Piney Branch Hike
While this hike may not have the sweeping vistas you often find on other Shenandoah National Park hikes, it features great trails that wind through scenic valleys. For a more scenic route also consider doing the hike counterclockwise and taking the Little Devils Stairs Trail instead of the Keyser Run Fire Rd.
- Mile 0.0 – Start uphill on the Keyser Run Fire road which will take you into the Shenandoah National Park, and ascending for the first 1.2 miles to the junction of the Hull School Trail and the Bolen Cemetery.
- Mile 1.2 - Veer left on the Hull School Trail for 0.7 miles downhill to the junction of the Piney Branch Trail.
- Mile 1.9 - Turn right on the Piney Branch Trail and in 200 yards cross Piney River. At 0.4 miles on the Piney Branch Trail the Piney Ridge Trail will come in on your left. Continue straight for another 1.0 miles where you will cross back over Piney River.
- Mile 3.3 - Ascend the Piney Branch Trail for another 1.3 miles on the right side of the valley until coming to the junction of the Poll Bridge Link Trail on the right. The Piney Branch Trail turns left.
- Mile 4.6 - Turn right on the Pole Bridge Link Trail and pass the Sugarloaf Trail on the left in 0.4 miles. In another 0.5 miles arrive at the junction of the Keyser Run Fire road.
- Mile 5.5 - Turn right on the yellow blazed Keyser Run Fire road and begin your descent for the 2.5 miles back to the intersection of the Hull School Trail and the Bolen Cemetery.
- Mile 6.8 - Turn left down the Keyser Run Fire road for the final 1.2 miles back to the parking lot.
- Mile 9.0 - Arrive back at the Little Devils Stairs parking area
