Shenandoah Central

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Whiteoak Canyon Area | Shenandoah National Park 2017 P Whiteoak Canyon Trail Old Rag Fire Road 1 P Co rb Skyland Stables Trail MP Limberlost Trail Map Inset l rai nT Ru Thorofare Mountain Overlook 42 Whiteoak Canyon Parking an di In MP Skyland 0 untain Trail Mo in LD FEET 1500 1000 Lim be rl R A G F I R E ROAD o it e Trail Horse dows Mea oa Robertson Mountain Trail k an C Trail lost ber Lim il Tra yon Can ak iteo Wh Wh 43 2 44 Crescent Rock Overlook yo l eR oad Whiteoak Crossing Map Inset Fir 0 2 225 450 METERS FEET 1500 ny Ca k 0 375 750 1000 te W hit kC yo n 0 0 ak eo 600 hi t Whiteoak Cany on F ire Ro ad il W P Paved Road Skyline Drive Park Boundary Stream P Parking Building ra T North Hiking Trail Hiking Trail (Appalachian Trail) Hiking Trail (Horses) Unpaved Road Unpaved Road (Horses) Trail rse s Ho an Tr Whiteoak-Cedar Run Link Trail Whiteoak Boundary Parking ow ad Me eoa un rR da Ce ai l g -Bi nd Skyla hi rail Wh nT iteoak C a n yo W MP 46 Tr a i oa Hawksbill Gap Parking n rlost Trail Limbe on 45 P 750 MP MP MP O 450 METERS il Tra st Limberlost Trail 375 P Corbin Hollow Trail -Big land Sky Timber Hollow Overlook 225 0 43 1 Ca ny on Tra il 1 Kilometer 1 Mile Waterfall Emergency 1-800-732-0911 • Information 540-999-3500 • Online www.nps.gov/shen Skyline Drive to Upper Falls Hike 4.6-mile round trip 3½-hrs hiking time Moderate 1,040-ft elevation gain Markers & Blazes Trail markers are at trailheads and intersections. The metal bands are stamped with directional and mileage information. From the Whiteoak Canyon parking area (mile 42.6), follow the Whiteoak Canyon Trail and stay on this trail as you pass the junctions for the Old Rag Fire Road and the Limberlost Trail. About 2.3 miles from the start you will come to a rocky ledge that offers an excellent view of the upper falls. Retrace your steps to return to the parking lot. Remember that the return trip will be very steep. Trail blazes are found on trees and rocks throughout the Park. The color identifies the trail type: Blue - Hiking trail White - Appalachian Trail Yellow - Open to horses Cedar Run - Whiteoak Circuit Hike 7.3-mile circuit 6¼-hrs hiking time Very strenuous 2,794-ft elevation gain From Hawksbill Gap parking (mile 45.6), take Cedar Run Trail, then left on the Link Trail, and left on Whiteoak Canyon Trail. Just after the upper falls, go left on the Whiteoak Canyon Fire Road/Horse Trail (see inset #2 for a map of this last intersection). If the water is up, use the pedestrian bridge above the falls. Need to Know ■ ■ ■ Boundary to Lower Falls Hike 2-mile round trip 1½-hrs hiking time Easiest 500-ft elevation gain From the parking area located at the Park boundary (directions below), begin at Whiteoak Canyon Trail and keep right at the intersection with Cedar Run Trail. Cross a small stream and arrive shortly at the base of the lower falls. Return by the same route. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Directions to Boundary Trailhead From Sperryville - Follow Route 211 to Route 522 south for 0.8 mile. Turn right on Route 231, follow 10.2 miles to Etlan, turn right on Route 643. Follow for 4.5 miles and turn right onto Route 600. Proceed 3.5 miles to the parking area. From Madison - Route 29 Business, take 231 north for 5.6 miles to Route 670 at Banco. Continue 3.6 miles to Route 643 in Syria. Follow 0.8 mile on Route 643 to Route 600. Continue on Route 600 to the parking area. It’s dangerous and potentially deadly to climb on the rocks near waterfalls. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6’ at all times. Do not attempt to cross streams during icy conditions or flooding. Be sure you are physically able to complete the hike you’ve chosen. Take plenty of water - at least a quart per hour. When you return from your hike, check for ticks. Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect your return. There is no public transportation on Skyline Drive or at the Whiteoak boundary trailhead. Good to Know ■ ■ Even if you are hiking from the boundary, you must have an entrance permit or annual pass. Please be prepared to self-pay (correct change or credit card) at the boundary trailhead. Backcountry camping sites are very limited in this area, so be prepared to go to a different area in the Park to camp, especially on weekends. Be sure you have a backcountry camping permit and that you understand the regulations, particularly those pertaining to site choice. Hiking Difficulty Scale Easiest: Generally suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. Mostly level or with a slight incline. Generally less than 3 miles. Moderate: A moderate hike generally suitable for novice hikers seeking a bit of a challenge. The terrain will involve a moderate incline and may have some steeper sections. Generally 3 to 5 miles. Moderately Strenuous: Generally challenging for an unconditioned person. The terrain will involve a steady and often steep incline. Generally 5 to 8 miles. Strenuous: Will challenge most hikers. The hike will generally be longer and steeper, but may be deemed strenuous because of the elevation gain. Generally 7 to 10 miles. Very Strenuous: Only well-conditioned and well-prepared hikers should attempt. Generally long and steep, and may include rock scrambling, stream crossings, and other challenging terrain. Generally 8 miles and over. Trail maintenance and map funded by recreation fee dollars.