Saddleback Mountain Hike

Name: Saddleback Mountain Hike - Shenandoah NP, VA | MyHikes
Address: Swift Run, VA, US
Rating: 3.33

While this hike doesn’t offer any grand views or beautiful streams, it does offer solitude and great opportunities to spot wildlife. In spring, this area is lush with wildflowers. It’s also a great choice for a snowy-day hike when Skyline Drive is closed. You can park outside the Swift Run Gap entry station, and walk 100 yards to the trailhead.

Mile 0.0 – Find the cement Appalachian Trail marker post on the eastern side of Skyline Drive. There is parking here for several cars. Ascend uphill, heading north on the white blazed Appalachian Trail.
Mile .25 – Look for a faint, unmarked side trail on right. It leads to small historic cemetery that is worth exploring.
Mile .31 – Arrive at the cemetery - some graves date to 1800s. The cemetery is full of thorns, so take care exploring. Do not disturb the headstones.
Mile .37 – Return the way you came back to the Appalachian Trail, turn right and continue north.
Mile .45 – Pass under powerlines. The trail will continue to ascend gradually.
Mile 1.5 – Reach the junction of Appalachian Trail and Saddleback Mountain Trail. Turn right and follow the blue blazed Saddleback Mountain Trail. The Saddleback Mountain trail is very lightly traveled and follows rolling terrain through a quiet section of forest.
Mile 3.1 – Reach South River PATC maintenance hut. There are picnic tables, a bear pole, a privy, and two spring-fed water sources nearby. No camping is allowed at the hut.
Mile 3.15 – Spring fed water source to right of trail.
Mile 3.2 – Spring fed water source to left of trail. Saddleback Mountain Trail ends and turns into a wide fire road. Follow the fire road.
Mile 3.4 – Reach junction of fire road and Appalachian Trail. Turn left and follow the Appalachian Trail south. Follow the Appalachian Trail for 0.7 miles. You will ascend for several tenths of a mile before reaching a ridge and descending for the remainder of the hike.
Mile 4.1 – Pass the junction of Appalachian Trail and Saddleback Mountain Trail on the left and continue south on AT.
Mile 5.6 – Cross back under powerlines
Mile 5.9 – Return to vehicle

By HikingUpward Contributors: Christine and Adam Anderson

Know Before You Go

Saddleback Mountain Hike is a 5.9-mile loop near Swift Run, VA, offering a secluded experience with wildlife spotting opportunities and spring wildflowers.
The trail includes a short detour to a historic cemetery (mile 0.31) and passes by the South River PATC maintenance hut (mile 3.1) with water sources.
The hike involves following the Appalachian Trail (white blazes), Saddleback Mountain Trail (blue blazes), and a fire road, with specific turn-offs and landmarks provided in the guide.

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Total Change

823'

Ascent

1,171'

Descent

1,171'

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Features

Vista / Lookout Point

Dogs

Camping

Appalachian Trail hike

Points of interest

Parking

38.357424, -78.545422
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Main Trailhead

38.357424, -78.545422
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Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Hazards

Lyme and Other Tickborne Diseases (CDC)

Snakes (Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, others)

Poison Ivy or Poison Oak

Markers

Blaze Color

White

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)
Routes

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Rated 3.33 out of 5 based on 3 ratings.

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By: aldikuma

5.9 miles / 9.5 km

August 16, 2018

Got to our campground later than expected so we chose a shorter hike to complete in the afternoon heat. A nice trail and easy workout, but no vistas or streams other than the springs by the cabin. The cute little cabin was a nice place to take a short break.

Legacy Review

By: Jamey

5.9 miles / 9.5 km

March 24, 2018

This is a very pleasant hike in the woods. I knew to not expect any spectacular views or pretty streams. What I didn't expect was that the woods are still full of snow. I figured there would be patches of snow, but I slogged through 4-5 inches of snow, sometimes much more, the entire way. It was very pretty, although the snow made the hike much slower and harder than I anticipated. But what a nice day in the woods!

Legacy Review

By: Jackie

5.9 miles / 9.5 km

June 18, 2017

Hiked this one Sunday morning, as the weather forecast seemed iffy and we decided to take two dogs with us. Honestly a pretty easy hike, with the steepest part right in the beginning. But the rest of it isn't too strenuous and the top loop is fairly flat. The Saddleback Mountain loop was empty, and a bit overgrown, but it didn't bother us! , We only saw other hikers on the way back down on the AT (about 8-10 AT hikers) Great short hike if you don't want to have to drive too far into the park. Only one other car at the trailhead when we started at 8:15am, and we were back to the car by 10:40. Didn't stop too often, but our pace was dictated by the dogs, so it fluctuated greatly. Would be a good trail to run on as well.

Legacy Review

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