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It’s a challenging 9 mile hike but thousands of people do it each year. The rock scramble (think hands and knees and shimmying over/under/around rocks) is tough but with teamwork, I’m sure we can get everyone up.
No specialized equipment is needed other than a backpack, water, and snacks. You don’t even need hiking boots, though it’s recommended.
“Old Rag is Shenandoah’s most popular and most dangerous hike. The number of blogs and websites about this hike attests to its popularity. The number of search and rescue missions each year attests to its danger. There’s no doubt that the scramble is great fun and the views are spectacular. A day on Old Rag is one of Shenandoah’s premier experiences.”
What's the cost? Free! I'll drive the church van and pay for the park pass so there's no real cost for you. Although I'm sure we'll want to stop somewhere to eat on the way home so bring money for that.
How long will this take? We'll be leaving the church parking lot at 5:00 AM. It takes 3-4 hours to get there and then the hike itself is anywhere from 3-8 hours depending on our pace.
What fitness level is required? As long as you're ok with a long uphill walk and high heart rate and "scrambling" over rocks, you should be good to go. There are some cave like sections too but they aren't too tight or anything if you're claustrophobic. Again, it's around 9 miles total on varying terrain so be prepared for that.
If you have any questions or concerns at all, let me know!
- Mike
Additional Info
Here's a great little video that shows first hand what it's like getting to the top:
Looking to prepare for Old Rag? Check out this post from the National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/old-rag-hike-prep.htm (pay special attention to the "Planning Your Visit” section)