Old Rag: the iconic mountain nestled on the eastern outskirts of Shenandoah National Park. There are literally hundreds of blog posts about this popular and slightly dangerous hike – a trek laden with switchbacks, rock scrambles, and incredible panoramic views. Why add another voice into the interweb’s blend of tips, tricks, and opinions about Old Rag?

Why not.

I’ve hiked Old Rag a couple of times in various seasons and figured that an overview à la Park Pilgrim style would be useful. It also gives me a chance to share some recent photos and expound on the reasons why I like Old Rag (and also perhaps why it may be over-hyped).

Let us begin.

Length: 9.2 miles from parking lot

Elevation Gain: 2,380 feet

Level of Difficulty: Very strenuous

Fee: $30 or use your America the Beautiful national park annual pass!

(click here to access more information from the nps site)

1. Choose an Optimum Time

Last week I decided to take advantage of this mild winter weather and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to hike Old Rag. It was a rainy December Monday morning, yet there was a promise of sunshine around noon. If I had to give one solid piece of advice to all you would-be-Old-Rag-hikers, it’s this: avoid the crowds. Your experience will be so much more delightful if you don’t have to wait in lines during rock scramble moments. Try to go mid-week on a non-holiday if at all possible. I’ve also done Old Rag in the fall, starting at 6:30 am on a Saturday before hoards of people showed up. However you make it happen, your 9.2 mile traipse will feel more satisfying if there aren’t a ridiculous amount of human beings surrounding you on all sides.

Got it? Good.

 2. Choose your Hiking Buddy (or not)

I prefer to hike alone. I’m quite confident in my ability to maneuver through boulder fields, yet recommend that you consider taking another hiker with you during your first time. Why? Having a partner to give you a hand up or spot you on a tricky section can make everything feel a little smoother. I’ve heard from friends that they enjoy the teamwork aspect of doing the rock scramble portion of the hike.

3. Don’t Push Yourself (too much)

This is a tough one. I tend to overdo it at times and sometimes pay the price afterwards. I don’t suggest hiking while you’ve got a head cold, or while your knee is recovering from a climbing strain. You’ll need to be feeling strong and operating at full athletic capacity! That being said, you will need to exert energy throughout the hike and may feel a little sore afterwards. (My triceps usually feel it from palming the rock and lowering myself down). The National Park Service estimates a 7-8 hour hiking time, but this can be shorter or longer based on fitness level and overall trail busyness. Feeling like you have to rush is never fun, so make good decisions regarding daylight and start time.

Concluding thoughts: Old Rag is a fun, challenging hike that is easily accessible from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Because it’s close to home, Old Rag has a special place in my heart, yet it doesn’t hold a candle to some of the awesome summit hikes I did out West. So yes, perhaps it may be a teensy bit overrated, but for the mid-Atlantic region, it’s pretty darn cool!

If you’re interested in a more step-by-step overview of Old Rag, click here or here.

If you’re interested in reading about hiking Old Rag with kiddos, click here.

If you’re inspired to go out and hike (or re-hike) this classic trail, lace up your hiking boots and get out there!