Overall Run Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 93 ft high | Virginia
5.1 mi round trip
1,291 ft
Hard
Overall Run Falls Hike at a Glance
The Overall Run Falls hike via the Traces Trail is 5.1 mi round trip with 1,291 ft of elevation gain.
| Falls height | About 93 ft |
|---|---|
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,900 ft |
| Trail | Traces Trail |
| Distance | 5.1 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 1,291 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 1,330 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 5.1 mi distance and 1,291 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 Overall Run Falls
Overall Run Falls is a waterfall in Virginia, about 93 feet high, on land managed by Shenandoah National Park. Its height is from nps.gov.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Traces Trail: 5.1 miles round trip with about 1,291 feet of elevation gain, from Mathews Arm Campground Registration Parking Area (Skyline Drive mile 22.1). Allow 4 hours. Distance from nps.gov. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Hard.
Before You Go
- Pets must be on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet long at all times. (nps.gov)
- Unless rain is plentiful, Overall Run Falls may have minimal to no water flow. (nps.gov)
- If the campground is closed, you can park at mile 21. (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 Overall Run Falls?
The Traces Trail to Overall Run Falls is 5.1 miles round trip with about 1,291 feet of elevation gain. Allow 4 hours.
Where does the Overall Run Falls hike start?
It starts from Mathews Arm Campground Registration Parking Area (Skyline Drive mile 22.1).
How tall is Overall Run Falls?
Overall Run Falls is about 93 feet high.
Are dogs allowed on the Overall Run Falls trail?
Pets must be on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet long 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 Overall Run Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- nps.gov
- Distance
- nps.gov
- Falls height
- nps.gov
- Falls location
- mountainproject.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 Overall Run Falls.