikes suitable for anyone who prefers vacationing on the trail rather than behind another car.