Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock sits at 2,687 feet on Skyline Drive, facing 300 degrees with the terrain dropping 850 feet within 600 meters of the overlook. Horsehead Mountain rises to the north at 0.9 miles, and more distant features are visible to the north and northwest, including Grand Caverns Regional Park, Town Park, Port Republic Historic District, Longs Hill, Weyers Cave Community Center, Fear Forest, and Mount Sidney to the west-northwest, ranging from roughly 5.8 to 12 miles away. The view faces toward the sunset side of the compass, about 30 degrees off square, so evening light crosses the gorge at an angle rather than straight on. Access is by an out-and-back hike from the Riprap Parking Area at mile 90, following the Appalachian Trail north and then the Riprap Trail through a series of switchbacks; Chimney Rock appears across the gorge where the trail makes a sharp left turn. The full circuit runs 3.4 miles with 830 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate, and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Horsehead Mountain Overlook precedes this stop, and Piprap Overlook follows it. The nearest towns are Staunton, 16.3 miles west, Harrisonburg, 18.8 miles north-northwest, and Charlottesville, 19.6 miles east-southeast.