Old Rag
One summit, two trailheads, fifty minutes apart by road.
Madison County
Old Rag's main parking lot is closed through November
Construction closed the main Old Rag lot on Nethers Road on May 4, 2026. NPS expects the work to finish by November 2026. Use the Nethers Road overflow lots or the Berry Hollow lot on the Syria side.
Old Rag needs a $2 day-use ticket through November 30
Everyone on the Ridge, Saddle and Ridge Access trails needs a day-use ticket bought in advance on Recreation.gov, plus a park entrance pass. 400 tickets a day are released 30 days ahead and 400 five days ahead. A ticket does not reserve parking.
Old Rag is Shenandoah's best-known hike and the one most often planned wrong. Its two trailheads sit on opposite sides of the mountain: the Nethers lots on the east for the Ridge Trail and the full circuit, and the small Berry Hollow lot on the west for the Saddle Trail.
They are about three miles apart in a straight line and close to fifty minutes apart by road. Choose the trailhead first, then the place to stay.
Hikes
Places to stay
Drive time to the trailhead. Open a stay for drive times to every trailhead.
Unclaimed
Hopkins Ordinary
25min to the trailhead
Unclaimed
Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges
33min to the trailhead
Unclaimed
The Inn at Little Washington
34min to the trailhead
Host verified
Birch's Library
50min to the trailhead
Unclaimed
Skyland
1 hr 4 minto the trailhead
Places
- Old Rag summit
A granite summit east of the main Blue Ridge, reached from Nethers on the east or Berry Hollow on the west.
- DuCard Vineyards
A small winery in Etlan with a terrace facing the Blue Ridge and music on many weekends.
- Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges
A working farm in Syria with a market and deli, the Farmhouse Restaurant, lodging and seasonal festivals.
- The Black Twig
A diner and bar on Lee Highway in Sperryville, open daily for lunch and dinner with weekend brunch.