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Bearfence Loop Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult
 4.8 (32) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  1. Areas
  2. VA
  3. …Shenandoah Valley
  4. …Shenandoah National Park
  5. Central District

“A short trail with moderately hard rock scrambles, but great views! ”

Ben Stockdon
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Map Key

1.1

Miles

1.8

KM

Out and Back

3,578' 1,091 m

High

3,356' 1,023 m

Low

232' 71 m

Up

232' 71 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly A lot of fun for the kids to climb the rocks and short enough that it won't lose their attention.

Overview

Though this trail will lead you past several false summits, be sure to hold out and continue to press on for the real thing. The 360-degree views are well worth the moderate climb required to reach the summit.

Description

As you pull into the parking lot look across the road for the trailhead. This trail has many different side trails branching off of it. This can make it important to remember how to get back, but can also lead to exploring so many other trails at the same time. If you are worried about getting lost, just be sure to use the Hiking Project mobile app to help navigate.

The trail is well marked and as you get about halfway in, the rock scrambles begin. Having a shoe with some good sticky rubber for traction is great here. Some light climbing is involved in the rock scrambles, and you can even boulder a few spots along the trail. In the winter, this trail has a good chance for ice and snow.

Make sure to sit on top of one of the rocks and have a bite to eat while enjoying the amazing views all around you. This is one of the best trails in the park for sunrise/sunset views. It is short enough to get you to a great view while still being enough of a challenge to be rewarding.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Shenandoah National Park

Shared By:

Ben Stockdon
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 32 votes

#5

in Central District

#238

Overall
  4.8 from 32 votes
5 Star
78%
4 Star
19%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#5

in Central District

#10

in Virginia

#238

Overall
101 Views Last Month
2,402 Since Dec 1, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
30%
4%
67%
0%
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Photos

Sunset view from atop Bearfence.
May 25, 2016 near Stanley, VA

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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All Clear 22 hours ago See History
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Check-Ins

Jul 16, 2020
Jordan Conville
Jun 29, 2020
JK161 k161
Nov 3, 2019
Michael Podguski
Great rock scrambles. Will really get the blood pumping and has magnificent views of the valleys on both sides of SNP. Absolutely breathtaking. 1.1mi — 1h 01m
Oct 31, 2019
Hannah Hood
Great rock scrambling but hazardous in wet weather.. very slippy. — 10h 00m
Oct 31, 2019
Miranda Kinder
Sep 11, 2019
Ryan Joseph
1mi — 0h 40m
Aug 10, 2019
Keith Welch
Moderately difficult trail with great scrambles to amazing views of Shenandoah. 1.1mi — 3h 00m
Aug 2, 2019
Andrew Nealis
Hiked up around 7. Sun was going down. Amazing. The rock scramble was very fun. There's a view point on the scramble that I loved. 1mi — 1h 15m

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