Stony Man Mountain Hike Reviews

We are in our early 60’s and at first was a little hesitant. We did it and well worth it. Took about 1 1/2 hrs. Incline with some narrow passages on the way up so we took a few second brakes. A must do trail hike in Shenandoah!

You'll definitely want to make this short hike from the paved parking area to the highest trailhead along Skyland Drive. At 4011 feet elevation, you'll see the world below and only the vast sky expanse above. The trail is marked and easy for anyone in at least average condition. It's not paved so the trail is not wheelchair accessible.

Stony Man Mountain is a great and relatively easy hike to the top. Beautiful view on the West Virginia mountains in the west. With the changing leaves in the tree, the landscape is an array of beautiful color. We have been visiting Shenandoah National Park every other year for the last 30 years and Autumn at Stony Man Mountain is our favorite and an automatic must-do trail.

We started from our lodge @ skyland, which was not far to the trailhead. Total distance ( for a round trip) was 1.6 miles & it took us roughly 1 hr. The view was magnificent even in a cloudy late afternoon.

We stayed in Luray for our honeymoon and visited Stoney Man. It was so amazing! Not a difficult hike at all. We could see our cabin from the peak!

Parking lot available but small so if filled must park where available on grass. Trail easily marked & up hill climb to the top. Moderate trail with some rocks but not a hard hike. Try to pick a clear day to see the views. Not a lot of space when at top where the rocks are as everyone wants to take pics.

Beautiful vistas and great exercise. Warning, this trail is for someone with good knees. I had a difficult time due to a bad right knee but the end view was worth it. Keep close watch on your children as well.

It's only about 45 minutes from your car to the "peak" -- easy hike with a fantastic view at the end (which is perfect when it is a surprisingly chilly 35 degree day)

This home too us around 2 hours and we stopped and took photos. Really great views! Went before sunset wasn't crowded, there were a few hiking tours there too.

This trail is just right for a quick hike before dinner at the Skyland restaurant. It will provide comfortable exercise and interesting local information.

Excited to step foot on the Appalachian Trail. Moderate hike from the road to the top. When you get there you have spectacular views.
Met some men hiking the Trail all the way to Maine. Took time to stop and talk with us. Met many other friendly people while hiking.

Nice hike with a good view when you got to the top. Would have liked a little better markings of where to go if you wanted to make the loop.

This 1.5-mile loop trail to the summit of Stony Man Mountain (elevation 4,01 1 ft.) is one of Shenandoah National Park's most popular hikes -- as you'll be able to tell by the almost ever-present crowd at the top. Reminds me of the stories about traffic jams on Mt. Everest!

The hike has a lot to offer: trees, wildflowers and, at the summit, a spectacular, sweeping view of the park. Look up and see soaring birds. Look out and see the picturesque valley below Skyland resort. Look down and see the summit of Little Stony Man Mountain and, beyond, Skyline Drive snaking through the trees. This climb (340-foot gain in elevation from the parking lot) takes you above the nearby highest point on Skyline Drive itself (3,680 ft.)

Be very careful at the summit, which is a rock outcropping lacking in flat spots and positively bursting with fellow hikers. That view draws you toward it, but pick your footing very carefully.

TIPS:

* Don't confuse this hike with the hike to LITTLE Stony Man Mountain, which leaves from a small, crowded parking lot just north of here on Skyline Drive. This hike leaves from a much larger (though still crowded) parking lot at Mile Marker 41.7.

* The Stony Man Mountain hike is a loop trail, but be warned: Intersecting paths make it hard to find the loop. We didn't even realize this was a loop trail and just went up and down the same way.

* The Park Service considers this trail "Easiest" and many Trip Advisor reviewers describe it as easy, but it can be a difficult climb for senior citizens. The trail is narrow in spots, and roots and rocks make for tricky footing. That said, I saw a woman with an artificial leg make it to the top.

* There are a lot of "Stony Man" locations near here. Stony Man Overlook just to the north (elevation 3,100 ft.) offers a nice valley view. The aforementioned Little Stony Man Parking (elevation 3,215 ft.) is the trailhead for a hike to the lower Little Stony Man summit.

The best start of this hike is the Parking Lot just at the north entrance/exit to Skyland. We decided to take the "Blue Trail" [Hikers] and the "Yellow Trail" [Hikers & Horses] Trail down.
It is about a 1/2 hour trek up and another 1/2 hour back down.

The view from top is amazing.
[You also need to do "BearFence Mountain". "HumpBack Rocks" and "Mary's Rock']

We even saw a deer during our return trek.

Relatively easy walk which is rewarded with majestic views of Shenandoah Valley. Enter Shenandoah National Park, and the ranger can provide maps and directions. Convenient parking.

The Stony Man Hike is well worth your time. It is a short, easy hike with beautiful views at the summit. We entered the park at the Thornton Gap entrance and took Skyline Drive south. Park in the lot at mile marker 41.7 near the Skyland Resort. The lot is near the sign indicating the Highest Point on Drive. We hiked around 6:30 PM on 9/5/18 and would have stayed at the summit for sunset, but we didn't want to hike back in the dark given the warning signs about bears in the area. The trail is well-marked in blue, and at points you will see some white markers where it joins with the Appalachian Trail. It was quite enjoyable.

This is a pretty easy hike with only a few small parts beyond “easy.” If you can walk up 5 flights of stairs, you can do this. Pretty short and quick too. View from the top is wonderful. It’s a great way to spend 90 minutes.

Nice hike to a beautiful view! Very windy on the day we hiked it. Saw a class from a local college learning to climb and or rappel. Trail map from the Skyland office was hard to follow if you want to do a loop.

We enjoyed every part of our adventure on the Stony Man Mountain hike. Parking was convenient, and the trail well marked. Elevation gain was more than do-able for a 67-year-old guy. The spectacular view at the summit is well worth any sweat you may excert. Highly recommend!

Easy hike. 7 year old got a little tired on the incline, but just took breaks. Took us about an hour or 2.

This hike is really short and really easy. It's hard to find a hike with such incredible views for such little effort. Definitely take the 30 or so minutes to do this hike!

We started this hike from the Pinnacles overlook and then up Little Stony and Stony Man. A lot of uphill but the fall weather was beautiful and at 9am there were few people on the trail. Pretty crowded near Stony Man; near Skyland the AT is closed to getting around there on trails was difficult. Beautiful trails and views all around - worth the effort.

This was an enjoyable hike, nothing too strenuous, and the view at the end is a great reward. There is plenty of shade and lots of parking.

We selected this hike because it was rated as fairly easy. I did pick up a hiking guide which I will say was very helpful in ensuring that we went the right direction. Without this $1 investment, I'm not sure the trails would have been so obvious. With that said, the hike which follows the Appalachian Trail at the beginning, was very nice, wooded and showed some different habitats. The real treat is the fantastic view of Shenandoah Valley that you are rewarded with at the end of the trail. It has plenty of places to sit and relax before tackling the downhill walk. We were highly amused by all the chipmunks we saw along the trail. Beautiful day, excellent hike.

This is an easy hike with an option for a longer loop. We went with a ranger, who stopped often and pointed out certain natural occurrences to enrich the walk. The view of the valley was spectacular, since it was a beautiful, crispy day.

This is a must! I would consider the trail going up the mountain would be okay for beginners or moderate hikers. It is rocky going up so watch your step. When you get to the top which is about 1/2 of a mile from the base, you will think that you are at the Grand Canyon! Loved it and will be back again

While at the Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park, we decided to hike up to the Stony Man Mountain Crest. This was one of the easier hikes, probably just over a mile long with some mild climbing. My daughter was adamant that I did not have the proper gear, she said I needed Hiking boots, which she had. I thought my sneakers would do just as well. It was decided that if I found it too difficult, I would stop and turn back.
As it turned out, I was the first to reach the peak, resting only twice or thrice on the way. My daughter, with her hiking boots, stumbled a few times and rested frequently. My wife kept her company.
We saw very little of wild life on the trail, except squirrels which were completely unafraid of us humans.
This is a hike I recommend for my 65+ compatriots. It might boost your ego.

This hike was a little to crowded for us, we like more solitude while hiking. Must have crossed over 50-people.

This was my favorite of 3 hikes in Shenandoah. Uphill start - downhill finish (neither too steep) beautiful overlook provided at the summit. My kids managed well and we knocked it out in less than an hour.

Worth the hike, one of the best trails for a view that's not to hard of a hike to do. It is a beautiful sunset hike to do.

This was a easy around 1 mile hike that my family did. I would suggest this to anyone. The trail does have a mainly rocky path so keep this in mind.

We chose Stony Man trail because it was short (1.6 mi round trip) and moderate. The day was beautiful. We started out mid morning and finished by noon. In early April we had the trail mostly to ourselves. On our way down we met a family with young children who seemed to be able to make the hike easily. We shared picture taking at scenic points. Very doable for the non athletic traveler.

Absolutely beautiful hike and breathtaking view...whether you take the "easy" path or longer path both are well worth it. The view at the summit is beyond words.

PROS
* Major site and hike in the Shenandoah national Park
* Great views in western direction
* Uphill (of course) but not too difficult
* Not far from Skyland Lodge, a rest and recreation area that I also visited.

CONS
There are a number of branching trails that probably all go to more or less the same place, but that is not clear

"I VISITED THIS PLACE"...
... because it is a famous hike and I was on Skyline Drive to hike as much as I can. It was a good choice and a good hike and I enjoyed it. There were always other people on these trails.

ADVICES
This would be a good choice for a two hour hike to an overlook view

This was a good first hike for my family. Pretty easy but the scenery is awesome. So peaceful and relaxing. The weather was great in the mid 70’s and sunny. We stayed at Skyland Resort in the Park for the 2nd year. I highly recommend visiting Shenandoah National Park.

Beautiful scenery, but challenging in running shoes. Very rocky, I wouldn't do it again without hiking boots.

This was a great hike with very rewarding views. Just a short hike up from the AT or parking lot, the short 0.3 side trail takes you up to the 4011 foot rocky summit of Stony Man Mountain. Gorgeous views north, west & south into the Shenandoah Valley. Our youngest (10 years old) had no problem with this hike up the mountain.

This was a perfect hike for my husband and I. Not too easy and not too difficult. The trails led to too a stoney cliff with breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley!! We're we're fortunate to go on a clear day. The view was breathtaking! I would recommend this for a moderate hike

Though it is really high up, the trail is quite easy. This made the hike with our 4 and 6 year olds a lot of fun

We did the Stony Man hike after getting something to eat for lunch at the Skyline Lodge.
It's uphill all the way but not too steep, we got to the top in about 20 min or so. I am in my 60's so had to take a few breaks. Was all worth it, the view from the top was spectacular. It was a clear day so you could see for miles and miles. Also look down on the people at Little Stony Man.
If you don't have a lot of time and want a trail with a great view, this is one to consider doing!

Is a great trail for your first time hiker and the perfect view of Mother Nature at her best. Take your time and enjoy!

Enjoyed a nice hike through the woods. Some inclines and some areas a bit rocky. Nice to have a walking stick along. Beautiful view at the summit. Would love to see it when the leaves are changed!

It’s a great one for kids as there is one route in and one out. Breathe taking views at the top with several different vista points. At least 7 groups were at the top and everyone could see. We brought our dogs and meat 3 other families with ones.

Hike was classified as a 1 but it has some steep grades like Clingmoas dome. Trail was unpaved.

No trash cans so plan on carrying and waste out. No restrooms on the hike. M

We had a deer pass us on the trail 25 ft in front of us!! Amazing experience. Won’t let me upload the screenshot from the video but it was incredible.

Parking by north entrance to Skyland Resort. Nice introductory hike to Shenandoah National Park. You can make a longer loop by continuing to Little Stony Man. We preferred Hawksbill Summit, but that hike is longer.

Great family friendly hike to a spectacular view. The course is a 1.6 mile shaded loop (or lollipop because you start and finish on the same trail). It is shaded, relatively flat and culminates at a gorgeous view. No pets allowed.

I think we are visiting the park during a slow period. So we did this hike (rated easy on the Shenandoah National Park map). It was rated our favorite hike by 3 out of the 4 of us. We sat atop the lookout for a good 30 minutes and were the only ones there! It was beautiful!

DO NOT go to the address Google gives you in Marksville VA, as it will lead you to a farm way away from where you want to be. Instead put in the address for Shenandoah National Park or find the crossstreet of Skyline Drive and Stony Man.
It costs 25 dollars per car to enter park where trails are located. Located in Shenandoah National Park with many different trail options. Stony Man has two different options, one longer and one shorter. The shorter one (little stony man) is about .9 miles round trip. It is a little rocky and steep in some places but overall easy and the view at the top is definitely worth it. Little stony man hike is great for all skill levels. Definitely recommend.

The hike to the Stoney Man summit wasn't too strenuous. It was a bit over a mile. We went early as to avoid a ton of people and thankfully we had the whole view to ourselves. Thankfully we saw no bears!

I really liked this hike and would do it again. The trail was fairly easy and well maintained. The view at the top was nice.

This trail was very easy and the summit was a lot of fun. The view was absolutely beautiful and you can see for miles. There is a nice parking lot at the base and a very clear trail.

This is a handy trail. We saw families climbing and the climb itself is easy with some hard breathing at a few places. We went up for the sunset and the great view. What's unusual is the number of families that came and went at the type of place that usually takes much effort and some risk.

Tried to park at the 39.1 mile mark Little Stony Man trail-head per another reviewer's suggested but it was full. It turns out you could park just insider the Skyline headquarter compound after the 40 mile marker. The trail was easy but a little confusing since it intercepts and mixes with other trails and has a loop at the end. The view was fantastic with clouds below your feet. We also stopped at the Skyline lodge dining room for lunch. It has a great three-side view.

An easy trek up to a summit and back. Nothing terribly strenuous on this one, and at a shorter distance, was perfect for just a quick stop and view. Well marked routes there and back, and it wasn't too crowded at all once we reached the summit.

Nice quiet walk through the trees up to the lookout.

The trail is easy to follow from the parking lot.

It was about a 30min walk and it wasn't too steep.

A short hike, not steep, to a fantastic view. Especially at sunset. Easy access from a parking lot near Skyland lodge.

Stony Man is not too challenging 1.6 miles with gorgeous views as a payoff, and you can make it a loop with the horse trail. We were there in May with wildflowers just starting, and a black bear ambling across the trail. The trail is not too steep and was in good shape--no loose rocks or much rough surface. There are a couple of areas of bare rock at the top to sit and take in the views. Very worthwhile.

I find it very rare that such a relatively easy, short hike, provides such a HUGE payback. After walking up the pleasantly wooded trail with a field of ferns and tall trees, you arrive at an absolutely stunningly beautiful overlook, perfect for picture taking or just stopping to admire the beautiful scenery. There is a little path around the right side... you'll want to take that as well and walk down to the lower overlook area. The views are even more spectacular, and you feel as though you're at the edge of the universe.

If you're going to do ANY hikes along Skyline Drive, do THIS ONE!

This hike is pretty easy to do. For me I had to rest for 5 minutes just to catch my breath but other than that It was pretty easy for anyone to do. When you get to the top the view is amazing. Make sure you bring some water it was about 75 and we went threw 2 bottles of water.

The Stony Man trail is one of countless wonderful hikes in the Shenandoah National Park. It is one of our favourites though.

The parking lot is right by the Skyland Resort, so there is easy access to washrooms, etc.

The path is wide and features pretty even footing. We always wear hiking boots, but have watched people do this one in flip-flops. The rocky outlook at the top is much easier to navigate if you have sturdy footwear.

The hike up is only about 30 minutes, but leave yourself lots of time to just sit at the top and marvel at the view. Particularly on days when it is not too busy, the top is incredibly peaceful; just you and the breeze and the turkey vultures. It's very neat to look down over the tree canopy and swooping birds.

For a little more peace and quiet, take the path on the left (just 20 or 30 feet from the peak) to a smaller outcropping. Far fewer people go there. Sit and enjoy your lunch.

We make this hike and take a picture at the summit every year, and have been doing it for more than 20 years. Its the best short hike in the park in our opinion.

this was a great hike. I am not an advanced hiker (in any shape of the imagination) and this was not too much and extremely beautiful scenery. Definitely worth the trip

This was a short easy hike that took about 2 hours to compleat. Once at the top you had good views of Luray.

This is the perfect hike if you want a short hike that is not too taxing but has an amazing view. There are few hikes leading to a summit like this that require so little effort. Its a 1.6 mile return, partial loop.

We love this trail. Unfortunately we are no longer able to walk it. Our old legs cant do it anymore. So we now sit at the Stony Man Overlook and admire the scenery below. This year we even when down to Luray and found the Lake that we see from the overlook. The trail is awesome and a must do for those able bodied hikers to hike.

Toddler to pre-teen all enjoyed the walk. There was plenty of "nature" to look at and talk about. It was a little windy up at the overlook but the kids enjoyed the feeling of flying. Only takes an hour up and back on the well marked trail. You may even see a horses on the adjacent horse trail.

Nice hike that is pretty easy to add to any other activity in the Luray area. Not to long and not to difficult , while leftover snow might make it a bit slippery.

If you are in the area or do the Skyline drive , don't miss it.

Great hike that takes you along AT, up to the rocks. A little more crowded with families than Mary's Rock. Good signage at the trail head, buy a book for $1 that will guide you to points of interest.

One of the shortest but rewarding hikes in the park. Very gradual assent to a rock outcrop with a western looking view of the valley and the Allegheny Mountains. If you don’t mind a little longer and a bit more modest summit hike, try Bearfence that has a 360 view from the summit.

We were in Luray for a weekend and planned to hike this on a Friday to avoid crowds but the weather didn’t cooperate so we ended up hiking on Saturday. It is an easy hike with the path very clear the whole way. Took us maybe 20 minutes to get up to the top. The view of the valley and the mountains was so pretty.
Only downside was it was BUSY on a chilly May weekend. Lots of other people all wanting to enjoy the same hike and view. If you are able, go during the week if you want a bit quieter hike.
A couple of things to note, you access this trail from the Skyline Drive so be prepared that you will pay $30/per car to get on the park. Also you access it from the Skyland area (the map given to us at the Thornton Gap entrance while helpful, didn’t point out the trailheads) where there is also a gift shop, restaurant with a beautiful view, bathrooms and cabins to rent. Plenty of parking here as well.

My husband and I hiked this trail, loved the gentle ascent through swaths of fern. It is not a difficult hike, but rain was imminent and we didn't want to go too far. We emerged on the rocky overlook to view the west...the gentle rolling valley behind skyline drive, and the Massanutten Ridge beyond. It is a place that begs a contemplative sit-down. Walked down the horse trail to the parking lot. Overall a really pleasant hike. Anyone can do this one.

If you ever want to feel that you were on top of the world, do come for yourself and see the world’s majesty which opens for you as you approach the summit. This hike will fulfill anybody soul. When you hike do follow the white and blue markers, then the blue marker to the summit. Easy hike from the parking lot for anyone who is active and fit. 20 minute hike to the top.

We parked at the little Stony Man parking lot and started up the trail. It's a great uphill hike to see spectacular views and worth every effort. Once at the top we continued on a secluded trail. We came across a little waterfall and continued and had no idea where we were. Came across a horse trail and followed it and eventually connected with the trail that leads to the summit and more spectacular views. Followed the trail back to the parking lot. It was a long hike but what an adventure!

Well worth taking time out to stroll up Stony Man Mountain. Great views from the top and you may even see a brown bear crossing the road on you way there.

We hit the trail around 8:30 am. Quiet, easy trail with a summit that offers the reward. Deer met us on the trail and they didn't seem to mind us too much.
Nice trail for all ages, just remember it's very windy at the summit!

Did this hike in autumn, early morning with an energetic 5 year old and 9 year old. Hike was not hard at all and was incredibly rewarding at the end. The kids were in awe, and raved about it in the moment and still now after we have gotten home! I would recommend going early—parking lot was empty and got some time to take in the summit solo without anyone there, which wouldn’t be possible with a crowd.

My husband and I really enjoyed this hike. It wasn’t too challenging for us but it was uphill. The views from the top were worth the hike. I found a nice rock seat with great views that I could have sat in and enjoyed for even longer than I did. This hike was very rewarding!

This is a great, quick hike for a family with young kids. Our 4 and 6 year olds had a great time and we did the round trip trail (1.6 miles) in an hour - and that included spending a good chunk of time at the summit enjoying the spectacular view. I wish we had longer to do several of the trails at Shenandoah, but we will have to come back for that.

We have walked this twice - in fall and winter. It is a wonderful place to watch a sunset. It is very easy at the Skyland lodge

On a whim, we hiked up this trail because it was near where we were staying at the Skyland Resort. The end of the trail takes you to the summit with spectacular views. It was a wonderful surprise. There are some inclines to the trail but not too strenuous. Our family of five made it up without any issue. it is worth the trip!

3.7 mi. hike on AT to Stony Man Trail. Views. Looped around back to AT & then to Little Stony Man summit & returned via the Passamaquoddy Trail (rocky, narrow ledge hiking) to Furnace Spring Horse Trail & back to parking lot. Fantastic view & rock outcroppings. A must-do hike in Shenandoah.

Short hike , family friendly. Most of the ascent was toward the end of the hike . Windy at the top and could get crowded easily. Horses use the trail so , watch out for manure ! View was spectacular!

Went with my kids (8 and 3). This is the perfect hike that is still scenic and somewhat challenging, but easy enough for 3 year olds. Get the guide right at the trail head so you can follow along each of the guide posts. My older kids loved the lookout area. Go to lunch at Skyland when you're done.

Not overly difficult to get to.
One of the easier hikes we traveled with three astounding overlooks. Make sure to go to each path as the views offer different angles and each is beautiful.

This is a popular trail with beautiful views at the end of the trail. There are higher peaks and vista's, but this one is easier to climb. We were able to see deer along the trail.

This is a nice easy hike with a breathtaking view at the end! We were able to see the 'smoke' come rolling in. The hike only took about 45 minutes total to walk there and back. Stop for a picture on the Appalachian Trail! This is the easiest hike I've ever done with the best results!

Nice casual walk up to the valley lookout. We only had to break out the hiking poles once. This crosses right over the Appalachian Trail. The fog was rolling in while we were up there - started with a clear valley and within 15 minutes we were covered in a cloud - pretty cool!

We were looking for a short, easy hike with a beautiful view and this hike certainly didn't disappoint! 1.6 mile trail was well maintained and not overly steep. View was spectacular!

The hike is not bad at all. People with canes were completing it. The views from Stony Man are incredible. We were there at the peak of leaf color changing season.

Awesome hike for all ages. And the panoramic view at the end is breathtaking. The children were so excited at reaching the rocks and looking at the view.

A fairly easy hike that leads to a rocky cliff that has great views. Round trip took us about one hour. Definitely the views are worth it.

Took the hike up to Stony Man summit and the views from the top were amazing. We sat on the rocks and enjoyed the views before descending.

We hiked with a 4 and a 6 year old. We used the guide to teach them about the area. You can pick up the guide at the beginning of the hike. The parking lot is about 10 miles from the Thornton entrance. Make sure you have proper shoes for climbing the rocks at the scenic viewing spot at the end. There's a restaurant and restrooms close to the Trail. Spectacular views after your walk through the cool forest

Nice small 1.6 mile lariat hike. Beautiful view of the surrounding area at the top. Pretty easy hike.

Average to easy short duration Hike with amazing view waiting midway. definitely should be done. Great for folks who want to photograph flowers, you will find a lot of opportunity.

This is a very short easy hike from the Skyland Resort. We decided to do it just after sunrise and had the place to ourselves. After the short hike you end up at a little rocky area that has incredible views of the west! We had no idea we were going to see such a nice view as we were walking along the trail because it is covered with trees. Once you get to the spot with the view you soon realize you are high on a mountain. Great little hike that I would definitely recommend if you are in the area!

Moderate hike to top. Have to scramble over rocks, but view is breathtaking! The Forest Service guide was very knowledgeable about the woods, flora, and fauna.

Beautiful, must see location in Luray Va! The cavern was amazing and the est of the buildings and attractions were as well!

What can I say? Everything about serpentine Skyline Drive is awesome! Stony Man Mountain Hike is no exception. The children, 10 and 12, enjoyed it too.

One of the best views I've ever seen. Easy hike for a major payoff. Large area at the summit to have lunch or just take in the view. Do not miss this one.

Don't pay attention to trying to find mile markers 41 or 42 since they aren't that well marked. Just follow signs for Skyland Hotel and then find the lot from there. The hike itself was just the right amount of challenging. Was actually more difficult than I anticipated which I appreciated since I like to feel like I've earned the spectacular view. The overlook itself isn't overly large, so just be prepared to wait your turn for the pics you want.

This was a perfect hike. It was easy for kids and a not so active mom. The site at the end of the hike was spectacular. We took a picnic and ate lunch on the rocks at the end over looking the valley! Was breath taking!

If you can , go! The hike was ver y doable and the view is worth it. The trees are still colorful, the sunsets magnificent and different each day.

If you are driving from the Thornton Gap entrance station, take the first entrance for Skyland (around mile 42) and the parking lot is on your right as soon as you turn in. If it is full, park at the dining hall for Skyland and walk back. It is a short hike to the view point, uphill going in, easy downhill back. The view is amazing - take the hike!

Did this hike when I was elementary school. I have done at least 5 times sense. Best hike for grown ups with teens or younger kids don't recommend any younger then 7 or so due to wild life you could encounter.

We took the easy hike out to the viewpoint. We went very slowly, as we were carrying our daughter the whole way. But we managed to complete the trek in about an hour. The trail is well-marked, and it connects other trails in the area for those looking to go father. Decent parking area. Had no trouble finding a spot.

Our favorite hike in the park! Wasn't hard but was a good workout. The views are incredible every step of the way!

Easy, short hike among native flora, but stay on the trail to avoid poison ivy contact. Note the old growth trees of birch, pines, & Tulip poplars and flowering plants in the spring.
The hike is easy, but wear proper hiking shoes or boots for stable traction on the gravel and exposed roots.

Nice hike and great views, would do it again for sure. it was not a bad hike at all and the views were fantastic.

The Stony Man Hike is an easy hike. It gets a little more challenging once you get to the actual outcropping of rock. It takes about 2 hours at a moderate pace to complete the part of the hike we did. Elevation change of about 400 feet - gradual. The view is the best we experienced while in the park. If you are on the Skyline drive this is a must. We were there in October - fantastic.

This was an easy trail to climb -- if you don't get off the main path! The view from the rock outcropping at Stony Man is breathtaking. You can see the valley and the town of Luray below. If you angle your sights just right, you can just imagine how this valley looked before anyone settled here! At the beginning of the trail, there is a brown metal box that has trail maps inside. They are $1 and worth it to keep you going in the right direction. There are some side trails that are easy to get sidetracked on. It is well worth the climb! This attraction is free, but entry into the National Park is not.

We did the stony man hike from little stony man parking lot. The hike is easy but steep at times. There are two view points before you reach the summit. View from summit are amazing and we went right at peak for fall colors. Fun hike with great views.

I parked at Little Stony Man Parking.

I went pretty quickly was able to get to the junction where the two trails (little stony man view + stony man summit) dissect in about 7 minutes. It took about another 2 minutes for me to get to the little stony man view. I spent about 5 minutes there and decided that Stony Man summit has probably better views.

It took another 2 minutes to get back the to junction and I went my way toward the summit. Probably within 3 minutes on the trail I heard something and I spotted a bear; I think a cub too. I decided to not try and risk it or wait so I went back.

I was pretty surprised that a bear would be present in the humid and hot July weather, but I guess I learned something new.

Maybe next time? :P

This is one of my favorite hikes in the Shenandoah National Park! Views are breathtaking and it's a short hike. The earlier you go the better, trail can get crowded and parking lot can fill up fast. Be sure to bring your camera and enjoy!

Loved this relatively straightforward hike which ended with spectacular views. Our guide was so helpful and willing to answer questions. Well worth the effort.

The parking lot was full, so you may need to park on the street. You can get a little map in the brown box next to the sign at the start of the trail. Path is marked well. When you reach the viewpoint, it is a popular photo op, so you may need to wait or not linger too long. The view was great and the air seemed extra crisp and clean. I could have spent an hour or so just sitting there looking down and around. If you are not in great shape, just take the trail slow and easy.

Pleasant short and nearly-flat hike along wooded trail with the reward of a wonderful view of the valley.

This is a great start to exploring the Shenandoah National Park. Its a beautiful area easily accessible from the Shenandoah valley. The scenic drive across the top gives superb views but getting on to the trails is the only way to really experience the area. There are loads of parking areas and plenty of downloadable maps. This is a short hike which can easily be combined with other trails to extend it. We saw a black bear!

Parking lot was packed so we parked on the road heading into the campground. This hike was relatively easier and shorter than others. We took the horse trail up to avoid the crowded path. There are 3 spots with views. The bigger one is most crowded. The one to the left offers the highest elevation view but only by 10-15 ft more than the others. Spectacular views all around. Windy and cold on this day for us.

Note that the Stony Man hike starts off around 41.5MM, on the entrance to Skyland (the 39.1 MM is for the little stony man trail). I had my 4-yr old and 7-yr old on hike#1 and they thoroughly enjoyed it. The walk up to the summit was a slight challenge to the 4-yr old as height gain is about 350 ft. The view at the summit is beautiful and the walk back is relatively easy. The trip took us about 45min overall.

We did this hike as a family with a 12 year old and 7 year old in tow. We enjoyed this hike. The views were excellent and the birds were so beautiful. Easy to sit there eat a snack and enjoy the scenery! Our 7 year old loved the birds and could have sat there all day watching the birds. The hike up and down was not bad. Get off Skyline Drive and enjoy the hikes and the views. You will not be dissappointed!

The location: by Skyland hotel. If you can't find it , ask at the reception.
It is a uphill hike, not much views, till the top. The views at the top are worth it.
Took us about 25 minutes one way(average shape).

We went in the morning to avoid the crowds & enjoyed the easy hike from the parking lot . Great photo opportunities at the top. Beautiful over look !

Great hike but very misty morning no view at the top today. Did enjoy the hike though. There is a guided hike a few mornings a week with a ranger

This is a relatively easy hike to Stony Man peak which affords 270 degree views of the valley. The trail also intersects with the AT via which you can access the Stony Man cliffs.

The trail was fantastic, but you should be in shape if you do it. Started casual then became rocky. Last part was steep but worth it as the view was amazing. Would not recommend for just anyone.

The climb to Stony Mountain was great. It was a rainy day but despite that the hike was a blast. Went back the next day and climbed Mary's Rock.

We did this hike with our 6 year old, it was a nice and easy hike, we brought a small lunch in our pack and enjoyed the view while we ate. I wish we lived closer so that we could experience Shenandoah more.

Great view......well marked and worth the walk. I would recommend it for someone who isn't very fit just for the landscape. Give them a chance to "hike" and not too difficult. But very scenic.

Just got back from walking it. Very beautiful. Thank you park service for all you do. Trails kept up.

This was an easy hike and took less than 45 minutes roundtrip, including photos at the look out point. Great expansive view of the valley and surrounding mountains.

My foster daughter and I chose this hike because it was easy to get to (just off the main part of Skyline), and was advertised as having the best views in the area. The hike did not disappoint! The views were stunning, and there was plenty of room at nearly all of them to sit for awhile and enjoy, without blocking others. The main lookout point was pretty crowded, but if you are willing to take the longer hike, you can often find a spot to yourself. We visited on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and had the five mile trail mostly to ourselves.

You don't have to go all five miles ... there are two shorter options, a one mile to the summit, and a three mile variation of the route we took.

This time of year, you may want bug spray. You probably won't use much sunscreen given the trees. And ... we saw a black bear! This year we've heard there are many more than usual so use good sense. "Our" bear was at a distance.

I would rate this as a moderate hike to the summit of Shenandoah's second highest mountain (4,410 ft.) The trail is approximately 1.6 miles long from parking area to return. I hiked this pleasant trail with my son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren (ages, 2, 4, 6). The 6 and 4 year old did OK on the hike. Mommy and Daddy carried the 2 year old in a special pack. The trail head begins just past the north entrance into Skyland Lodge complex. This is a self guided nature trail if you wish to take the guide book offered at the beginning of the trail. There are 20 numbered stations along the trail that correspond to the 20 numbered sections in the booklet. You can skip the booklet and just enjoy the well marked trail and nature's beauty. A section of Stony Man Mountain Trail makes use of the Appalachian Trail. If it is a clear day there are great vistas at the top. Looking west we saw the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountains and Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia. The top is very rocky. You need to watch your step and use caution walking around on the rocks. Keep a close watch on smaller children as it is a big drop-off from the rocky viewing area.

Great hike for kids. Just enough incline and good scenery! Narrow path at times but easy to get by others.

Nice hike up to the summit of Stony Man Mountain. Path was well-marked and not very difficult - one of the better (and easier) hikes in the park.

This hike is listed as easy in all of the guide books and compared to most it is. That said the last part of the climb to the summit is somewhat steep. When you arrive at the summit there is a jumble of large rocks that you can climb into and the view is really great. A great photo opportunity to capture your family or friends standing among the rocks with the scenic view behind them. Well worth the effort.

We did this hike in September 2022 and it was amazing! Beautiful scenery on the way to the top. Moderate difficulty in places. Very windy at the top so stay away from the edge. View at the top is stunning. It was our favorite hike on our trip to Shenandoah National Park!

Nice view at the top with numerous wildflowers. I even saw a deer on the way up. This was a good hike to finish off my day of hiking!

We really enjoyed the hike; just the right amount of exercise for a morning. The views from the top of Stony Man were fantastic - and we were rewarded further with the sight of two eagles soaring overhead.

The Stony Man Hike is an easy hike with slight to moderate inclines and a well marked trail that is very easy to follow. Part of this trail is actually on the AT so you'll be following the famous white blazes for a while. For the Stony Man trail you'll want to follow the blue blazes as you split off from the AT. The Stony Man trail also has wooden numbered sign posts as part of a self guided nature trial. You can pick up a guide map at the trail head in a box for a $1 donation. This trail does have a few intersection but everything is so well marked it's near impossible to get lost.

With that said -- the mile marker 39.1 on the above TripAdvisor header is actually for "Little Stony Man Parking". You can still hike to "Stony Man" from there after you get to Little Stony Man but this is a longer hike, 2.9 miles vs 1.6 miles, and I've read that the trail to Little Stony Man is fairly steep thus making the hike more difficult. Little Stony Man Parking looks more like a turn-out on the side of the road that only holds maybe 6 cars.

Instead, you should park at "Stony Man Parking" past mile marker (approx) 41.7 right after you turn onto Skyland Upper Loop Road towards the Skyland Resort. This is a large proper parking lot where the trail head map board is located and where you can pick up the nature guide map mentioned above.

When we hiked the trail (8/20/18), thick fog and clouds had blanketed the entire mountain which made for a very unique experience (at least for us) -- it seemed like we where hiking through the clouds. Stony Man Cliff was in complete white out conditions adding to the illusion of walking on clouds. However driving in these conditions were... let's just say -- sub-optimal -- but we survived to tell the tale.

We enjoyed this hike on multiple occasions always admiring the views and the seasonal nature changes. The trail is not technically difficult . There are various options regarding starting points and it is good to look at the map first.

Was about 1km from the parking lot. Beautiful hike and amazing view. You climb some altitude on the way up but what goes up must come down and you gain the benefits on the return.

We took the long hike, starting at the Little Stony Man parking. We hiked the Appalachian Trail to the Stony Man Trail. This takes you to the Stony Man Summit where you have beautiful views! You can hike to SM with children as there was an entire family lunching when we got there. We then took the Stony Man Horse trail out to the Furnace Spring Trail. We saw two bears and a five point buck on this trail! From here, we jumped on the Passamaquoddy Trail and came back around to the Little Stony Man viewpoint. We took the AT back to our parking area. I will note, we took this route because a park ranger told us the Passamaquoddy Trail was a must see with beautiful views. We did not agree and thought the trail was ugly terrain with a rocky path and no view. BUT...had we not taken her suggestion, we would have missed the wildlife on Furnace Spring Trail so we cannot be disappointed!! In the future, I would just take the hike to Stony Man and then hop around to see the Little Stony Man viewpoint. You can actually see the Little Stony Man viewpoint from Stony Man and can wave to the people viewing from there. We parted ways with a couple at the start of our hike who went the direction of LSM and when we got to he top of SM we saw them at LSM. We waved and told them the view was better from up where we were!!

Just finished this over this last weekend. It's winter so the foliage is missing right now, but it's still a beautiful area.

From the car park, it is a rigorous, but pleasant walk to the Stony Man mountain top. There are multiple trails, so it can be both confusing, and surprising with vistas along the way. The top of the trail opens into a wonderful view from the rocky outcrop. We found the hike well worth it. I suggest taking water with you. Also, there are no restroom facilities at this car park, nor along the trails.

Great for families! Packed a lunch, and enjoyed the views with our family. Youngest is 5 yrs old, but he managed the hike fine.

A great way to experience a forest hike with small kids, takes you through the woods to the sounds of birds and rewards you with mesmerizing view at the end. Must do if you are visiting Skyline. The parking is outside the road to Skyland.

Our favorite Mountain at Skyline, and this hike is a bit hard, but just take your time, well worth the hike and view!

Gorgeous views! This hiking was the perfect amount of challenging for me since I live in a relatively flat area and I’m not used to hiking uphill much. It gets windy at the viewpoint but the rest of the hike isn’t.

I took my first hike on Mother’s Day and it was truly a treat! The hike was moderate in skill level, busy enough should anything go wrong and long enough to get a feel for hiking! The view was breathtaking and pretty cool to feel accomplished in reaching the top! This hike is beginner and kid friendly! Enjoy!

This hike probably has the most bang for the buck out of all of the hikes in Shenandoah National Park, especially on a clear day. It’s an easy 1.7 mile round trip hike with 340 ft. of elevation that takes you to the summit of Stony Man Mountain, the second highest point in the park. From there you can clamber out on to the top of some rocks, sit, and enjoy scenic views of Shenandoah Valley.

This is a family friendly hike that has amazing views. My whole family enjoyed the walk up to the incredible summit. There were many other families with young children on the hike, so it seemed to be quite popular.

Not much to say but relatively a short, sweet hike, with beautiful views. A "go to" hike" for all the family

Awesome hike for the family. We (my husband, 8 year old son and I) recently visited the Shenandoah National Park and completed the Stony Man Hike and it was great! Although a little rugged at times, most of the path was easy - converging with the Appalachian Trail at times!
The views at both the overlook and the summit are unbelievable! All of us agreed that this was the most rewarding hikes we have been on.

Not too bad of an elevation gain (~350 ft over a little less than a mile) with awesome views! Big parking area too, we hiked it on July 4 and arrived at 10am with plenty of spots available.

The Stony Man Hike was the last one we did in a day which we also did the Rose River Falls Loop and the Hawksbill Summit. This hike was very easy especially compared with the other two. We went to the first overlook and arrived in about 15 minutes. The view of the valley is great and you can also see Skyline Drive winding through the park. This is a great hike that anyone can enjoy in Shenandoah National Park.

Great stop for a short hike and beautiful views of the park. It is an opportunity to look down on the Skyline Drive. The trail is shady so it shouldn’t be too bad in the summer but always take water.

Stony Man was a great hike, made even more special by the final
Views. Not too difficult, I saw kids going along easily. Worth the visit!!

There are 2 parts to this hike. You can do the short hike which goes up to a fantastic view that is 1.6 miles, 1 hour, 340 feet elevation gain or you can add the Passamaquoddy loop on for a longer hike 3.4 miles, 3 hour, 770 feet elevation gain. which is very rocky but not hard. We are not fast hikers and did all of it in 2.25 hours.

The hike was made much more enjoyable by the excellent trail guide (look for a metal box at the entrance of the trail just off the parking area). The hike takes you up about about 500 feet in elevation and is in good condition. Uneven footing in some places and very uneven footing at the overlook lead me to suggest that this trail is moderate difficulty, not farily easy as it says in the park guide.

Not a terrible hike to outstanding views. We hiked the shorter Stony Man hike, which was the perfect length to very nice views.

Great short hike with a beautiful summit. We completed it was our 6 year old twins & they love it. Even got lucky and saw a rattlesnake crossing the trail.

We visited with some friends at the end of October. We decided to do this hike with our 3 kids, all under 6, and had no problems. They were able to climb some of the rocks as we walked and they had a great time.

It was a very level grade, and we had no problem carrying our 1 year old when he decided we was done. Very pretty hike.

It's a descent walk from the parking area. It's worth the walk. Although, there are people who would make this spot their picnic ground. Hard to take a solo picture without being rude. Tried to stay there for a while hoping that they would take the hint. But no success.

This is an awesome hike with beautiful views at the top that is not strenuous and doable for many hikers. The parking lot is right next to Skyland Lodge; if you are staying at Skyland, you could even walk there. I highly recommend going early. We hiked this on a Thursday morning in early Oct. We started around 9:15. An hour later when we finished the parking lot was 3/4 full and we saw a bunch of people heading up the trail. Meanwhile, we were able to get the summit totally to ourselves!

The trail is about 1.6 miles total and my watch said just under 300 ft of elevation gain. It can be rocky in places and there are a couple steep sections, but nothing technical. The summit is rocky and not very large, so it could get crowded very easily. You can do this as a loop (which we did) or an out and back if you really wanted to.

Great hike even for beginners. Yes, I could tell I am out of shape during the uphill hike, but easy to stop and catch your breath. Well worth the two look out points. Lots of families. Definitely will be back to check out other trails, but this was great for a weekend getaway.

This hike took us about an hour each way, but we did it at 6 pm and had the summit all to ourselves. It was a clear evening and the views were gorgeous

This is a perfect hike for families. The hike itself is easy with only a little bit of rocky areas to maneuver over. The view at the top is beautiful.

Great little hike up to the summit. This is definitely not a hard hike (from the parking lot nearest to Skyland). Perfect hike with kids. I think we did the short hike (parking lot to summit and back) in about 40 minutes, with kids. We saw a bunch of deer, one who followed us within 6 feet for a bit. No fear at all! The day we went, it was WINDY on top. So, if you have kids - keep 'em close when you reach the rocks! A few of the gusts were enough to knock me off-balance a couple of times. BEAUTIFUL view. Definitely a hike worth stopping for it you are in the area.

The views are absolutely amazing...We ended up taking the longer route so it was a little more difficult then we anticipated, but we were thrilled that we made it to the top because we were totally amazed at the gorgeous views!!

Great hike, easy trail and incredible views from the top. A bit crowded the day we were there, but everyone was courteous that was sharing the trail with us.

Not too strenuous. Always take water! A snack/packed lunch is definitely nice. This hike leads to beautiful views at the top.

My wife and I hike this trail very easy and awesome views.when i say easy no crawling over boulders but there are some steep spots and rocky in areas wear the right shoes you will be happy

Been hiking Shenandoah on Skyline Drive for many years. Always go mid-October to enjoy the cool weather, beautiful color of the leaves and the many great trails. We always hike to Stony Man Summit on Friday afternoon before having dinner at the lodge. Stony Man offers one of the nicest views of Shenandoah Valley. A popular short, easy hike that never gets old.

This hike is pretty steadily uphill with some flat spots along the way. However, any difficulty is well worth it! Not many hikes this short with this great of view. The hikers in my group ranged from 19-76 and we made it round trip in about an hour and a half. Definitely a must do if you’re in the park! Also a great hike across the road to some waterfalls worth checking out.

Beautiful view, decent hike. If you want a longer hike then start at the bottom where the Little Stony Man parking is; otherwise, park at Skyland and do the shorter hike. START YOUR HIKE EARLY. Parking at many of these locations become crowded the later in the day it gets.

The Highest point in the Shenandoah National Park! If you're in the areas and on Skyline Drive, Don't pass it by! A medium-Easy hike of about 1.5-2 miles round trip. Awesome Views!

At the beginning of the trail is a box containing a booklet with points of interest along the hike. I thought that the information enhanced the hike with some history (like the copper mine along the trail) and nature notes. And yes, the views at the summit are spectacular!

There are two paths to the summit - the longer one from Little Stony Man parking. Either path does not present a challenge. I've hiked both trails many times at many times of year, and have never been disappointed. The view of the Massanutten Mountains and the Alleghenies beyond is the reward. Spring offers mountain laurel and azaleas. Fall has gorgeous colors. Make sure to include a meal at Skyland before or afterwards.

Terrific views at the end of the hike and a very easy hike for kids and whole family. A must stop on the Skyline Drive.

This trail is ~1.5 miles round trip and gains ~450 feet of elevation. The hike is very easy and the trail itself is quite smooth. Once you make it to the summit of Stony Man Mountain (Shenandoah’s second highest peak), there are great photo opportunities and potential to see falcons flying overhead.

Stony Man Trail begins in the Skyland Resort complex at the corner of one of the parking lots. Pay attention to the brochure. It says that the hike is "easier" - as compared to the other hike in the brochure. That does not make it "easy" as it is all uphill until you reach the summit. Once you get there, there are views that make you appreciate your effort. We went in the late afternoon and were rewarded by the beautiful light of the setting sun on the fall foliage. The whole experience was exceptional to say the least.

Enjoy the part we did, but kids did not want to get to the top. As it was a spectacular day, we enjoyed the distance we did cover.

A beautiful hike and easy for the kids to join! The view at the top is great and so much fun even on a gray day. Parking was busy but we easily found a spot on the OT her side.

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What a great hike even with 8 & 11 year olds! It was less than a mile from the parking to the summit woth breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley! 360 degrees of pure nature beauty!

The hike offered a lot of astonishing views of the nature and surrounding areas. I'd say it's a moderate one. However due to recent storms in some areas there was a bunch of fallen trees which made it a bit more challenging to jump through. The views are all worth the hike!

It was a moderate hike. got lost on the trail but the view at the top was gorgeous. about 15 of us went.

Not to long. Perfect to do when you want to fit in two activities in a day. About three hours. great views

This was our first hike in Shenandoah National park. It seemed pretty easy and we learned after that the numbered markers along the way corresponded to different areas for the "interpretive" part of the trail. Saw families with little kids make the hike, but they avoided the rocky viewpoint at the end. You need to scramble over some rocks, but the view (from our limited side) was awesome. Annoyingly, there were around 10 people camped out on the rocks on/in front of the best viewpoint at the top, and took-up the view the entire time we were there.

My husband and I are 'seniors' and like to stay active so we were looking for a manageable hike to take during our recent trip on the Skyline Drive. From the reviews I read, this seemed like a good one and we were not disappointed! It was not too difficult and the views from the top were great. We went mid-morning and it did get a bit crowded while we were there.

We did this hike with a 14month old in a pack and a 3year old who was able to get to the top himself. Unfortunately the day we went it was rainy so the views were not impressive. But I would still recommend this trail to anyone with young kids.

We did this hike with young children (6 and 9) and it was easy for all. Great and worthwhile view from the top.

Very nice hike and terrific view from Stony Man. I highly recommend buying the small book "Circuit Hikes in Shenandoah National Park" from the gift shop. Really useful, but I have one caveat. They list this trail (and another we walked) as "Easy". Obviously easy for a regular hiker, but if you're used to wide park paths with no stones or roots, you'll be challenged. Bring your hiking shoes.

We wanted a hike to satisfy my pro hiker husband, 8yo, 13yo and me, who was recovering from a torn meniscus. This one for the bill. Not too long, not too short, some gentle elevation and lots of shades and vistas. Loved it.

Easy and enjoyable hike for the whole family. Our kids aged 4, 5 and 8 had a great time walking up and back. The view at the summit was spectacular!

This is beautiful part of SNP, good hike, great view. The hike itself is not too easy, but the final view is worth it. It is near Skyland lodge, place with good food and nice scenery. Everyone should visit.

A good wake-up hike, or one to do with the kids. Informative self-led nature hike. Magnificent view from the outcropping of rocks at the top.

We had an incredible hike. The views were amazing. There were different qualities of the hike. Not to much elevation. But lots of fun. One more of the top hikes we did.

We walked this trail while staying in a rental in Luray. From our rental we entered Skyline Drive at the Thornton Gap entrance and had to pay $25 per vehicle to enter the Shenandoah National Park. (Note that active duty military receive a 1-year pass to all national parks for free.) We then contiued our drive to the Stony Man trail parking lot. There is ample parking here and the trail is .8 miles out and then .8 miles back for a total hike/walk of 1.6 miles if you only do the Stony Man trail. We had adult children carrying their children, and this is very doable on this trail. There is some elevation gain but not much. The walk is very worth the grand views at the overlook. We highly recommend this trail!

So this peak can apparently be reached via a few different trails (I think...). We originally were considering starting from a trailhead along Skyline Drive but (after miraculously scoring one of a very limited # of parking spots) had to abandon that... Instead, a bit later in the day, we started the ascent from a different trailhead not far from Skyland (on its approach road).

You basically leave from the parking lot and hike about 0.2 miles to an intersection with the Appalachian Trail. From there, you ascend a single trail towards the summit, which diverges to form a loop closer to the top. It isn't super steep either way. We made it to the summit and enjoyed the views. It appeared that you could descend slightly on a different trail and have good views from another spot about 25 feet below the crest. We did not do that, though.

We hiked back down the other branch of the loop. We had to hurry due to our need to get in line for the Skyland dining room when it opened at 5 p.m.

This is a worthwhile hike if you have time. You can probably ask the rangers / info desk at Skyland for better guidance on the merits of the various trails that lead up to the summit.

We stayed at Skyland and did this hike which was short (1.6 miles rt) but with some uphill climbs. It was early November (just post leaf peeping) and warm...only 7 of us at the summit. My husband and I enjoyed sitting on the rocks taking in the marvelous view...don't skip it!

The trail is lovely and so is the view, but it is not easy for small children or older adults. The footing is difficult and the trail is steep is several areas. Experienced hikers would find it easy, probably even older experienced hikers, but inexperienced visitors will not find it easy.

We did this 1.5 mile (roundtrip) hike on Tuesday, October 12. Got to the viewpoint and there was too much fog to see anything. The next day, we did Little Stony Man which was 1.2 miles (roundtrip) with 337 feet elevation gain - took us 40 minutes to complete. Weather cooperated and we had amazing views. There are way less people at Little Stony Man. It was my favorite hike in Shenandoah National Park.

If you have time, do both hikes. They are both easy. If you can only do one, I'd recommend Little Stony Man.

This is considered an easy trail. Very near Skyland with a good parking area.
It’s still a good workout. It’s a steady uphill climb to the highest point on the Shenandoah Drive.
The views are spectacular! Well worth the hike up.
Definitely a highlight of my visit to the park.
Doable for someone of average fitness.
I always recommend a walking stick especially for older hikers.

Have made this hike several times over the past few years. It is absolutely amazing and offers incredible views when you reach the peak. Planning to do it again.

You really must drive at least part of Skyline Drive and stop and hike some of the wonderful trails available, including this must see summit! While a bit of an incline, it isn't a difficult trail and it is definitely worth it! The views!!! You must go see for yourself!

First time visitors to Skyline Drive and knew that this was the destination for our hike. It was very cold the day we were there but we dressed warm and made the hike. The trail was marked and fairly easy navigate. The views were worth every step!

Nice short hike with a big reward at the end! The view is fantastic..be careful at the lookout, steep and rocky.

We went up and a) the view was great--exactly what you see in the other photos, but b) we saw clouds rolling in from the valley and literally slamming into us on the overlook. It was very cool seeing the vapor rise up below us and fly by us. Make sure you follow the correct trail, as you'll encounter a few options along the way.

My daughter and I completed this short hike following a rain shower. We reached the summit and enjoyed it alone-no crowds! It was early in the season -cold and windy but the sun came out and we were inspired by the amazing views!! This hike is truly a gem and very close to Skyland.

The trail is short and easy, the view at the end is really amazing. I hiked four trails in Shenandoah, this trail is my favorite.

High reward for little effort. Views from the top are outstanding and the hike is quite easy (not sure why some reviews say it is difficult?). My wife an 2 kids (4 & 2.5 years) and myself (an active 300+ pounds) made it with relative ease (~1 hr.) - hardest part was keeping the kids focused on getting there. Once to the top the rock outcropping sand views were amazing. Highly recommend, especially for those short on time and/or not big hikers - you won't regret it.

This was a nice quick hike. Be sure to get there early so you can get a parking spot! We added we thought this hike was too short so we added on the Passamaquoddy trail for some extra mileage

Beautiful views await you on this fabulous hike. Definitely a hike as it is directly up. Makes it short but can be a little wear on your knees. No pets allowed on the trail but that doesn't include children so I do encourage you to make this a family affair. Please watch the children by the rocks though easy to tumble and trip.

Lovely, quite easy , walk up to Stoney Man mountain with stunning views as your reward, get the map as you start the walk to help and inform about the walk. Well worth the effort and probably one of the easiest.

The trail is a little steep and uneven. Take your time and take some water. But the view at the top is worth the climb. Sitting on the rocks, looking out at the vista is awe inspiring.When you exit the parking lot, go right to the next roadway and visit the historic Massanutten Lodge... great little piece of the park's history.

A stop worth incorporating into your trip if you're in the area. This is a manageable hike that leads to an awesome view.

If all you have is a little bit of time while in the park, stop here. Would be a fantastic spot to watch the sunset!

This is not a popular hike and in the summer the view an be a little obscured, but still, take this hike. It's great.

We took the longer of the two hikes. Just beautiful! Be ready for some striking mountain (ON THE EDGE views)

One of the hikes that gives you a view of the mountains and valleys, and not a difficult hike no matter whether you park in Little Stony Man parking or Stony Man parking (the latter is a shorter hike to the viewpoint). The sign at the trailhead near Little Stony Man parking and park literature don't agree on whether it is four miles or 2.6 miles to the rock formation. I did not have my fitness watch on so I can't say, but it did not feel like or time like four miles. There is a slope to the climb, naturally since you are ascending to a viewpoint, but it is not severe and can be readily accomodated. There are numerous hikes in the park that emphasize the view. While it is worthwhile, there is no need (other than fitness or checking off a list) to attain every outcropping with a viewpoint. Decide how much time you have, what part of the park you will be in, and ask a ranger where the viewpoint(s) are in the area.

This is a great 4 mile hike, which will give you some great views, and give you an opportunity to hike the Appalachian Trail. You get a slight climb, so it feels like you did something at the end. I found it a good alternative to Old Rag Mountain, which takes up a lot of the day. Be sure and stop by Little Stony as it is a good photo opp!

Started our hike at the parking lot by Little Stony Man..not many places to park but we were there around 10am. The weather was just perfect to enjoy the views...ate our lunch on top of Stony Man...awesome

If you aren't into crazy elevation hikes and can handle rocky trails, Stony Many trail is perfect. Certainly not a walk in the park, but easy when compared to the other hikes. Great spot for sunset.

A nice little hike that goes up and up and up. The trail is a bit on the rocky side with tree roots in between, so we had to watch where we stepped. The views at the top were spectacular, and a nice couple from England made pictures of us. The the trail went down and down to get back to the trail head. All in all, a good moderate hike if you like hiking in the mountains.

We chose this as a "warm-up" hike since we haven't been doing much mountain hiking lately. It is well-marked, easy, and takes you to a spectacular view of the Shenandoah Valley.

Moderate to difficult 4 mile loop (if you do Little Stony Man to Stony Man Summit loop—we parked in Little Stony lot). Took us over 2.5 hours with some stops to rest on the way. Recommend hiking boots as the path is pretty rocky at parts. Three gorgeous summit views on this loop and well worth the effort! Not too crowded as it is past peak season but still lots of good color. Some smoke / fog can be seen and smelled from local forest fires. Bring or download a map as trails aren’t super clearly marked.

Was a little nervous of hiking up a mountain because of hip surgery only 9 months earlier, but with the help of my hiking stick it was a breeze. Beautiful views and pictures!!

This hike and the culminating views at the end were breathtaking! When we got to the top it literally took our breath away. Spent about an hour taking pictures and just enjoying the views.

If you take younger kids please remind them that it's not a playground! It was nerve-wracking the way some kids were jumping near the edge and many people left because of it. That was the only negative.

This was our favorite hike in the park. You get in a nice moderate hike with an incredible view at the end. we climbed out on the rocks and sat for over an hour while watching a bald eagle, a falcon, and other birds soar below us.

This is a great short hike with a tremendous view overlooking west Shenandoah at the top. Medium intensity walk through a mixture of flat and hills; some level of fitness and mobility is required.

Struggling to rate this to be honest. It took us 20 mins to get up, 15 mins to get down. From the other reviews this seemed like a more significant “hike” but we were disappointed. Views from the top are magnificent but until you get to the top, it’s heavily wooded forest so nothing to see. December had no one on the trail so maybe that contributed to our speed. But eh- good hike but don’t plan your day around it. I clocked 1.5 miles round trip and 313 ft of elevation gain.

Did this hike on a hot, humid day. Worth the trip and the altitude climb for the amazing views. Not too tricky. We did it in an hour (round trip). Very close to the Skyland lodge and dining. We saw dear. Some climbing but not too tricky.

I am not an avid hiker. My daughter wanted to go on a hike so I figure I would try this trail. I would consider this an easy hike and well worth the trip. It takes about an hour and half.

We hiked up to the top . It’s a long walk & rocky. But worth it once you get to the top . Beautiful view of the valley.

This is an easy 1.6 mile hike up a decent grade and it's well-shaded most of the hike up. When you reach the summit, the view just captivates you. We could see the town of Luray below and the mountain range further away, across the horizon. We saw all ages on the trail, 6 months old to 80-something. It's an easy hike and well-worth it for that view.

We hiked the trail in late October, just before the peak of fall colors. It was a very popular day in the park. We were a little earlier than most folks; we arrived about 11:00 a.m. We got a place to park right away, and did not have many other on the trail with us and at the summit. The view was impressive and worth the climb (be careful on the rocks!). By the time we were headed down there was a steady stream of groups going up, and the parking lot was jammed to overflowing by noon. If you’re coming to look at fall foliage, you had better get there early. On our way out we saw that the line to enter the park was much longer than when we went in.

This was an easy hike even for a 4 year old. There are two overlooks near each other. One is just a bit higher up. Such a beautiful view, but it’s windy and chilly, so dress warm.

I grew up in the valley below Shenandoah National Park, and spent the first 18 years of my life looking up at the craggy peak of Stony Man without every going there. So this summer's three-day visit to Skyland seemed the perfect chance to correct that missed opportunity. The hike up from the resort is not too steep and plainly marked. It's not so easy (paved) that you can take a stroller on it, which I assume the family we crossed paths with in the parking lot quickly discovered. There's also a very good chance you will cross paths with wildlife on your short hike up to the peak. My family did just that with a momma black bear and her cub, who appeared on the side of the mountain about 50 yards ahead of us. (Pro tip: Give them plenty of space. Black bears in SNP are used to people, but they're still wild animals that can harm you if you are not careful. DO NOT try to cozy up to them for a selfie. This ain't Disney World.) The rocky peak of Stony Man is worth every inch of the climb up. The view of the valley is breathtaking. The heap of bare granite feels like an adventure in itself. Bring a lunch and stay a while.

We wanted a hike with good scenery but not too challenging. This hike was perfect. Took about an hour and ended up with a beautiful spot for photos and great visits.
Our second hike was Dark Hallow Falls which was more challenging but had some amazing waterfalls. Both were excellent.

We had to be picky with our hikes since we only had 1 day to hike. I am glad that we chose Stony Man (not little Stony Man, which is a different trail). It was an easier hike, only about 1.5 miles round trip. It was worth going to the top to see the absolutely beautiful views.

BE CAREFUL driving up and down to get to the trail, especially after dark!

Easiest "hike" ever. I think it may be wheel-chair accessible. I'm not entirely sure as I haven't visited for a while. But I don't remember any stairs (though the incline may require someone to push you). You drive up to an parking area about a quarter-mile-ish from the lookout. If you're brave you can go off the side to the observation deck and roam around the side of the mountain, there's a rock underneath the observation deck you can stand on. Of course, don't risk your safety or anything.

This was a easy hike, took about an hour round trip. The group behind us spotted a bear! The Summit is a great place to take pictures. Be warned that Skyline Dr is about 23 miles from Hwy 61, so it takes about 45 minutes. Stony Man is about 10 miles south on Skyline from the Luray entrance.

This was a really nice hike with pretty scenery. The trail is well marked and a prett short round trip jaunt with AMAZING views at the summit. I would highly recommend this hike! Those with little ones will want to keep a close eye on them at the top. The rocks do get a little slippery.

The view is outstanding and the hike is easy so great for all. The view at the end is fantastic. I would recommend this hike for the family and honestly the view is spectacular. Of course there are great views all along Skyline Drive.

We hiked Stony Man last summer. It's an easy and well-marked trail. It was the first trail for our 3 year old, and it was only a mile or two to the summit. We brought lunch and had a picnic overlooking the Shenandoah mountains. There were plenty of places to sit, even though there were other groups of people there. I always love a hike that rewards a summit, such as Stony Man. We brought sketchbooks for the girls, and they doodled pictures of the mountains and birds. An excellent family hike!

We hiked this from the Skyland parking lot. The hike to Stony Man for two parents and two teens took only about half an hour, and while the views were great, the short distance was somehow unsatisfying. Rather than returning straight back to our starting point, we returned by continuing north on the AT and then making a loop back via the Passamaquoddy Trail, and were glad we did. The return brought some additional super views to the west, less foot traffic from other hikers, and was still very doable by all. We were back at Skyland 1.5 hours after our start.

Great views , easy hike. Dogs loved it. There is also a Little Stony Man hike. Fun times ! Entire area has many trails and various ability levels and family friendly ones also.

We live in Charlottesville and grown fond of running up to the Park for a short hike or two. We had not been to Skyland, so that was our focus. Since this was Labor Day weekend, it was quite busy. We decided the crowds were too much at Dark Hollow Falls, near Big Meadow, so we continued on to Stony Man. We parked in the Stone Man lot and enjoyed the hike. After a bit of walking, you will come to the loop... you can go left or right to the summit. We took the loop right, and I recommend that. It has more firm footing than the return loop. From the summit, we stayed right, and we came onto a spot that we could go right (straight), or more left. Veering down left will take you back to the Stony Man parking lot. It was a nice sort hike that provided just the right amount of enhanced heart rate :-) .

This is an easy and short hike with fantastic view. Park right off of Stony Man overlook on Skyline Drive.

If there is only one hike you can do at Shenandoah National Park, this is the one I would choose. Great views, nice wide trail.

My sons insisted that I come along too along with their father for this trail as it promised a beautiful view at the end of the hike....I am not much of a walker and so I was shying away from the trail! But am I glad that my sons coxed and cajoled me to walk with them atleast this once ! The trail was an easy hike though I must confess,I had to stop twice to catch my breath !! I continued till the end as I could see happy faces returning from the summit and now i was looking forward to the view.Lo and behold after walking for about half an hour we came to these beautiful boulders on the edge of the valley,giving us glorious views of the mountains and the rolling meadows below...what a beautiful sight it was ! Made me forget all my tiredness ..we sat on the rocks soaking in the beauty for a good 20 min.Then the walk back was easy peesy ...
Don't miss this one,its awesome !!!

We were a little past peak foliage, but the view was spectacular! The hike itself was easy and well marked. It was just the right distance for me - a senior citizen that is quite active. We went on a nice Saturday in early November. The park was very busy with a long line to get into the park. Parking was difficult to get for this popular hike, so go early.

It was a very short and enjoyable hike to see an amazing view. My son and I spent the weekend driving the entire Skyline Drive and stopping at various sites for day hikes. Stoney Man Mountain was definitely worth stopping for!

Stonyman is an easy hike to a beautiful westward outlook. It is a great place to watch the sunset. I am not a climber but climbers love it for its cliffs.

The trail is well marked and easy to find. The climb to the top is a gradual incline with only a few dips up and down. About 2/3 of the way to the top, you'll find the path blocked by large boulders. Look over your left shoulder and up the hill and you'll see the path continue. Near the top the path divides, go to your right and you'll find the summit is marked and the path markers change from Orange to White. You have maybe 1/4 mile to go to the top, where there is a nice look-out with great views on a clear day. Mountain Laurels in bloom in late May, early June was a plus on the trail.

The natural beauty is spectacular, and worth the hike. There are several ways to approach it, in walks that can take anywhere from a little over an hour to over 4 hours, so be sure to get a detailed map covering this particular area when you buy your ticket into Shenandoah Park (and pay attention to which trail you are on). The nearby Skyland Lodge is a great place for a cold post-hike beer!

Did this hike early in the morning and on a relatively cloudy day. The hike was fairly easy. Due to the fog, there was no view at the viewpoint but it was nonetheless amazing to stand surrounded by the clouds. Still worth the hike up despite the fog I'd say!

I hiked to the summit with my teenage daughter. We got up extra early so we could see the sunrise. It was totally worth it. This hike was relatively easy and trail that you could not get lost on. The views were stunning. Moon setting in the west, sun rising in the east. Any skill level could manage this trail. Do it!

This was my first time hiking in the mountains. I am from the Hampton Roads area where everything is flat. That being said, I found this trail to be pretty novice level, even though it gets slightly steep in a couple areas. This was definitely worth it, the views are spectacular!

Great hike through nice forest lands with a variety of flora. Some increase in elevation, but still an easy hike with a nice, relatively smooth trail. At the top, there is an excellent lookout over the Shenandoah Valley.

We did this quick and easy 1.3 mile hike from the Skyland parking in late March 2016. Nice views from the top with perfect cell phone reception!

A nice easy hike for the family. Our youngest is 9 & had no problem. The view is stunning & the rocks are easy to climb out on safely to sit. A great afternoon hike!

great short hike. very popular. had to step aside the trail bc of covid nice to see children with their parents making it up. it was rocky bc of the foot traffic. nice view at the top

We hiked this trail on a rainy, cold morning, and had the mountain all to ourselves. On a nice day the parking lot is full and I'm sure it is crowded at the top, so be prepared to share. It is an easy climb with only a few rocky areas.

This is one of the easiest yet rewarding hikes off of Skyline Drive. There are multiple trails and all of the endings have a great payoff.

I last took this trail from the Lodge at Skyland. It was chilly and wet with views disturbed by clouds. The trail was slick in places but I had no mishaps. I saw no other travelled until I took a return trip to the Lidge via the horse trail.

The ascent was steep in places but well within the range of this 67 year old occasional hiker. I walked in part of the Appalachian Trail to get there but the trails diverged about 1/4 of the way up.

There was great rock and vegetation on the way up. Trails had been angled to prevent heavy wash on the trail.

The summit was rocky but my view was kept local due to the fog yet it felt to be on top with no other visitors. Having a great hike to the summit so near a Lodge was terrific. Travel up and back was about one hour. There is a small circuit trail at the summit so you can do a loop. It also crosses a horse trail so you can return as I did with different scenery.

Beautiful fall day to hike Stony Man. A lot of people so wear a mask. Not too steep about 1.8 loop. You can also hike to Little Stony Man just a short distance away.

We did this hike to see the sunset and it did not disappoint. You want to leave before the sun goes down too far but it is a great easier hike that ends in a breathtaking view.

We have been visiting this national park for the last 8 years and since we have found this one, it has been our favorite! It is short for the best view we have found! The terrain is fairly groomed and I highly recommend!!!!

one of the most beautiful trails at the park...not to hard for kids to enjoy either. Definitely recommend this hike for everyone :)

Stony Man was an easy hike of 1.6 miles; it is the second highest peak in Shenandoah National Park at 4010 feet. We parked in the Stony Man parking area just inside the north entrance to Skyland at mile marker 41.7 on Skyline drive. The Stony Man viewing point is at Mile Marker 39.1. The hike starts on the AT with white blazes - when the AT turned to the right, we took the blue blazed trail to the top of Stony Man. We had a particularly lovely, early evening view. It was breezy and comfortable for July with only a few people along the trail and at the top.

This was a fun hike! The weather was in the upper 50's with the leaves still beautiful. The views at the top were worth the effort.

Nice easy hike with a wonderful view. Glad you took the time to stop. The hike to the summit is up hill so coming back out is an easier hike. It says that it is an hour long hike to it but it only took about 40 minutes round trip.

3 kids (9,10 and 13) with two adults hiked this trail. Spectacular views. We continued on part of the AT then onto the Passamaquoddy trail (our favorite) then back to Skyland via the horse trail. 3.3 miles total. A bit of elevation but the kids did great. Highly recommend.

The hike from the parking area is 300 ft up or so, not that strenuous Hike down tests your knees, CARRY a hiking pole. Beautiful views up at the top of Stony Man. I was surprised on the trip down that my knees were getting angry and was glad to have the trekking pole.

What a great intro to the Shenandoah National Park. The hike was a gradual, easy incline to a breathtaking summit and then looped back to origin. At a casual pace, it took less than an hour to complete.

WHAT A VIEW. Literally the highest point if not one of the highest. Incredible view. Pictures don’t do it justice. 3 peaks to look out from. Short and easy hike. We chose a super windy day to do it, but was well worth it when we got to the top.

This is the perfect hike... Not too long, Not too steep, and breathtaking view at the top! A lovely color brochure available at the parking lot accompanies numbered markers along the trail explaining the flora and geology along the trail.

Here you will find the best views on top of mountains in the US East Coast. Fresh Air, Plenty of beautiful scenic views and panoramic, Rivers, Water Falls it has it all include natural wild life yes they have Bears and Mountain Loin. I was there and watch the sunset. They have great hiking trails and some spots you have to hike to but it also has area to can just drive to for everyone for the ones that hate hiking to the ones that love to be in the woods.

A relatively easy hike/walk that ended with a magnificent view - at the top of the Shenandoah mountains. The vista also looks down on Little Stony Man - a little more aggressive hike and view.

Great hiking in Shenandoah, and this one is a must. Beautiful, not too strenuous, suitable for children.

The hike is easy enough; the view spectacular. Go for it! Use the trail guide to see details you otherwise would miss. Then do the overlook just north to see the Stony Man face. He's a legend not to be missed.

If you are a hiker this is a good one to take in. Challenging but not difficult with nice views. Very popular and understandable once you have completed it.

This is well worth the effort to get a spectacular view of the Shenandoah Valley. There is a steady climb, but it is a well marked and wide trail.

If you’re in average shape, this short hike is not very difficult and provides some beautiful Shenandoah scenery. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow. Located very near Skyland.

This was our first time at the park. It was rainy and foggy which was cool. We did find a window of opportunity to hike up and there was enough break to see the view and watch the clouds roll down. It didn’t take too long and we were able to say we hiked a portion of the AT. Hopefully our teenagers could be inspired to hike it someday! Check it out, you won’t be disappointed!

This is an easy to moderate hike of less than 2 miles. The path is lovely and the prize at the end is spectacular.

The hike isn’t flat but it is relatively easy for such a high & stunning viewpoint.
Well worth taking some time to sit on the rock & admire the beautiful view!
Car park is large, no facilities at this spot.

Easy hike, beautiful forest, great views of the mountains and the valleys, what is not to like. One of my all time favorite places to be.

Easy hike, clearly marked trail and not an intense incline. The view from the top is most certainly worth the effort! Can be done in less than two hours, depends on how long you want to spend at the top. Also, they have a horse trail that goes up there as well, so that's an option too

Great hike not hard at all went to see the waterfalls the hike in was all down hill so you know what that means the hike out is all up hill but worth it

This is a short hike up, but not too steep, considered easy according to park guide and I would agree. Just over a mile.
The views are amazing so you will likely spend more time at the top than getting there and back. I highly recommend this hike if you are not an experienced hiker but want to get out of the car and into this beautiful park!

I could not believe this hike was not in the National Park but glad to see in Luray. My daughter and I hiked this first thing on our last day of our trip. After rising an early drive from the Big Meadows Lodge where we saw some deer, we parked at the Stony Man lot adjacent to Skyland Lodge. There is another Stony Man lot northeast of the mountain. The hike is nearly the same distance but twice the elevation.

The hike leads through a nice forest before reaching the rocks at the top. Due to a late cool snap it was cold first thing in the morning and the trees had not fully leafed. The understory flowers and ferns were just emerging to make our hike more beautiful. You also get to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail here.

While the trail is nice, the highlight is the rocks and the view. At first they are hard to find but keep hiking out past the trees. Once to the rocks the views are spectacular. We were there in the 8-9 time frame on a cloudless morning and it was some of the best views we had on the trip. You overlook Skyland along with views across the valley including Luray. You then are free to walk other rocks at the top for other views, each impressive. For Shenandoah, this is the most impressive view for the least amount of hiking effort.

Finally either before or after your hike, drive north to Crescent Rock for great views of the Stony Man. On the rocks it is hard to see the face but from Crescent Rock it is totally evident.

Amazing views to the west (Shenandoah Valley) and back along the spine of the park. And with just a short walk to get there. Well worth making a stop and stretching the legs.

The views!!! Wow, oh Wow!!!! The hike to and from the outlook is only 1.6 miles. The first part of the hike is a little steep, but does not last for the whole hike. Trail is not paved and would not recommend anybody bring a stroller, unless it is outfitted for rocky trails( we saw someone with a normal stroller struggling). Views are just stunning. There is also a Passamaquoddy trail that is attached to the Stony Man trail, it offers incredible views as well and is about 3.5 miles. Both trails are worth the hike.

I really enjoyed this hike. The pace was leisurely. There were about 15 people in the group, families, people over 50, overweight and out of shape as well as young and fit. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. Ginny did a great job of giving historical as well as biological information while making it all interesting. Once at the top, she gave us options for returning to the starting point, including going back with her and exploring on our own. She took pictures for us on our phones/cameras, answered questions and was very friendly and knowledgable. I highly recommend the ranger led tours!

This is an easy hike for some great westward facing views. We visited in April and were surprised to find ourselves in a snow shower for our sunset hike!

My husband and I visited Shenandoah National Park for the first time in years and wanted to do a hike that wasn't too steep or long due to past ankle injuries. This was the perfect hike, we so enjoyed the view at the outlook and the hike itself was just fun and nice to see the park.

After a much longer hike the day before, we wanted a shorter, easier one for our last day. Since this one is right next to Skyland where we we're staying, it was perfect. In short, it is easy to find the trail head, there was ample parking (at 10am), and it was a pretty easy hike up to the best view I have seen yet in the park. All in all I think it took is about an hour round trip, with about 15 minutes standing at the top.
Highly recommended!