Looking for a short & sweet Shenandoah day hike? You can’t beat the views from Stony Man Summit and Little Stony Man Cliffs.

Stony Man offers breathtaking views of the Massanutten Mountain Range and Shenandoah Valley. No wonder it’s one of the most popular hikes in Shenandoah’s Central District!

Hike Little Stony Man to enjoy similar views of Luray, Virginia. The lower elevation makes it easy to see Skyline Drive winding through the mountains.

The best part of the hike happens when the view suddenly opens up in front of you. After walking through shady woods, the overlook appears like a doorway to a new world. 

This guide shows you how to hike both Stony Man and Little Stony Man, plus two ways to loop them together.

 

Navigating Shenandoah National Park

Skyline Drive runs through Shenandoah, making it easy to find hikes along the way. Locate most trailheads by their nearest Skyline Drive mile marker. 

Shenandoah National Park requires an entrance fee of $30 per vehicle. Buy an entrance pass online or at any of the entrance stations. Veterans and military members can visit for free with an annual Military Pass.

 

Stony Man

1.6 mile loop | 340 ft. elevation gain  

At 4,011 ft. elevation, Stony Man sits as the second highest peak in Shenandoah National Park. Despite its height, Stony Man Trail is an easy 1.6 mile loop with only 340 ft. elevation gain. 

Find the Stony Man hike at Skyline Drive mile 41.7 and park at the trailhead. Start on the Appalachian Trail, then follow the blue trail blazes up to the viewpoint. Continue along the Stony Man Trail back to the A.T. to return to the parking lot. 

Please keep in mind that pets are not allowed on this hike. 

 

Little Stony Man

 0.9 mile out & back | 337 ft. elevation gain 

For a shorter, dog-friendly option, check out Little Stony Man Cliffs. Little Stony Man is an easy 0.9 mile out and back with 337 ft. elevation gain.

This trail doubles as a popular rock climbing destination, so look out for any climbers!

Find the Little Stony Man hike at Skyline Drive mile 39.1 and park at the trailhead. Follow the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail until you reach the viewpoint. 

Although you can bring pets on this hike, please remember to pack out any waste. 

 

Loop Them Together

Looking for more of a challenge? You can’t beat these two-for-one loops. 

Stony Man via Appalachian Trail

3.1 mile loop | 833 ft. elevation gain 

Start this loop at the Little Stony Man Trailhead (mile 39.1 on Skyline Drive). Hike up to Little Stony Man Cliffs, then follow the Appalachian Trail to the summit.

Near the top, turn onto the blue blazes of the Stony Man Trail. After enjoying the views, loop back to the A.T. and return to the parking lot. 

Stony Man via Passamaquoddy Trail

3.7 mile loop | 860 ft. elevation gain 

Park at the Stony Man Trailhead (mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive). Hike to Stony Man Summit, then follow the Appalachian Trail towards Little Stony Man. Continue along the A.T. for a short distance, then turn onto the blue blazed Passamaquoddy Trail. 

This trail brings you around the Little Stony Man cliff face. Hike around the mountain until you reach the junction of Furnace Spring Road. Turn left to follow the yellow blazes back to the parking lot. 

Both trails allow dogs except on Stony Man Summit. Skip the side loop to the summit if hiking with pets. 

 

Weather & Other Notes

Try to avoid hiking this trail on a hazy day. You’ll definitely want to see the view!

Both hikes are popular so make sure to arrive early! The Little Stony Man parking lot doesn’t have many spots, but we didn’t have an issue parking on a weekday. 

As always, please follow Leave No Trace guidelines when visiting the outdoors.

Have you hiked this trail before? Tell us about your adventures in the comments below!

 

 

Disclaimer: Only YOU know your limits and experience level. Please approach these hikes with caution. Refer to our Disclaimer for more information.