Old Rag

The summit of Old Rag is accessible via a system of trails in Shenandoah National Park. The shorter most common way is from a parking area at the end of County Route 601 off Route 231 at the base of the mountain. A 7.1 miles (11.4 km) circuit hike or a 5.4 miles (8.7 km) out-and-back hike to the summit can be made. The circuit hike makes use of the Ridge Trail which ascends the mountain 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to the first false summit. The trail then turns into a rock scramble, which can be strenuous for inexperienced hikers, for 1.1 miles (1.8 km) to the summit and intersection with the Saddle Trail which descends 1.9 miles (3.1 km) down the saddle of the ridge past Byrds Nest #1 shelter and Old Rag shelter to the junction with Weakley Hollow Fire Road. The Fire Road then descends 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the Old Rag parking area . Likewise the summit can be reached from Skyline Drive by following Old Rag Fire Road from the drive at milepost 43 to its eastern terminus with the Saddle Trail and then follow that trail to the summit.^[4]

Nearby hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway also includes such destinations as Humpback Rock, and Bald Mountain.

Water (required), food, hiking boots are strongly encouraged.  This is *not* an easy hike.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Rag_Mountain

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/old_rag.htm