In our area, the A.T. follows the Blue Ridge Mountains from Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, south to Chester Gap (east of Front Royal, VA) and then through Shenandoah National Park.
You can purchase A.T. guidebooks and maps at local outfitters.
Directions: From Winchester, several roads lead east to A.T. access points. These include:
Routes 7 east and 340 north to Harper’s Ferry, WV,
Route 7 east to Snickers Gap,
Route 50 east to Ashby Gap,
Route 522 south to Chester Gap.
The closest access point to Winchester is Snickers Gap. From Winchester, take Route 7 east 17 miles to the crest of the Blue Ridge. The Snickers Gap parking lot is on the right. From the parking lot, a blue-blazed trail leads south to the A.T. Follow the A.T. left for 0.5 miles to Bear’s Den Rocks, with extensive views of the Shenandoah Valley.
