Old Rag Hike in Shenandoah: What You Should Know

In the Shenandoah Valley, the Old Rag Hike is known as the banner hike. It's a small mountain with crowds and lines, and it demands a rock scramble that has some difficulty and results in some injuries due to hikers attempting it at sunrise. Still, anyone that is sure footed can accomplish this half day hike in the national park - and we'll give you a look at some things you need to know, like the parking situation, the difficulty of the trail, and how to avoid the crowd and lines without being too dangerous.
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#hiking #shenandoah #virginia #oldrag

[@joseantoniosanchez9057]

DO NOT TAKE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES!!! DO NOT SUGGEST DEVIATING FROM TRAILS!!! I cannot stress this enough. You're messing up the landscape for one, you're also encouraging people to take pitentially riskier lines leading to more of those rescues (ironic). This is one of the reasons they've started doing tickets to hike. Please hike responsibly. Stay on the trail.

[@Zig_Was_Here]

My guy doesn’t strike me as someone who listens to reason when faced with the need to be patient. But yeah, you are 100% correct. Stay on the trail.

[@itypethetruthnobshere8975]

BETAS!

[@RandomGuy-yq2qw]

Yes ..please We encountered a bear that was way too close. Try to stay with the crowd

[@loganmanley4680]

Don’t listen to these guys, the NPS specifically asks you to stay on the trail because of endangered plants.

[@hexxmp4152]

I’m 12 and I hiked to the summit and down with my dad, I had no idea how long and fun it would be, by far one of my favorite hikes I’ve ever done

[@ruinerfixxxer]

Just hiked it. (Late March). Wasn't crowded at all. Only about 230 tickets were sold. Got stopped by a ranger on the decent and asked if we had day passes. Weird. Those "rock scrambles" are a bit more aggressive than you think. If you can't climb, you're going to have to turn around near the summit.

[@jimchumley7907]

I'm 63 and when me and a high school buddy hiked Old Rag in the late 70's we usually sayed 3 days outside. One such trip my buddy took me about 5 miles on the other side of the mountain down old Native American trails and took me to an ancient Native American burial ground. Only he knew where this was. I never hear of anyone mentioning this. And this is the truth.

[@hellotheremyolfriend]

give me coordinates and I shall go please

[@HikerJoe]

So many Old Rag videos lately. Love Old Rag, great film making btw

[@jimedson9317]

I always hike it in winter during week no crowds.

[@bradyemerson7888]

Bringing back memories from the times I summited this peak twice in a week when I was 10 years old

[@Zig_Was_Here]

My guy is a narcissist & not self aware. And has found himself a few followers to keep his bubble safely intact.

[@BottomLineUpFront]

Okay “Ziggy” 🤣

[@Zig_Was_Here]

@@BottomLineUpFront, you aren’t special bro. There is a right way to climb this mountain, don’t veer off the trail, while hiking a National Park Trail. But I’m sure you think the rules don’t apply to you. You obviously can’t be bothered with patience or have enough foresight to plan a trip when the trail is less crowded. You keep helping to ruin the park/amenity for everyone else while saving yourself a few minutes. Thanks

[@BottomLineUpFront]

It’s Old Rag, not one of the 7 peaks (which I’ve climbed). Take a chill pill “bro”

[@Zig_Was_Here]

@@BottomLineUpFront, oh, I had no idea you were such an elite and experienced climber, you definitely aren’t obligated to any rules or etiquette on hiking trails. We should be so lucky to have you grace the trail!

[@BottomLineUpFront]

You do realize every comment, even a thumbs down, helps my videos via the YT algorithm? I’m just here baiting you, not taking you seriously at all, and you are falling for it my man 🥸

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

I hiked it in December 2021 without the crowds. I can't believe the crowds you encountered. I guess that's why they are going to tickets. Great video!

[@fredbrackely]

I remember hiking this back in 1996. In particular a kid crying his eyes out coming up through the chimney. You see, the kid was in a backpack carrier on his dads back. Unbeknownst to dad, every step he made the kid smacked his head on the rocks above. I had to tell him to get the kid out.

[@guts4brekfest]

Omg. I used to hike Old Rag all the time but I've never seen it as crowded as it was in this video!

[@BottomLineUpFront]

It was nuts!!

[@HonJazzz]

Great documentary about your day hiking! Thanks for sharing.

[@3ubED]

Was this filmed October 17th? I was at the first section of the scramble when a rescue helicopter was circling the summit. Always a great hike up Old Rag. Thanks for the video.

[@Shirlthegirl]

OMG how disappointing to see how overcrowded! This makes me so sad. I used to live near Old Rag and have been across it maybe a dozen times dayhiking and threaded into backpacking trips. There used to be just 2 small parking spots near the trailhead, maybe 10 - 20 cars max, and I never saw them full. Have hiked in snow when there were just a few people on the mountain. Glad to see this video though, because now I know to not bother hiking it again except maybe in the winter when wiser folks are elsewhere.

[@samn5873]

Do you mind sharing if this was a week day or weekend? And it appears like sunrise when you arrive, correct? We are traveling from MI in June and plan to come on a weekday at 6-7 am for this hike to avoid crowds, any thoughts on time/day & June weather would be helpful

[@BottomLineUpFront]

This was on a weekend, which is why it's so crazy crowded. We think the crowds were excessive because the leaves were changing colors, but during June you might not see crowds like this, especially if on a weekday. Weather will be warm/hot, but nothing oppressive, and getting started early in the morning should help with that. I hope you get to do the hike!

[@NickandRachel]

It's so beautiful out there! Thanks for sharing

[@RandomGuy-yq2qw]

I did this hike once ...will not be a 2nd . My legs were done the next day .

[@HistoryNerd8765]

It's an absolute bitch of a hike, but it's worth it.

[@SP-qo1so]

Hiked it today and really hoofed it.. completed in just over three hours. Body is feeling every bit of it but it was amazing. I saw some kook hiking up the back with those dollar store shower flip flops in an aqua color. Who thinks it’s a good idea to hike in foam flip flops???

[@BroadwayPhoenix]

I went this Tuesday alone. Definitely not recommended. I started at 8:30 AM, saw only 5 groups in 7 hrs. No rangers. I am an avid hiker and it was a bit alarming to do the rock scramble at 5 ft tall without anyone around.

[@BroadwayPhoenix]

However, now one of my favorite hikes. If I can go back one day, I will. ❤️❤️

[@patrick4662]

wait I am confused... so you would recommend it or you wouldn't?

[@larainesc1831]

Do you have the location of the free parking?

[@BottomLineUpFront]

It’s on the only road approaching the hike, you will see it!

[@eliolsson]

I have never hiked Old Rag during the day, I’m too impatient haha. I always arrived at the parking lot at 2:00am to watch the sunrise at the top.

[@BottomLineUpFront]

That would be epic- we’ve heard there is a new ticket policy for the hike, maybe getting there early would circumvent that? Then again, like in the video, someone started early in the dark and had an accident, thus the airlift helicopter 🚁

[@jamessills5802]

Best way to do Old Rag is up and down the scramble.

[@ProfessionalDad]

How long to the top?

[@BottomLineUpFront]

3-5 hours depending on how crowded it is and your fitness.

[@bigdogoutdoors4985]

You should have called! I live a couple of miles away and could have dropped you off. I’ve literally hiked it dozens of times! Great videos!

[@BottomLineUpFront]

Oh no way! That’s got to be super easy for you to beat the crowds then 😎

[@bigdogoutdoors4985]

Was this a weekend crowd or during the week?

[@BottomLineUpFront]

This was on a Saturday!

[@bigdogoutdoors4985]

@@BottomLineUpFront Fall, beautiful colors, not too cold always crowded everywhere around here!

[@noelsvt3356]

Yeah some people do not like to be passed by and even worse passed off trail, and some people are just meh Sometimes I wait a little depending on how bad really need that break, but most times I just find the best way to pass w/o interfering on anyone's Best time yet is 2hrs and 34min (today Friday July 30)

[@BottomLineUpFront]

That’s fast! And yea, people looked at us funny, but we didn’t interfere with anyone waiting in line haha 😂

[@Meanderthal61]

Do the hiking community a favor and learn trail etiquette.

[@ryanlikeshiking]

This video was a bit dramatic

[@BottomLineUpFront]

Yep

[@isaacjamesbaker]

Old rag is so great but so full of kooks. Can't help loving it though

[@hgdoggy]

Are there bathrooms anywhere or do we just owe our pants?? 😕

[@BottomLineUpFront]

Bathrooms at the start only 😶

[@hgdoggy]

@@BottomLineUpFront thank you!

[@vitaminb4869]

So many people with no imagination of where to go other than this same beat up place.

[@BottomLineUpFront]

This is the best hiking within the local area. It's not a lack of imagination, more of convenience, that's all.

[@vitaminb4869]

@@BottomLineUpFront pretty sure if you go to the nearest mall it'll be better, with more solitude.