Heading up to Blackrock Summit for sunrise or sunset will provide hikers with unobstructed views of the colors in the sky as well as the lovely light as it spreads over the surrounding landscape, but this hike is also quite pretty at any other time of day as well. There are several route options for reaching the top, and both are under 2 miles in length. One goes out and back via the Appalachian Trail right to the summit for about a mile, and the other takes that way up but then meanders down the Blackrock Spur Trail for a slightly longer 1.6-mile trip. Blackrock Summit is located in Shenandoah National Park, which is open year round, but the road to the trailhead – Skyline Drive – is sometimes closed during inclement winter weather.

Blackrock Summit Trailhead, Appalachian Trail, Virginia

Bearfence Blackrock Summit Chester Gap to Harpers Ferry Cole Mountain Crabtree Falls Damascus to Marion Dark Hollow Falls and Rose River Falls Dragon's Tooth False Cape State Park Great Falls Park House Mountain Humpback Rocks Lewis Springs Falls Limberlost Mary's Rock McAfee Knob Mount Rogers Old Rag Overall Run Falls and Twin Falls Peaks of Otter Roanoke to Rockfish Sharp Top Trail Spy Rock Stony Man Trail White Rock Falls

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