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Hike to Shamokin Falls

Lyndhurst, Virginia

4.4/5
based on 5 reviews

Details

Distance

2.2 miles

Elevation Gain

950 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jess Fischer

Tucked away on Wintergreen Resort's northern border, Shamokin Falls offers solitude, multiple waterfalls and a place to cool down on a hot summer afternoon.

Starting from the Dripping Rock Parking area at MP 10 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, head north on the white blazed Appalachian Trail (trail leading into woods from parking lot- don't cross the road). In about 20 steps the trail splits- go right. In another 20 steps or so the trail splits again but this time it's harder to catch. You'll see a make-shift campground, this is where you'll need to stop and look for the trail. You'll have to go over a log but at this point go to the right again. The trail will be flat and covered with small little rocks. In 0.1 miles you should intersect with the road Laurel Spring Drive and if you don't you've gone the wrong way. Once you get to the road, cross and go straight on the yellow blazed trail. To the left you should see a little sign with different trail names and arrows. In 0.3 miles you'll come to a side trail on your left that will be marked by a wooden sign. Take a left down this trail. It's pretty straight forward from this point on- every so often you'll see wooden signs that will let you know which way the Upper Shamokin Falls are. I will say that you really, really need to be aware of your surroundings and make sure you're following the blazes (first yellow then red). The trail isn't heavily trafficked and transverses rocks so it's easy to lose it. Once you get down to the Upper Falls you can stay here or continue another .25 miles downhill to the lower falls.

After hiking this trail I went one mile up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Ravens Roost Overlook to catch the sunset - I highly recommend doing this! 

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Features

Photography
Swimming
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Food Nearby
Forest
River
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Swimming Hole

Hike to Shamokin Falls Reviews

Good trail but there is a small scramble in the middle. Really enjoyed the hike. Just pay attention to trail signs and markers and you will have no problems following it down to the waterfall.

21f here, I loved this hike, it was my first one on my own and the trail was beautiful; definitely be aware of your surroundings because it could be easy to get off trail because of the rocks! Other than that the trail was marked perfectly, the directions given were super clear, also there were many memorable things to make it easy getting back! 10/10 would recommend

Calling this a beginner hike seems a little off to me. The trail is hard to follow, even with the directions given, after you get past the initial part. The path seems like it was washed out at spots and it is not the best marked trail. At times it is necessary to climb over very rocky areas and there are many paths that coverage with this one. I am a fairly experienced hiker but kept having to find the trail again several times. Still is a good hike but you can easily find yourself going down a different trail to other areas. If you are directionally challenged this might not be the best trail as you could have trouble getting back from going down the wrong trails.

I did this hike with a 3-year old yesterday (2/18/17). The directions are easier to follow than I expected, but you definitely need to pay attention. The trail is a little off road and you definitely couldn't take a stroller or something like that. It was a little rough for my 3-year-old's short little legs, but it wasn't very strenuous for an adult. It was a pretty much perfect day, especially for February and the falls were not too busy. Much less busy than the Humpback Rocks trail that you drive by on the way to the parking spot. I would definitely recommend this hike!

Make sure you follow Jess's directions at the begin!!! The first turn at the camp site can easily be missed, but after that the trail is very easy to follow.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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