Upper Whiteoak Falls Loop via Cedar Run Trail(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate loop trail to Upper Whiteoak Falls in Shenandoah National Park.

This trail goes by Cedar Run Falls, Hawksbill Gap, Upper Whiteoak Falls, and Lower Whiteoak Falls.

The Good: Did you say you want to see a waterfall...or five? Waterfalls abound in this scenic hike. You will have the opportunity to view them both from below and above. Of course, with waterfalls come plenty of swimming opportunities in the warmer weather. If you love hiking in and around water features, then this is the hike for you. The Not So Good: The 2000+ foot change in elevation does not fully describe the difficulty of the ascent on this hike (and the descent on the other side of the loop).

Getting Started

The parking lot can be a little tight, but the trailhead is right next to the parking lot.

Taking Children

While children will love wading and swimming around the various pools formed by the waterfalls, the hike can be a quite difficult for younger children. 9/10 for water features. 1/10 for steep inclines.