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Bears Den and Sam Moore Shelter Hike

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Distance:
6.1 Miles / 9.8 km
Type:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Moderate
Time to Hike:
3 hours, ~5 minutes
Features:
Appalachian Trail hike
Surface Type:
Dirt
Town:
Bluemont, Virginia
Get Directions:
39.110177, -77.853978
Added:
April 03, 2025
Updated:
April 06, 2025
Guide by:
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598'

Total Change
1,967'

Ascent
1,964'

Descent

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Key Takeaways

  • The Bears Den and Sam Moore Shelter hike is a 6.1-mile roundtrip on the Appalachian Trail near Bluemont, VA, featuring an overlook, stream crossings, and campsites.
  • The trail is considered challenging due to its "roller-coaster" nature with rocky and steep sections, including a significant 530-foot ascent.
  • Reliable water sources and established campsites are available, particularly near Spout Run and at the Sam Moore Shelter, making it suitable for overnight backpacking trips.

Bears Den and Sam Moore Shelter Hike

This can be a challenging hike along the 'roller-coaster' section of the Appalachian Trail in Northern Virginia. The hike starts out with an expansive view to the west from the Bears Den Overlook then heads south on the Appalachian Trail passing over several ridges on the way to the Sam Moore Shelter in 3.3 miles. There are three campsites along the route, with the best next to Spout Run with enough space to accommodate several tents. There is also a large tent camping area at the shelter with several fire rings.

Other popular hikes in the immediate area are: Raven Rocks, Ashby Hollow, Hollow Brook, and the short Bears Den Overlook hike from the Snickers Gap/Rt. 7 commuter lot. This hike can also be completed starting from the commuter lot at Snickers Gap/Rt. 7 then heading south on the Appalachian Trail. This will add an additional 1.4 miles/230ft, making for a hike total 8.0 miles/2,010ft.

  • Mile 0.0 - From the Bears Den Trail Center parking area start up the gravel road and immediately stay left at the stone wall following the blue blazed connector trail. The trail leads to the Bears Den Overlook and intersection with the white blazed Appalachian Trail.

  • Mile 0.2 - At the intersection with the Appalachian Trail descend to the right and Bears Den Overlook. From the overlook the view westward is of the Winchester valley and the Shenandoah River. Return back to the intersection with the connector trail then descend southwards on the white blazed Appalachian Trail. The trail is rocky and steep, making several switchbacks.

  • Mile 0.9 - Pass a campsite on your right, then cross a small wooden footbridge over the first of several streams. The A.T. will pass over several small ridges then descend to Spout Run.

  • Mile 2.0 - Arrive at Spout Run where there is a large campsite area suitable for multiple tents next to the stream. Spout Run is very rarely dry, so this campsite is reliable to have a water source. Cross Spout Run and climb the longest ascent of the hike. Gain 530 vertical feet on the way to the hilltop. You'll know you're at the ridge when the trail passes through two large boulders.

  • Mile 2.8 - At the top of the hill there is another large campsite with an obstructed view to the southwest. This campsite does not have a water source. Descend through a rocky area then in 0.4 miles reach the final stream crossing on the way out. In spring and summer a large number of Green Corn Lilly's grow around the stream. Cross the stream, and arrive at the intersection with the Sam Moore Shelter connector trail.

  • Mile 3.2 - Turn left and follow the blue blazed connector trail 0.1 miles to the shelter.

  • Mile 3.3 - Arrive at the Sam Moore Shelter and camping/picnic area. At the shelter there is also a day use covered picnic table, privy 70 yards behind the shelter, and just on the other side of the shelter, next to the stream, a large tent camping area with its own fire ring. Return to Bears Den via the same route on the A.T.

  • Mile 6.1 - Arrive back at the Bears Den Trail Center parking area.

Explore 38 trails near Bluemont, VA
  1. Parking

    39.110177, -77.853978
  2. Main Trailhead

    39.110177, -77.853978
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

Hazards

Ticks - Lyme Disease More Info (CDC)
Snakes
Poison Ivy/Oak

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Blaze Color

White

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Trip Reports (Reviews)

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Rated 3.5 out of 5 based on 10 ratings.
By: MountainLaurel
6.1 miles / 9.8 km
June 16, 2019
Echoing the previous reviewer...I'm giving this hike a 4 because it was very difficult, which was what I needed, but not spectacularly beautiful, as many others have said. As I was looking for a bit more mileage, I started from the parking lot out on 7, which connects to the AT from a blue-blazed connector trail, then headed south on the white blazed AT to the Bear's Den overlook. I am training for a long-distance hike where I am expecting ~3k ft of elevation change daily, and I felt like this was good preparation for that, but I didn't find the views outstanding. There are a few pretty creeks along the way. Others have said mostly the same thing. I wouldn't call any part of this hike "technical", but you do need to be sure-footed and pay attention to where you're stepping, as there are several portions where you will be walking from rock to rock. I saw about 20 thru hikers but only maybe 2-3 other day hikers on the trail (once past Bear's Den, that is). Overall, a good training hike. Bring your trekking poles (I regret not bringing mine).
Legacy Review
By: Ubikwity
6.1 miles / 9.8 km
December 30, 2018
I know this trail well. It's best enjoyed by those doing training work, for the steep hills and rocky terrain present an excellent challenge. For those infrequent/ casual hikers just out for a walk in the woods, I'd say it'd be very difficult and not all that enjoyable. There really are no views (the one at Buzzard Hill is okay, not spectacular) and really you'll be looking down the majority of the time as foot placement is critical. The trail can be icy and covered with leaves in the winter, so be careful. FYI, for a bonus 1.5 mile and 400 ft elevation gain, you can also start at the lot on route 7, immediately on the right before driving up to the lot at Bears Den.
Legacy Review
By: Stephanie
6.1 miles / 9.8 km
July 08, 2018
My husband and I chose to do this hike for training purposes - we needed hills and elevation gain and this definitely delivered. The trail is very well marked and you're on the AT pretty much the whole way, except the very beginning (the short walk from the parking area), and the side trail to the overlook. Luckily, we had a break from the heat wave this weekend, which made it a perfect day to get this hike in (I would NOT complete it on a hot and humid day if I ever had a choice). There was plenty of shade and a nice breeze the whole time. We passed about 10-15 people hiking throughout the day, mostly in the afternoon (a mix of day hikers and some AT section or thru-hikers). We started at 8am and walked off trail at 2:30pm - so it took us 6.5 hours (including the ~30 minutes for lunch at the overlook). For reference, we are both in our early 30s and in good physical condition. Don't let this hike scare you into not doing it. Just do your research and come prepared - and know/be honest about your limits. Personal opinion - slow and steady wins the race on this one...especially in the areas where it is rockier (ankles injuries won't get you a speed record). Trekking poles will help both with ascending and descending (which you'll do plenty of). Take breaks, bring 2-3 liters of water like others have mentioned (we drank 1.5 gallons between the two of us), and be sure to reward yourself at the end. There's a bunch of wineries in the area off of route 7 (or do what we did - we stopped at the Hill Hill Market and grabbed two slices of pie from Mom's Apple Pie). Finally, a shout out to the ATC, PATC and Bear's Den Lodge - what a beautiful property. We didn't go inside the lodge or use anything but the parking area...but man, it was impressive anyway. We hope to return sometime soon for an overnight on the trail that will involve a return to this beautiful spot. Happy hiking!
Legacy Review

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In Bluemont, VA

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