Submitted by Chris on Wed, 05/15/2024 - 00:27

Skyline Drive picks up where the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway ends in Waynesboro, Virginia, and carries on 105 miles to Front Royal, Virginia, all through Shenandoah National Park.

I have driven near Skyline Drive several times over the years, usually en route or returning from a more southern destination, and have always wanted to stop and explore but never had the time to actually do so. Luckily, that finally changed!

There are plenty of overlooks and endless hiking options (including along the Appalachian Trail), waterfalls, a couple of visitor centers and more.

Pre-Skyline-Drive Stop: Humpback Rocks

I planned to begin from the southern end of Skyline Drive via Waynesboro and work my way north. To set myself up for an easy start, I planned to spend the night in Charlottesville, Virginia about 25 minutes from Waynesboro. Since I still had a little bit of time before sunset on my travel day, I couldn't resist checking out the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and, specifically, Humpback Rock, which has been on my want-to-see list for a few years! It did not disappoint! A very steep 0.8-mile trail, which took me 20+ minutes at full hustle, led to this overlook.

There are so many little details in a place like this.

1st Skyline Drive Stop: Blackrock Summit

Blackrock Summit was the first hike I did along Skyline Drive and the easiest as well. The trail is just a mile round trip with little elevation gain and includes a segment of Appalachian Trail.

The rock field vista combined with the mountainous backdrop make Blackrock Summit really cool! Also, it was probably the spot that exceeded expectations most compared to photos and videos I saw online beforehand. The in-person experience was significantly better on this one.

Big Meadows Visitor Center

Of the places I wish I spent more time, the Big Meadows Visitor Center is at the top. This spot has some nature trails and a lot information of the construction and history of Skyline Drive. They did a nice job with this exhibit and I wish I had more time to devote to it. In a place like Shenandoah, you're always feeling short on time, and this Visitor Center took a brutal hit as a result. There was also a video in a theater, a gift shop and restrooms.

Dark Hollow Falls

By far, the most popular Skyline Drive stop was at Dark Hollow Falls, which also resulted in one of my favorite photos of the entire experience! I don’t often have people in my photos, but Dark Hollow Falls was so popular it was difficult to exclude them in my shots. This one worked out great though — it reminds me that people can enhance a scene and add perspective that would otherwise be missing.

This is just one portion of a series of several waterfalls that make up the 1.4 mile hike. The tallest, which I believe is this one, is 70 feet, but they’re all quite pretty individually!

Further down the Dark Hollow Falls trail, the waterfalls get much more narrow as you go.

For the purposes of the Falls hike, it’s one trail in and out. After this you have to turn around and climb back up the trail, which quickly reminds you how far you hiked down.

Hawksbill Summit

4,050 feet! The highest peak in all of Shenandoah National Park is here at Hawksbill Summit! Given that fact, this is a popular trail, but I was lucky to be the only one when I went late in the day. This felt like the most quiet and vast part of the entire Skyline Drive.

Skyland

Skyland is an amazing spot just off Skyline Drive, offering cabins, a restaurant and pub, a gift shop and more.

I first noticed Skyland on Google Maps a few years ago and have always been interested in checking it out. It seems like an incredible place to spend the night or have a meal.

Someday soon, I'd love to do the nearby Old Rag Mountain hike -- allegedly one of the best hikes the East Coast has to offer -- and spend the night here.

Little Stony Man & Overlooks

Little Stony Man summit is a popular hiking destination off of Skyline Drive. I parked just off Skyline Drive and within 15 - 20 minutes, I was at Little Stony Man and the views do not disappoint! It is also essentially trivial, maybe 10 more minutes, to hike further up to a set of overlooks that offer more views. While there is definitely some elevation gain, both are relatively easy hikes and you get a great return on investment.

From here, the determined hiker can carry on to Stony Man summit, which is the 2nd highest peak in the park.

Please do not ride your horse to the edge of the 2nd highest peak in the park.

Stony Man Summit

Stony Man summit was the final hike and overlook of my Skyline Drive explorations, just before sunset. After Hawksbill Summit, this is the second highest peak at 4,011 feet. Clouds had rolled in but the view certainly did not disappoint!

In the distance, you can see Skyline Drive winding through the mountains and it really adds perspective to the entire experience.

The hiking route I took to the summit was possibly the most difficult of the day, with more than 800 feet of elevation gain. I had read a lot of reviews that this is an easy hike and later learned there’s a much easier trail to the summit from the nearby Skyland resort. I guess that explains it. It was worth it any case!

My overall opinion is: Stony Man summit is awesome! But also 2-3 times more time and effort. My personal feeling is that Little Stony Man provides such a great value that it is not 100% necessary to make it to Stony Man if you’re short on time and energy which, in a big and beautiful park like Shenandoah, you probably are!

Accommodations & Other Points of Interest Along the Way

Charlottesville, Virginia

As mentioned, I spent the night prior to my Shenandoah explorations in Charlottesville, Virginia.

This was a strategic pick; The town is about 25 minutes south and east of the southern start of Skyline Drive, home to a beautiful historic main street, the University of Virginia, and a number of food, drink and live music establishments that piqued my interest.

I didn't have a lot of time to explore but I had a chance to wander the main street and check out some live jazz at Miller's. Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint was also a cool spot.

Overall, this town had an eccentric and somewhat hippy vibe. I was saddened some stores in the historic area were out of business and shuttered. It's a really beauitful area and I enjoyed my time here. I wish I had a chance to check out UVA, but I just didn't have enough time to get there.

Basic City Beer Co.

Basic City Beer Co. is located directly in the town of Waynesboro where the Blue Ridge Parkway ends and Skyline Drive begins.

This place has been starred on my Google Maps for years because I knew I'd end up in this area some day -- in addition to being a brewery, it is also a live music venue -- Two of my favorite things combined!

I couldn't resist visiting the night before my Skyline Drive explorations and made the drive over. It exceeded expectations -- it is a phenomenal place! The industrial warehouse vibe is really cool and the live music space is completely legitimate. What a resource and service this place provides to the area! I hope to make it back someday when I have more time.

Tommy's Pizza - Gettysburg PA

25+ years I've been waiting to visit Tommy's Pizza. We drove by here when I was a kid visiting Gettysburg. My uncle began chanting "Tommy's Pizza...slice and a coke!".

Unfortunately, the pizza protest did not result in the driver, my other uncle, stopping, and we blew past, hungry and sad. I never forgot this.

This year, 37 years old, I finally visited for a slice...

And truly, it was excellent. I'm even more sad now we didn't stop 25 years ago, because this slice is that good.

I finally feel some peace and closure, but I hope to be back again some day.

Skyline Drive: 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (2024)