A waterfall tumbles in Whiteoak Canyon, Va. (Compass Points Media / flickr)
Shenandoah National Park, Va., has a well-earned reputation for shadowy ravines where hikers can discover wild waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. This hardy 7.6-mile loop takes you to two of the park’s best canyons teeming with cascades.
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LOCATION: Shenandoah National Park, Central District, Va.
LENGTH: 7.6 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: Lose 2,180 feet over the first three miles; gain it all back on the return.
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous due to descent of Cedar Run and unrelenting ascent of Whiteoak Canyon.
MAP: Potomac Appalachian Mountain Club. Shenandoah National Park Central District. $7.
DIRECTIONS: Find the trail head for Cedar Run between Skyline Drive’s mile markers 45 and 46 about two hours from Washington, D.C. The small parking lot is along the northbound lane.
HIKE ON:
View Cedar Run-Whiteoak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park, Va. in a larger map
CWO 001: Parking lot between Skyline Drive Mile Markers 45 and 46. Trail leads southeast down into Cedar Run ravine (N38 33.356 W78 23.198).
CWO 002: At trail junction with horse path, go right with blue blazes (N38 33.347 W78 23.155).
CWO 003: Reach Cedar Run and a small pool. Spy several small cascades during the next mile (N38 33.151 W78 22.842).
CWO 004: Waterfall and pool. Cross Cedar Run (N38 32.588 W78 22.167).
Lower Whiteoak Canyon Falls, Va.
CWO 005: Upper Cedar Run Falls with deep pool. Waterfall is 34 feet high (N38 32.562 W78 22.079).
CWO 006: Another waterfall with deep pool (N38 32.274 W78 21.749).
CWO 007: Cross Cedar Run at waterfall (N38 32.224 W78 21.570).
CWO 008: Arrive at trail junction sign post. Go left at fork with blue blazes. Trail to right leads 0.6 mile to parking lot (N38 32.261 W78 21.416).
CWO 009: Cross river on boulders. Meet Whiteoak Canyon Trail on the other side. Turn left (N38 32.878 W78 21.197).
CWO 010: Arrive at large pool with small waterfall (N38 32.964 W78 21.216).
CWO 011: Arrive at the base of Lower Whiteoak Canyon Falls (N38 33.297 W78 21.117).
CWO 012: Closer view of Lower Whiteoak Canyon Falls (N38 33.339 W78 21.172).
CWO 013: View down Whiteoak Canyon at steep rock face (N38 33.462 W78 21.253).
CWO 014: View of waterfall (N38 33.548 W78 21.425).
CWO 015: Picturesque view of waterfalls (N38 33.628 W78 21.506).
CWO 016: Rock outcrop above Upper Whiteoak Falls, 86 feet high (N38 33.637 W78 21.549).
CWO 017: Turn left at junction with fire road. Cross river and follow Whiteoak Fire Road (yellow blazes) (N38 33.795 W78 21.798).
CWO 018: Arrive at junction with Big Meadows-Skyland Horse Trail. Turn left with yellow blazes (N38 33.373 W78 22.596).
CWO 019: Arrive back at parking lot (N38 33.355 W78 23.200).
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