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Piedmont Overlook Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult
 4.3 (37) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  1. Areas
  2. VA
  3. …Northern Virginia
  4. Sky Meadows State Park
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“A moderate hike with great views. ”

Shawn MacDonnell
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Map Key

5.2

Miles

8.4

KM

Loop

1,788' 545 m

High

840' 256 m

Low

969' 295 m

Up

973' 296 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Wildflowers

Overview

This route starts by going up to a great view of the surrounding area before hooking up with the Appalachian Trail (AT) and then starting downhill to another panoramic view. Sky Meadows State Park does a great job of marking and labeling the trails throughout.

Description

From the trailhead, you'll come to a sign for the Piedmont Overlook Trail that will take you over a small set of stairs into a cow pasture. Follow this trail uphill to the first viewpoint; you'll see a bench underneath a tree.

After the viewpoint, continue along the Piedmont Overlook Trail until you reach a signpost. Follow the North Ridge Trail. It won't be long before you see another signpost pointing the way for the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail. Take the trail! After a little more than a mile, you'll find the signs for the Appalachian Trail (AT) and some glorious meadows.

Follow the AT south until you come back to the North Ridge Trail. Hike along the North Ridge Trail for about 4/10 of a mile and go right at the sign for the South Ridge Trail. After about a mile on the South Ridge Trail, there is a bench and another great view. Shortly after the view, you'll work your way downhill and see the Snowden Ruins. Finish the South Ridge Trail where it meets with the Boston Mill Road and after about a half mile, you'll be back where you started!

Flora & Fauna

Red-headed woodpeckers can be found in the park. There are also deer and bears in the park.

Contacts

Land Manager: Virginia State Parks

Shared By:

Shawn MacDonnell with improvements by Scott C and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 37 votes

#1

in Sky Meadows State Park

#311

Overall
  4.3 from 37 votes
5 Star
38%
4 Star
57%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Sky Meadows State Park

#13

in Virginia

#311

Overall
56 Views Last Month
11,634 Since Sep 5, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Looking down the valley as we came down Piedmont Overlook
Jun 11, 2020 near Shenand…, VA
Lots of blackberry bushes in bloom
Jun 11, 2020 near Shenand…, VA
Overlook.
Sep 5, 2016 near Shenand…, VA
Overlook.
Sep 5, 2016 near Shenand…, VA
View along Boston Mill Road
Jun 11, 2020 near Shenand…, VA
Cows on the Piedmont Overlook Trail.
Sep 5, 2016 near Shenand…, VA

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Check-Ins

Nov 13, 2021
Eric Clement
Oct 23, 2021
JAGADEESH ALURI
Aug 15, 2021
Joe Danz
2h 25m
Apr 3, 2021
Aaron Lee
Nov 25, 2020
Will Heinle
Would recommend hiking clockwise. Accidentally went 0.4 miles farther on the AT 6mi
Oct 18, 2020
Piers Carey
Did this in reverse so you finish walking down the meadows facing the amazing view 5.2mi — 2h 11m
Oct 3, 2020
Jason P
Sep 12, 2020
Jason P

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