A waterfall in Whiteoak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park, Va. (Compass Points Media / flickr)
You can cite black bears and quiet mountain views for what makes Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia great. I’d advocate for waterfalls.
Shenandoah’s deep mountain folds harbor some of the most magnificent wilderness cascades you can find, and perhaps the most famous is the watery loop linking the Cedar Run and Whiteoak Canyon trails.
The trip ends with an upper deck view of Upper Whiteoak Canyon Falls, the second tallest in Shenandoah at 86 feet. Take note, though: You’re going to earn the view of these waterfalls. The trip takes about 8 miles, dropping 2,200 feet off the Blue Ridge only to regain that elevation before returning to your car. It’s a quad bustin’ calf rippin’ good time.
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: Down you go. The blue-blazed Cedar Run Trail drops immediately from Skyline Drive into a deep ravine carved by its namesake stream. Cross Cedar Run at 1.4 miles after meeting several small cascades, then arrive at Upper Cedar Run Falls (34 feet) with its deep green pool. The trail continues to descend, but several waterfalls can only be partially viewed from the trail due to the foliage. Cross Cedar Run one more time at 2.28 miles, then follow the trail until you arrive at a junction.
Lower Whiteoak Canyon Falls, in Shenandoah NP Va. (Compass Points Media / flickr)
Follow the Link Trail to the left, which easily takes you to Whiteoak Canyon after 0.8 miles. Cross the river on a series of boulders, then turn left to ascend the Whiteoak Canyon Trail.
The trail moves up the canyon in unrelenting fashion, but the payoff is a series of towering, camera-ready waterfalls. Up it continues for 1.6 miles until it arrives at a rock outcrop above Upper Whiteoak Canyon Falls.
A third of a mile later, cross the river, again, and hook up with the yellow-blazed Whiteoak Canyon Fire Road. The road meanders uphill for 725 feet over 1.66 miles until you turn left onto the Big Meadows-Skyland Horse Trail. That path takes you back to your car in just 0.68 mile.
View Cedar Run-Whiteoak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park, Va. in a larger map
