Our Favorite Hikes - Hightop Mountain

So many of our guests come to experience the amazing natural beauty of Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. From Blue Vistas Cabin, you can actually see the Skyline Drive winding along the top of the mountain vista. We are only 2 miles from the Swift Run Gap entrance to Skyline Drive. Hiking Guides for the Park can be found in each unit of Blue Vistas Cabin. As a family we have some favorite hikes and would like to share them with you in the hope it will help you plan your own adventures.

For our first Favorite Hikes post, I thought I'd start with Hightop Mountain. A favorite of mine for its shady trail, beautiful overlook and easy proximity to the Swift Run Gap entrance to Skyline Drive.

This is a fairly easy uphill hike (be sure to bring water). It was the first hike we took a then two year old Isabel on, and she quite enjoyed it.

The deer on the trails are pretty used to seeing hikers pass by, which makes for some great photo opportunities!

At the end of your hike, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view East. There are lots of great sun warmed rocks to sit on and rest. Some friendly fellow hikers took our victory photo for us!

Just the Facts:

Hike: Hightop Mountain

Elevation Change: 967 Feet

Mile Marker: 69.9

Length: 3.8 miles round trip

Difficulty: easy to moderate - a steady uphill climb but not too steep