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Description: This is a 13.3 mile strenuous circuit hike (14.5 with the side trip to Big Devils Stairs) in the Shenandoah National Park, VA. The degree of difficulty is based more on the length and less on the elevation gain (1000 feet over the first 3.5 4.0 miles). The climbs are steep in only a couple of places. Westward views are had on both North and South Marshall Mountains. A side trip down to an overlook of Big Devils Stairs is well worth the effort on a clear day. Just remember you have to climb back up! The trails are well maintained. While the going may be slow for the first 5 miles a good pace can be maintained for the last 8-9 miles. This can be done as a day trip or an over night backpack. Camping is allowed at the Gravel Spring shelter by permit only. I've not checked them out but there are supposed to be tent sites a short walk away. The PATC recommends allowing 7.5 hours for the root trip. We did the entire trip in 6 hours and 15 minutes including lunch because of the foul weather. If the skies are clear you may want to allow extra time to adsorb the views at the overlooks.

Hike begins in a parking lot on the west side of Skyline Dr between mile marker 12 and 13.

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Trail Notes: Find the AT sign post in the left corner of the parking lot and proceed downhill. Shortly come to another signpost. Yellow blazed Jenkins Gap Trail and the AT north goes right. White blazed AT south goes left. Bear left and climb. After reaching the crest of the first hill descend to and cross Skyline Drive at 1.64 miles.

Begin a gradual climb up the back of North Marshall Mountain. At about 1.7 miles from crossing the drive reach the crest of the mountain and an overlook. Descend, steeply at first, and cross Skyline Drive for a second time (2.05 miles from the previous crossing).

At about one mile from the last crossing reach the summit of South Marshall Mt and more views. Descend to Skyline Drive a third and final time at 1.57 miles from the last crossing.

Walk across the Gravel Springs parking lot. A yellow blazed trail (Harris Hollow Tr?) is to the left. Take the AT on the right. At a fork the AT will go right and blue blazed Bluff Trail goes left. Follow Bluff trail down to a trail intersection. Gravel Spring Shelter is to the right. Turn left to continue on.

Immediately come to another fork. Bear right on now yellow blazed Bluff Trail. As you switchback down the hill for a bit pass a Horse Trail on the left. At the last left switchback, Harris Hollow Trail goes straight. Make the left switchback following the sign that states "Big Devil's Stairs - 1.3 miles".

In 1.3 miles arrive at the junction with Big Devil's Stairs Tr on the right. If you wish to visit Big Devil's Stairs turn right here and follow the blue blazed trail approximately 0.55 miles. The trail will continue further down through the ravine but is blocked by private property at the park's boundary. At 0.55 there is a bit of an overlook that allows you to view the ravine. From this point retrace your route back to Bluff Trail and turn right.

In 3.27 miles reach Mount Marshall Trail. Stay straight to continue northward on Mount Marshall Trail. Cross 3 streams and begin a gradual climb. At 2.37 miles from the last trail intersection arrive at Skyline Drive. Turn right, passing Jenkins Gap Overlook, and turn left into the parking lot.

Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes Read about our scouting trip Read about our latest trip there.

Critique This Outing

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Name: Laurie Hike: AT/Bluff Trail Loop
Date: 9/13/08 Rating: 3

Critique: Hiked this loop and as suggested by the Park Ranger to camp near the entrance to Big Devil Stairs where there are a couple sights already cleared for tents. Saw lots of animal droppings and only sighted 1 deer. Not much for views, might be more scenic after leaves fall. Trail was pretty rocky and it had rained Saturday night which made for slippery walking.

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Name: Matt Hike: AT/ Bluff Trail Loop
Date: 08-02-2008 Rating: 4

Critique: I didn't do this entire loop. I only hiked the first section of the Appalachian Trail up to Mt Marshall and back as a short day trip. I just wanted to note that I encountered 3 bears while hiking this short section. There was lots of evidence of recent bear activity along the AT (scat, berry bushes, overturned rocks, etc). I just wanted to make a note of the recent bear activity in that area for anyone considering this hike.

Even though I didn't do the entire loop, I enjoyed this portion a lot. The views from Mt Marshall are great. I hope to go back and do the entire loop sometime later this year.

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Name: Cory Hike: AT/Bluff Trail Loop
Date: 8/25/07 Rating: 4

Critique: This was my longest hike to date. The Shenandoah National Park is quite a drive from Alexandria but well worth it. I was surprised by the $15.00 entrance fee to the park (gets you a 7-day pass) and wasn't too happy with the fact there was no lower fee for day users. That makes it for an expensive hike if you only go for the day like I did. Next time I'll stay down and do a few hikes. The hike itself was great. While hiking I came across a female black bear with two cubs. They were very close to the trail (about 3 miles into it near Marshall Mountain) but posed no threat to me. She simply walked off when I froze. I saw bear scat (both fresh and older) and signs of bears feeding on insects throughout the length of the hike. Also saw some deer later on in the hike. Overall was very exciting. I wouldn't recommend this hike to anyone who is out of shape (like me) as the last 4 miles of the hike were a challenge. I was very glad to have completed it and will actually do it again. One note...make sure you bring plenty of water. There is no source of clean water and I met a trio of young hikers who were out. I ended up giving them some of mine....later wishing badly I had not (it was 100 deg and very humid when I went). It took me 5.5 hrs to complete the base circuit.

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Name: ElliottsKnob Hike: AT-Bluff Trail Loop w/ Big Devil's Stairs
Date: Winter of 2000 Rating: 5

Critique: See http://members.aol.com/RKirchman/index15.html. Big Devil's Staircase is a great bushwhack for hearty souls. I have not been in a while but your description has me thinking of a return!________________________________________

Name: Michael Eckert Hike: AT-Bluff loop-Big Devils
Date: 9/29/06 Rating: 5

Critique: Nice long hike with several gradual ascents. Nice views at many points on the hike. Leaves are changing with an estimate of about 10-15 percent mixed and the rest still green.

Would highly recommend the trail to the overlook of Big Devils Staircase. The views were great.

I wish people hiking with dogs would make an effort to pull their dogs off the trail when they have to poop. I will be following up with a letter to SNP as this seems to becoming a problem.

Personally, I would never bring a dog on a hike in the park. Only bad things can happen when a deer/bear crosses your path.

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Name: Jeff Schneider Hike: AT/Bluff Loop
Date: March 12 2006 Rating: 3

Critique: This is a nice loop if you're looking for a long hike with little elevation gain. As stated on the site, experienced hikers will barely notice any ascents. Also, unlike many hikes in Shenandoah, there aren't any spectacular overlooks.

With this considered, the half mile in/out to Big Devils Stairs is highly recommended. This gives a bit of elevation change, and a some nice big overhanging rocks, which provide a decent view.

Trails are very well maintained, wide in most areas. Not very rocky, stream crossings are barely noticeable.

I've noticed a few people say that the last half of this hike is rather boring. I disagree - I didn't see any other hikers on the Mt. Marshall trail (which is very exciting to me!) and the walks on the ridge, with the streams below were pretty scenic.

Another good thing about this hike is that it isn't too far away from the D.C. area.

Another recommendation - read the March 9th 2006 entry in the Gravel Springs Hut journal.

http://www.marylandoutdoorclub.org/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=513

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Name: Dale Hike: Appalachian Trail-Bluff Trail Loop
Date: 6/26/2005 Ranking: 5

comment: A couple of corrections. Big Devil's Stair trail is 1.70 miles to the bottom (not .55) and I would like to make it very clear that anyone with bad knees/hips or who is afraid of heights should NOT start this trail. My wife and I had to "rescue" a lady who got on the overlook rock and completely froze up.

M.R. Hyker notes: The Trail Notes here describe the first 0.55 miles of Big Devil's Stairs Tr down to the first overlook. The continuation of the trail ,or about 1.25 miles, is mentioned butis not discussed. The loop as described here w/o the side trip down BDS is hard enough. Adding the short descent and climb back up makes this a very challenging trip. I commend Dale and his wife.

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