Humpback Rocks Loop via Appalachian Trail(edit)

Overview

This is a very popular loop trail in Blue Ridge Parkway featuring a great 270 degree vista.

This trail goes by Humpback Rocks.

Getting Started

Parking is at the trailhead just south of the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 5.8. This lot is often overflowing with cars, so note that it is also possible to park at the Visitor Center and walk south a short distance to the trailhead. Hiking this trail early in the day or during the week is advised, but even then solitude is limited. From the parking lot, you can look up to see the rock and often see people on top of the rock.

Most hikers take the direct route to the Rock, starting behind the kiosk. The kiosk has a map of the loop. The direct route is very steep in spots and sections can be wet or icy. The trail itself suffers from overuse, as there are deep channels in the trail from erosion and some steps, designed as checkdams, require a large step to climb.

Some maps show a shorter, steeper route to the top, but that trail has been closed by the National Park Service for at least 20 years. Do not attempt as using that trail encourages erosion.

The actual trail climbs for 0.8 miles to a T intersection. Take the left to follow the trail out to the outcrop for views of the area, including north into Shenandoah National Park. Parents should keep a close eye on small children, as there is a long drop off of the rock. The rock is large enough to accommodate a large number of people.

To continue on the loop, retrace your steps to the T intersection, and continue straight 0.5 mile to an intersection with the Appalachian Trail. (Up until this point, you have been following an older alignment of the Appalachian Trail. The section you are about to hike was built around 2002.) Take a left onto the A.T., which takes you downhill and northbound. The A.T. drops down via a series of switchbacks, passing a spring, until it reaches the old Howardsville Turnpike, about 3.3 miles into the hike. The Turnpike is no longer used for cars and was used in the 1800's to take people and goods to the James River at Howardsville, Virginia, where boats floated downstream to Richmond. The A.T. uses the old roadbed for a short distance before coming to a sign directing hikers back to the Humpback Rocks parking lot.

Continue straight, leaving the Appalachian Trail and following the blue blazed old turnpike bed. The trail climbs somewhat to reach the parking lot, which you reach 4.1 miles into the hike.

Taking Children

At 4.1 miles length, this is a loop that many young children can accomplish. It is easier to follow it clockwise, which has hikers descending at first directly behind the middle of the parking lot, to intersect with the Appalachian Trail and taking that southbound to the summit. But many families go counter-clockwise, and the parents struggle with the climb more than the children! Parents with small children must be vigilent at the rock vista, as there are no guardrails and the drop is significant. For children younger than 5, this loop would be a 4 due to the danger at the vista. For children 5-10, it is rated a 7, and for teens the loop is a 9.