Old Rag Circuit

The walk starts at the Old Rag overflow parking on Nethers Road; the main lot is closed for works until about November 2026. Follow the Old Rag Access Trail to the trailhead and take the blue-blazed Ridge Trail up through the forest. Higher up it becomes a rock scramble about a mile long, with squeezes and big steps, to the summit. Go down the blue-blazed Saddle Trail past Old Rag Shelter, where it turns into a fire road. At the T-junction go right, and right again onto the yellow-blazed Weakley Hollow Fire Road. Turn right on the Ridge Access Trail, then left on the Ridge Trail, back to the start.

It is 9.8 miles (15.8 km) around with 2,550 feet (778 m) of climbing; allow about 6 hours. The grade is Hard. The park rates it very strenuous and allows seven to eight hours, as the scramble is slow, with queues at busy times.

From March 1 to November 30 every hiker needs an Old Rag day-use ticket for the date, as well as a park entrance pass. Tickets cost $2 and are booked on Recreation.gov, 800 a day; they are not sold at the trailhead.

The scramble needs good upper body strength, and children often need help. Avoid it in rain or ice. Take plenty of water. Pets are not allowed on these trails.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.