Name: Climbing the Priest
Rating: 4.3

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Overview

Strong hikers will enjoy the challenge of this climb and the views from the rock outcrops. Families or groups with slower members can set the first overview as a goal for the day.

Description

This trail is likely the most strenuous outing on the section of the AT maintained by the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club ( AT: Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club). The hike starts from the parking area on VA-56 beside the Tye River.

Sustained steep climbs and descents combined with the rocky and rooted nature of the trail make this route a bit difficult to negotiate. The challenges are well-rewarded however! There are rocky overlooks on the southeast down into the Tye River Valley and northwest from the summit of the Priest.

If making the return journey in the same day sounds like a bit much, there is a shelter located near the summit of the Priest.

Contacts

Local Club: Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (NBATC)

Land Manager: USFS - George Washington & Jefferson National Forests

Shared By:

John Phillips

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.3 from 22 votes

#2

in George Washington National Forest

#771

Overall

4.3 from 22 votes

5 Star		50%
4 Star		27%
3 Star		23%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in George Washington Nati…

#29

in Virginia

#771

Overall

55 Views Last Month

10,595 Since Jan 27, 2017

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Photos

This rock overlook offers great views of the Tye River Valley to the southeast.

Jan 28, 2017 near Nellysford, VA

A beautiful bridge crosses the Tye River along the AT.

Jun 27, 2017 near Nellysford, VA

1 Comment

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Oct 8, 2022

Joe Pollard

Aug 14, 2021

Will Heinle

Went ahead to the shelter with two SoBo thru hikers. The terrain is characteristic of the region but the consistent steepness makes it difficult 10.2mi

Jul 22, 2020

Ileana Gonzalez

6h 30m

Jul 7, 2020

Helena S

Mar 21, 2020

Maddie McElfresh

Jul 17, 2019

Thaddeus W

Went for sunrise, took 2h hiking fast to get to a nice viewpoint off the trail to the right a little past the high point — 4h 00m

Jun 13, 2019

Joy Granados

Climbing down the priest about 3,000 ft in 12 miles 5mi — 3h 30m

Dec 18, 2018

Mike Dickerson

10h 13m

Aug 28, 2018

Andrew Lilly

Strenuous 4.5 mile climb to a very nice viewpoint. Straight up, straight down. 9.1mi — 4h 30m

Aug 23, 2018

John Scrivani

Nice August weather. Great trail even with steep ascent. Limited view at summit 9mi

Jun 10, 2018

Imogen Bradbury

9.1mi

May 26, 2018

James Ortmann

Rain, deteriorating trail conditions, and a spoked dig turned us back before the summit. 5.4mi

Apr 18, 2018

John Glockner

9.4mi — 8h 00m

Jan 20, 2018

Chris R

9.1mi

Nearby Recommended Routes

A rock overlook offers gorgeous summit views of the Priest Wilderness looking north.

The Priest from Crabtree Meadows

4.6 mi 7.4 km • 1,172' Up 357.23 m Up • 1,173' Down 357.51 m Down

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The views keep getting better and better the higher you climb along the Three Ridges Trail.

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View of Shenandoah Valley from Calvary Rocks.

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9.7 mi 15.7 km • 1,891' Up 576.42 m Up • 1,891' Down 576.3 m Down

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A river crossing on South Fork Moormans River Road (particularly high water!)

Blue Hole Out-and-Back

3.0 mi 4.8 km • 309' Up 94.26 m Up • 309' Down 94.13 m Down

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Climbing the Priest

“An eight-mile, out-and-back hike following the Appalachian Trail as it climbs over 3,000 ft to the summit of the Priest. ”

8.2

13.1

Out and Back

4,090' 1,247 m

997' 304 m

3,092' 942 m

3,093' 943 m

14%

41%

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Know This Trail?

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

Overview

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#2

#771

#2

#29

#771

Photos

1 Comment

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

The Priest from Crabtree Meadows

Three Ridges Loop Trail

Sherando Recreation Area Loop

Cole (Cold) Mountain Loop

Riprap Hollow

Blue Hole Out-and-Back

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