Hazel Falls Hike
Waterfall | Virginia
5.3 mi round trip
1,070 ft
Hard
Hazel Falls Hike at a Glance
The Hazel Falls hike via the Hazel Mountain Trail is 5.3 mi round trip with 1,070 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 2,000 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Hazel Mountain Trail |
| Distance | 5.3 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 1,070 ft |
| Difficulty | Hard |
Your time: about 2 h 20 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 2 h 55 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 1,300 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 5.3 mi distance and 1,070 ft of gain for this hike are verified (nps.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Hazel Falls
Hazel Falls is a waterfall in Virginia, on land managed by Shenandoah National Park.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Hazel Mountain Trail: 5.3 miles round trip with about 1,070 feet of elevation gain, from Meadow Spring Parking Area (Skyline Drive mile 33.5). Allow 5 hours. Distance from nps.gov. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Hard.
Before You Go
- An entrance fee is required to get into Shenandoah National Park. (nps.gov)
- Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. (nps.gov)
- This trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines. (nps.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Shenandoah National Park for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Hazel Falls?
The Hazel Mountain Trail to Hazel Falls is 5.3 miles round trip with about 1,070 feet of elevation gain. Allow 5 hours.
Where does the Hazel Falls hike start?
It starts from Meadow Spring Parking Area (Skyline Drive mile 33.5).
Is there a fee to hike to Hazel Falls?
An entrance fee is required to get into Shenandoah National Park.
Are dogs allowed on the Hazel Falls trail?
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Hazel Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- nps.gov
- Distance
- nps.gov
- Falls location
- worldwaterfalldatabase.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Hazel Falls.