Hiking · Lyndhurst, Virginia
Humpback Rocks
A short, steep Blue Ridge Parkway climb to a rock outcrop with a wide valley view.
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 740 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Typical time
- 1.3 hr – 2.3 hr
About this route
Humpback Rocks is the first big view south of Waynesboro on the Blue Ridge Parkway and a favorite quick workout for Charlottesville and Staunton hikers. The trail climbs consistently for a mile to a series of rock ledges looking west.
It is short but genuinely steep, and the parking area fills on clear weekends. The nearby Mountain Farm exhibit is worth ten extra minutes.
Why this difficulty rating: Short distance but sustained steep grade with rock steps.
Highlights
- Fast, big payoff
- Mountain Farm living-history exhibit
- Connects to the Appalachian Trail
Map and trailheads
Approximate locations for orientation only. Carry an offline map — cell service is unreliable on much of this network.
Know before you go
- Route type
- Out and back
- Surfaces
- Rocky, Dirt
- Setting
- Mountain, Ridgeline, Forest
- Amenities
- Parking, Restrooms, Shade
- Parking
- Humpback Rocks trailhead parking at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 6.
- Restrooms
- Not yet verified
- Water
- Not yet verified
- Fees
- No fee.
- Permits
- Not yet verified
- Hours
- Not yet verified
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Accessibility
- Not yet verified
- Stroller friendly
- No
- Good with kids
- Yes
- Seasonal notes
- The Parkway closes in ice and snow. Fall weekends are extremely busy.
- Weather exposure
- Exposed rock outcrop at the top.
- Cell service
- Not yet verified
- Emergency
- Not yet verified
Hazards and wildlife
- Steep drop-offs at the outcrop
- Lightning
- Crowding on narrow tread
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- Elevation gain
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- Elevation gain
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- Elevation gain
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- Route type
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