Dickey Ridge Hike
One of the northernmost hikes in the Shenandoah National Park, this hike is a combination of the short family friendly Fox Hollow loop, and the Snead Farm Loop and Dickey Ridge trails. Highlights include views from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, Fox Family Cemetery, Snead Farm ruins, FAA Linden VOR transmission tower, and the expansive vista southwest from the Dickey Ridge Trail just below Dickey Hill. With less than a 1000ft of total ascent, as well as nice wide trails, this is a pleasant loop that can be accomplished by most hikers in just a few hours.- Mile 0.0 - From the parking area walk back to the front of the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center then cross Skyline Drive. At the field stay left where the Dickey Ridge Trail post marker is located at the treeline. Follow the Dickey Ridge Trail north for 0.2 miles to the intersection of the Fox Hollow Trail.
-
Mile 3.33 - Turn right downhill for 0.1 miles to the Fox Family Cemetery. Soon pass a spring, then in another 100 yards the trail crosses a stream and heads back uphill. Follow the trail for 0.6 miles back to the bottom of the clearing and intersection of the Dickey Ridge Trail.
If you are only hiking the Fox Hollow circuit head uphill back to Skyline Drive and the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.
- Mile 1.3 - Turn left/south on the narrower Dickey Ridge Trail. The first section of the trail is overgrown before widening and beginning a gentle climb up to the Dickey Hill access road.
- Mile 1.8 - Arrive at the Dickey Hill access road and turn left (the Dickey Ridge Trail will cross the road here). Remain on the access road for 0.1 miles where the road splits.
- Mile 1.9 - Stay left towards the Snead Farm and soon arrive at a view eastward through a utility clear cut.
- Mile 2.13 - Stay right uphill where the road splits again and follow it for 0.5 miles to the Snead Farm ruins.
- Mile 2.63 - The structure that is still standing is newer, with the Snead Farm ruins now no more than a foundation on the left side of the access road. Look for a narrow unmarked trail that leads off the road to the Snead Farm Loop Trail marker. Turn left downhill on the trail where it soon turns right to the south. Follow the Snead Farm Loop Trail for 0.72 miles to the ridge and intersection of the Dickey Ridge Trail.
- Mile 3.35 - Turn right uphill/north on the Dickey Ridge Trail as the trail climbs towards Dickey Hill. Just as the trail begins to descend look for a side trail on the right that continues upward. If you're interested, follow this unofficial trail to the summit of Dickey Hill. There isn't a view at the summit, just a large clearing with the FAA Linden VOR transmission tower used for aircraft navigation. Return back to the Dickey Ridge Trail.
- Mile 3.7 - Continue north on the Dickey Ridge Trail and shortly arrive at the best vista of the hike with expansive views southwest of the Massanutten Range. Continue north as the trail begins to descend and in 0.9 miles arrive back at the Dickey Hill access road intersection.
- Mile 4.6 - Cross the road continuing on the Dickey Ridge Trail 0.5 miles back to the intersection of the Fox Hollow Trail and clearing.
- Mile 5.1 - Turn left through the clearing re-crossing Skyline Drive.
- Mile 5.3 - Arrive back at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and parking area.
