The Appalachian Trail moves north out of the SNP and passes under I66 at Manassas Gap. This is a moderate to easy 5 mile hike that ventures into the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area before turning around at the Manassas Gap Shelter. With a steady climb at the beginning of the hike you still get a decent workout with over 1,000ft of vertical gain. Also pass Barringer Point lookout with wooden bench that makes for a nice break along the hike.
Mile 0.0 – From the parking area on VA725 head north on the white blazed Appalachian Trail (AT) and immediately cross a wooden footbridge over the only stream on the hike. The AT climbs over the first rise making a couple of switchbacks, then descends and crosses a small stream before climbing the steepest section of the hike. Make several more switchbacks and level off at the intersection of the overlook trail.
Mile 0.7 - Turn right on the blue blazed overlook trail for 120 feet to Barringer Point and view towards Hardscrabble Mountain. Return to the AT and continue north. The AT will shortly start climbing the ridge again and pass 2 sections of rock wall used by farmers to contain livestock. Continue along the AT and arrive at yellow markings on trees either side of the trail.
Mile 1.8 - The yellow markings designate the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area boundary. Continue along the AT for another 0.6 miles to the intersection of the Ted Lake Trail.
Mile 2.4 - Turn right staying on the white blazed AT, then shorty turn right again at the sign for Manassas Gap Shelter. Follow the side trail to the shelter.
Mile 2.5 - At the shelter there is a trail on the right leading to a spring. Turn around and retrace your route back to the parking area on VA725.
Mile 5.0 - Arrive back at the AT parking area on VA725.
Late March
Manassas Gap Hike Comments
Archived Comments
By:Melissa C
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, August 25, 2018
We got onto the trail before 730AM. We were the only people the entire hike up. We saw 3 couples on the hike down.
This was a great hike. As an out of shape, slow hiker - I liked that the first half is mostly uphill - ending with downhill the second leg.
Not the most spectacular hike, but it was just what I needed. There is a lot of coverage to keep you out of direct sun.
By:aldikuma
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 22, 2016
Nice hike, but don't expect to be alone, especially on the weekends (it is the AT after all!). It was pouring rain today and I still came across at least a dozen people, so if you like solitude, find another hike. I really needed to hike and only had a few hours to do it - this hike ended up being perfect. A steady uphill heading in with some dips downhill, with a few short steep parts. If you are new to hiking, this would be a great one to try. Only one sort of decent view from an open area. Pretty trail.
Thanks as always to HU for posting these hikes and continuing to post new ones! :)
By:Mike S
Rating:
Date of Hike: Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Great Hike, but the elevation map shown here is completely wrong. As you can see on the Topo map, it is almost all uphill (going north) with just a little downhill at the end. Hiking back is nearly all downhill.
Great as an overnight camping trip with a relatively short hike. I did it with teens and pre-teens and they liked it.
