Why Old Rag Is One of the World's Best Hikes⛰️🥾🤩

Join us on an unforgettable adventure to Old Rag Mountain! It's truly an adult playground, where you leave your worries behind, challenge yourself on the rocks, and enjoy every moment surrounded by breathtaking views. 0:00–0:24 Old Rag is ranked among the world's 25 best hikes by Outside magazine, alongside iconic adventures like Everest Base Camp. Located in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, it's famous for its challenging rock scramble and spectacular views. The first 2½ miles gain about 500–600 feet of elevation per mile, so get ready for a workout! Bring at least 3 liters of water and something to replenish your electrolytes. 0:25 And now the fun begins! The next 2–2½ miles are one giant rock scramble along the mountain ridge leading to the summit. Every viewpoint is breathtaking. These scrambles are like an adult playground! 0:55 You'll be using your legs, hands, and sometimes even your bottom. At a few spots, the easiest way down is simply to slide. Gloves with a good grip are definitely worth bringing. 1:20 This is my favorite spot at the beginning of the scramble. You lower yourself into a narrow crevice using tiny footholds. It's so much fun! 1:46 This is my unofficial weight test! I refuse to take off my backpack. If I can still squeeze through this gap, I know I'm doing just fine. 1:57 Here's the cave. It's cool, windy, and incredibly refreshing as you pass through. 2:22 Here's another amazing rock formation with natural stone steps and a giant boulder hanging overhead. It's one of the best photo spots on the hike—just watch your head as you crawl underneath! 3:15 Another iconic photo spot: the famous hanging boulder. 3:56 Today the rocks feel surprisingly slippery. I've found they're actually slicker after a light rain than after heavy rain because a downpour washes away the natural oils on the rock surface. 4:25 This is probably the hardest scramble of the hike. You have to pull yourself up and over a huge boulder. Carrying a heavy backpack full of water and supplies makes it even more challenging—but it's one of my favorite sections. 6:25 We made it to the summit! 6:56 Now we're heading back down the scramble. Instead of completing the loop on the fire road, we chose to retrace our steps because the scrambling is the best part of the hike. 7:32 The final 2½ miles are a steady downhill walk. If you have knee issues, consider wearing a knee brace or bringing trekking poles—they can make the descent much more comfortable.