Thing to Do

Chimney Rock

A color photograph of a woman sitting on a rock atop a mountain looking to the side.

An out-and-back hike to Chimney Rock, an excellent viewpoint with some very interesting geological features.


Distance: 3.4-mile circuit hike
Difficulty: Moderate (explanation of our hiking difficulty scale)
Hiking Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Elevation Gain: 830 feet


Hike Description

  1.  From the Riprap Parking Area (mile 90), take the Appalachian Trail north.
  2. Turn left onto the Riprap Trail.
  3. After a series of switchbacks, you’ll see a viewpoint on your right. Further on, you’ll see Calvary Rocks on left, and then, where the trail makes a sharp left, Chimney Rock stands alone across the gorge to the right.
  4. Turn around, and retrace your steps to return to the parking area.
Details

The average hike duration does not take into consideration fitness, exploration, rest, contemplation, etc.

Activity
Hiking

Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.

An entrance fee is required to get into Shenandoah National Park.

The trailhead for this hike is located at the Riprap parking area.

Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Accessibility Information

This trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines.

Shenandoah National Park

Map of roads and trails around the Riprap area

Download the trail map
Click the image to download the trail map. Print it out at home or save it to your phone to take with you on your hike.

Last updated: May 24, 2021