Buzzard Rock is the perfect morning hike. It’s not too long, not too short, but just right and it’s in Strasburg, Virginia which is a hop, skip, and jump away from Broadway (as my dad would say)..
Located in George Washington National Park, this is a rather popular hike so you’ll want to get there early to avoid a full parking lot. That said, parking is rather plentiful and free. If the lot right in front of the trail is full, there’s a lot right beside it where one can usually find parking. Don’t park on the road! The trail is a little over 3.5 miles in length if done as an out-and back, and is pretty moderate in difficulty. It’s dog friendly, so bring along your pups.
The trail intersects with the Shaw Gap Trail which is unsurprisingly easy to take if you aren’t paying much attention. I recommend either using Alltrails to guide you, or my favorite method, which is to screenshot directions from Hiking Upward and hope for the best. That said, following the white blazes will get you to the top. There are several great overlooks before you reach Buzzard Rock, which are worth pausing to view.
This certainly isn’t a great trail for solitude, though you probably won’t find it painfully crowded either. That said, it is a great trail to try solo hiking on. People are plentiful here, and you may end up getting left in the dust by two elderly gentlemen like I did. Cell service is abundant here too for the majority of the trail, and while the trail is rather rocky, especially once you reach the ridgeline, it’s not very technical nor does it require any intense rock scrambling. If you’re relatively used to hiking, you’ll find this one pretty easy to do.
Speaking of people, I passed by a group of Boy Scouts who were clearly on some sort of camping trip. Like a good hiker, I moved to the side as they were walking uphill so they could pass me and overheard a bit of their conversation.
Kid 1: Remember to drink water and stay hydrated. That’s really important out here. You don’t want to pass out or anything.
Kid 2: Mason, it’s not that serious. We’re going to be fine.
Mason: …Well, it’s a good reminder anyway.
Mason is correct! Staying hydrated is important, even as we’re approaching the cooler months and prime hiking weather with the leaves turning, hydration is paramount when hiking long distances, or in hot weather, or just in general.And if you want to try solo hiking, it’s best to be over prepared even if you feel a little silly. Take plenty of water, snacks, and a flashlight in case you overshoot your hike, and make sure someone knows where you’re hiking and when you’ll be back in town.
Happy hiking!
