Skyline Drive

 Mile-By-Mile Guide

Virginia

Mile 31.5 Thornton Gap is one of the major entrances to the park, for U.S. 211 from Warrenton to Luray crosses Skyline Drive here. Park rangers at the entrance station can answer your questions and give other assistance. Park headquarters is four miles west on U.S. 211.

Mile 32.4 Marys Rock Tunnel, built in 1932, goes through 600 feet of rock with a 13-foot clearance.

Mile 36.7 Pinnacles beckons picnickers, even in rainy weather, for there is a shelter. Access to Appalachian Trail.

Mile 38.6 Stony Man peak is straight ahead as you enter the overlook from the north. Across the valley is Massanutten Mountain.

Mile 39.1 Little Stony Man Cliffs can be reached by a round trip hike of 0.9 mile from the parking area. Access to Appalachian Trail.

Mile 41.7 & 42.5 Skyland, at 3,680 feet, is the highest point on the Drive and one of the primary tourist facility stops. Naturalist George Freeman Pollock, who built Skyland resort in the 1890', was a major proponent for establishing the park. Lodge, dining room, gift shop, riding horses, Stony Man Nature Trail and other trails, conducted hikes, and evening programs.

Mile 42.6 Whiteoak Canyon boasts six waterfalls. A trail, 5 miles round trip, leads to them and to the Limberlost, an area of large hemlocks. Unfortunately, the hemlocks are quickly dying because of wooly adegid infestation. All the hemlocks in the park are predicted to be dead within 5 years. There is also the new Handicap Trail located in this area, which was completed in fall of 1994.

Mile 43 Robertson Mountain, a 6.2 mile round-trip trail to a scenic rocky summit in Shenandoah National Park. Relatively easy and doable for children, a good spot to stop along the road.

Mile 44.4 Crescent Rock  25 yards from the Drive, provides the best view of Hawksbill Mountain. Another trail leads to Betty's Rock, 0.6 mile round trip.

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