Welcome to our final week, Week 5! In Nest Realty’s Summer Bucket List Series, we highlight five of our favorite summer activities in the Shenandoah Valley area. After you tackle our bucket list, let us know which adventure was your favorite! Send a photo or leave a comment about your day in the sun. We hope these inspire you to love where you live even more than you already do!
The fifth must-do for this summer is to hike Humpback Rock. Humpback Rock is a massive greenstone outcrop near the peak of Humpback Mountain, and is an extremely popular hike that offers beautiful, panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley. The hike is relatively short, but don’t underestimate the incline! The 2 mile out-and-back trail is strenuous, as the elevation climb gains about 800 feet and the trail wastes no time with this ascent! Park in the Humpback Rocks parking area (mile post 6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) and follow the blue-blazed trail that begins to the right of the kiosk.
There are some wooden steps that provide assistance with the steep ascent, but the second half of the hike is rocky, so make sure to be careful if it has recently rained. Once you get to the top of Humpback Rock, scramble over the rocks and enjoy the scenic views! Make sure to pack water and even some snacks, and don’t forget your camera! Sunrise and sunset Humpback Rock hikes are particularly popular, as hikers get an open, unobscured view of the red, orange, and pink streaks of the sun rising or sinking in the vast sky. Enjoy the climb and the views!
We want to hear about your Shenandoah Valley summer adventures! Are you ready to add house hunting to your summer must-do’s? Click here to start your search.