The summit of Bearfence Mountain in Shenandoah National Park offers a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. It is considered by many one of the prettiest areas of the park. Bearfence trail is a short uphill hike from the parking lot followed by a rock scramble to reach the summit at an elevation of 3,553 feet.
The parking area for Bearfence trail is located near mile marker 56.4 on Skyline Drive. Hikers cross the road from the parking lot and head uphill. The trail has an elevation gain of 311 feet. There is a rock scramble at the summit of the mountain.
NPS ranks the trail of moderate difficulty. Due to the rock scramble and the proximity of the trail to some steep drops off the mountain, the hike is not recommended for young children. If you have problems with heights, this is also probably not the trail for you.
As you can see from the map, there is an alternate hike that utilizes the Appalachian Trail to reach a viewpoint at the top of the mountain.
Here are some of the views that we got from the summit of the mountain:
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah Airports
Shenandoah Cabins
Shenandoah Camping
Shenandoah Hotels
Shenandoah Lodging (In Park)
Shenandoah National Park Wedding
Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive Mile Markers
Shendandoah in November
Baldface Mountain Overlook
Bearfence Mountain
Compton Gap
Dark Hollow Falls
Doyles River Overlook
Dundo Overlook
Hawksbill Mountain
Hemlock Springs Overlook
Hogback Mountain
Hogwallow Flats Overlook
Horsehead Overlook
Indian Run Overlook
Jenkins Gap Overlook
Jewell Hollow Overlook
Marys Rock Tunnel Overlook
Moormans River Overlook
Mount Marshall
Oaks Overlook
Signal Knob Overlook
South River Overlook
Stony Man
Thorofare Mountain Overlook
Trayfoot Mountain Overlook
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
The Bubbles
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain Sunrise
Jordan Pond
Sand Beach
Schoodic Peninsula
Thunder Hole
Congaree National Park
Congaree Camping
Congaree Canoe Trail
Congaree Fireflies
Congaree Weather
Congaree Boardwalk Loop
Congaree Champion Trees
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley Birding
Cuyahoga Valley History
Things to Do in Cuyahoga Valley
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Clingmans Dome
Elkmont Campground
Grotto Falls
Newfound Gap
The Sinks
Mammoth Cave National Park
Bottomless Pit at Mammoth Cave
Gothic Avenue Tour
Grand Avenue Tour
Great Onyx Lantern Tour
Mammoth Cave Historic Tour
Mammoth Cave History
River Styx