Turk Mountain

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Features Fall Colors · Spring · Views

This route combines a few trails at the southern end of Shenandoah National Park to make a nice but long run. The views at the top of Turk are awesome and you'll meet many thru-hikers on the AT depending on the time of year.

Bring proper footwear.

We parked at the Jarman Gap parking area, near MP97. There are two yellow gated barriers, the trail starts on the barrier nearest Skyline Drive and goes downhill. Continue past the barrier running on the yellow blazed Moormans River Fire Road.

In about 0.2 miles you'll come to an intersection of the A.T., continue past this intersection, crossing Moormans River multiple times prior to reaching the intersection of the Turk Branch Trail in 2.0 miles. You'll cross the river and immediately take a left after the SNP Stone Marker heading up the yellow blazed Turk Branch trail.

Note: The Moormans River Fire Road continues straight at this intersection following the Moormans River, make sure you turn left onto the Turk Branch Trail.

Continue on the Turk Branch Trail, crossing Turk Branch a couple of times, with multiple switchbacks prior to reaching the Turk Gap parking area. This part of the run is about 2.6 miles long and gains roughly 1200' feet in elevation. One of the crossings had a nice small waterfall with a few others visible upstream.

From the Turk Gap parking area, cross Skyline Drive and head to the Stone marker, bearing left onto white blazed AT going South. DO NOT TAKE the yellow blazed continuation of the Turk Gap Trail. Stay on the AT South for 0.3 miles until you reach the intersection of the blue blazed Turk Mountain Trail, take a right. This is an out and back adding 2.0 miles to the run, but you'll see the best views of the day and have a great place to eat lunch. Be sure when you are at the top of Turk Mountain to continue along the rocks past the Stone marker, so that you can also see some great views of the Shenandoah Valley. This is the most crowded part of the trail. Some of the other rocks have better views with less people but it's still worth going to the top. Retrace your steps to the AT intersection.

Take a right at the AT intersection heading south for about 1.4 miles before crossing Skyline Drive. To the right is the Sawmill Run Overlook which if you have time, has some great views. Once across Skyline Drive there are some good up and downs on this part of the AT but not too bad. Continue on the AT for 1.7 miles reaching the Moormans River Fire Road intersection. Take a right and reach the Jarman Gap Parking area in 0.2 miles to complete the run.