Old Dominion Wildlife

The Hickerson Hollow Trail is relatively close to the northern entrance of Shenandoah National Park at Front Royal.  The trail begin at Lands Run Gap near Skyline Drive milepost 9.  The Hickerson Hollow Trail is fairly steep, like many other trails leading from Skyline Drive down the ridge to the edge of the park.  As the trail leads downward, little streams merge together to create a pleasant scene. In the winter, you may also notice old stone walls from an earlier time.

Horses are permitted on the trail, so be sure to yield the right-of-way to equestrians and watch your step.

Hiking Options

The trail is just a little over a mile long for a quick roundtrip taking about an hour or so.

Alternatively, a seven mile circuit can be made by continuing on Rte 600 at the bottom of the trail, taking a right on Rte 604, and another right on Rte 601 to a trailhead.  From the trailhead on Rte 601, a side trail leads to the Appalachian Trail.  A right turn on the Appalachian Trail takes you past the Tom Floyd Wayside (overnight shelter and campsite) and the scenic Possums Rest Overlook.  One more right turn on the Dickey Ridge Trail will take you past the Fort Windham Rocks formation and back to Lands Run Gap.

Resources

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club offers a detailed guide to the trails in Shenandoah National Park, which includes three maps covering the entire park.  These trails are contained in the North District of SNP, PATC Map 9.