Little Devils Stairs in Shenandoah (Caution: Difficult Hike)

This is a strenuous 5.4 or 7.8 mile loop in the Shenandoah National Park, located about 45min west of Warrenton, VA. Most of the work comes early on as you climb steeply up and over rocks, gaining 1500 feet of elevation in about1.8 miles (1000 ft over a mile). If you think your buttocks muscles need some tightening-up then this is your hike! But honestly, once youÂ’ve gained the ridge top almost all of the strenuous part is over. The short version of this hike utilizes a fire road as a return route and passes a graveyard along the way. The longer route follows Piney Branch with several nice little falls and cascades along the way. YouÂ’ll have to cross it twice but usually without much difficulty. More info-- Hiking Upward MidAtlanticHikes CAR POOLING: I'd like to meet up at the Vienna Metro Station (North Parking Lot) between 7:45am and 8:00am. We'll leave NO LATER than 8:10am. Here are the directions for those of you willing to drive (I can take three hikers in my car): 1. I-66 W to US-29 North (Gainesville Exit past the US-29 exit in Centreville) 2. Take exit 43B toward US-29 N 144 ft (Due to construction, the signage is not very helpful. There is a single exist from I-66 W to US-29. Keep left at the fork and merge onto US-29S towards Warrenton) Keep left at the fork to continue toward US-29 and merge onto US-29 for 11.2 mi 3. Slight right at 15/US-211 4. Continue to follow US-211 1.2 mi 5. Slight left to stay on US-211 0.9 mi 6. Turn right at Frost Ave/US-211 7. Continue to follow US-211 24.8 mi 8. Turn right at Gid Brown Hollow Rd/VA-622 1.9 mi 9. Turn left at Keyser Run Rd/VA-614 10. Continue to follow Keyser Run Rd to the parking area Google Directions We're going to have a great time!! (maybe even have go together afterwards and get something to eat in Warrenton I hope you can make it! --Mike