Big Schloss
Big Schloss
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5.0
34 reviews
Excellent
26
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8
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0
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Terrible
0
annaM5626PG
Washington DC, DC29 contributions
Sept 2021
Loved this hike and the view/setting at the top was amazing. We were very lucky to have hiked on a Tuesday and only passed one other person the entire time. Having the incredible view at the top all to ourselves, we sat up there for an hour or so. Good hike, well marked, moderate in difficulty.
Written 13 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JustinEiseleTravel
New York City, NY57 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
I had work take me to southern West Virginia. So, I dragged a girl I really adore with me on the trip. Our first stop was Woodstock, VA. Now, the girl had been to 2 other Woodstocks. Despite my envy, she hadn't seen this one!
After a night's stay at the Holiday Inn, (fyi recommend the Hampton Inn instead. see my other review for that) we went for a hike to the Big Schloss.
Due to unseen forces, we actually did the hardest part of the hike twice! The first 3/4 mile is straight up. It isn't that pretty for the very first part. However, as you go up and up you start seeing the mountain ridges. Once you start to plane out at the top you start to enjoy the mountain. The path was beautifully grassy and rocky at the top. It is a bit hard on the feet. However, you feel like you are in Lord of the Rings. The trees have moss, and the rocks are good and ragged.
Once you get to the zenith, there is a neat,aesthetically pleasing, little bridge that gets you across to the Big Schloss. At the end, you crawl up the rocks to enjoy your well-earned view. It is completely panoramic. Great for a sit and meditation. We had lots of traffic. But hikers were all friendly. I even left my phone mid trail and as we started to go down the mountain we hear a "did anyone lose their phone!" Ah ha! A nice pair of hikers found the phone.
We didn't camp. But, there are some very nice campsites at the base of the trail.
Enjoy it.
After a night's stay at the Holiday Inn, (fyi recommend the Hampton Inn instead. see my other review for that) we went for a hike to the Big Schloss.
Due to unseen forces, we actually did the hardest part of the hike twice! The first 3/4 mile is straight up. It isn't that pretty for the very first part. However, as you go up and up you start seeing the mountain ridges. Once you start to plane out at the top you start to enjoy the mountain. The path was beautifully grassy and rocky at the top. It is a bit hard on the feet. However, you feel like you are in Lord of the Rings. The trees have moss, and the rocks are good and ragged.
Once you get to the zenith, there is a neat,aesthetically pleasing, little bridge that gets you across to the Big Schloss. At the end, you crawl up the rocks to enjoy your well-earned view. It is completely panoramic. Great for a sit and meditation. We had lots of traffic. But hikers were all friendly. I even left my phone mid trail and as we started to go down the mountain we hear a "did anyone lose their phone!" Ah ha! A nice pair of hikers found the phone.
We didn't camp. But, there are some very nice campsites at the base of the trail.
Enjoy it.
Written 27 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stijntailly
Waregem, Belgium298 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
This is a very nice, at times quite challenging day hike that leads to a rocky outcropping with an almost 360-degree view of the valleys beneath. The entire hike is an approximate 4.4-mile round trip, but the first half or so is pretty steep and tough. Once you reach the ridgeline, the hike becomes noticeably easier and flatter, straddling the WV-VA border as you make your way to the rocks. The last 100 feet will involve some rock scrambling, but nothing extremely dangerous. The trailhead is located at Wolf Gap Recreation Area in George Washington National Forest. It's about a half hour away by car from Wardensville, WV, which was our approach route. We completed this hike in late April and hardly saw anybody else on the trail.
Written 21 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kmac1392
80 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
This hike far surpassed the others as our #1 hike of our extended weekend in the Shenandoah area. We hiked several trails in the Shenandoah National Park and then this one, and we all agreed that it was the most memorable. I don't think that the hike was extremely difficult in any section, and absolutely loved the mile section up along the top of the mountains! Tons of awesome views and breathtaking surroundings. Once we reached Big Schloss, we explored the rocky mountaintop for awhile before heading back. It was not crowded at all and the trail was amazing! Definitely a must do hike if you're in the area!
Written 11 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie L
Annapolis, MD34 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
We were a little worried when we saw this hike described as "strenuous" since my husband and I are both a bit out of shape. But we decided to give it a shot, and boy are we glad we did!!!! If you're worried that this is too much of a hike for your condition, just take it slow and make lots of stops as necessary (and don't forget to bring LOTS of water!) The first half is the hardest and from there it's mostly level ground all the way out to the point. But I guarantee the views from the top make that trek worth the sweat!!
Written 14 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LauraRW
U.S. expats21,671 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
This is a terrific long day hike, or two day backpack trip. It is roughly 12 miles as a backpacking trip. Approaching Big Schloss from the opposite direction would shorten the distance to seven miles round trip, but would be a very steep ascent on a very rocky trail.
The focus is on Big Schloss--a large rocky outcrop from where you can enjoy 360 degree views of the Great Northern Mountain area. The word "schloss" is German for castle, and that is pretty much what this rocky outcropping looks like.
For either hike, take route 42 from Woodstock, and take SR 675, Wolf Gap Road. You'll have to make several turns to stay on Wolf Gap road. Two miles after the junction with SR 717, (a "Y" intersection") you need to go slowly and look very hard for the sign for FR 92. The brown sign for it is no bigger than a dessert plate. You can also look for the stop sign that will face cars coming out of FR 92. Someone has painted 92 on the back of it.
Take a right onto FR 92, and go about 4 miles. You should cross one river, but find the parking lot on your right before you hit the next river. The orange blazed trail runs along the river, if you want the longer 12 mile hike. For the shorter hike straight to Big Schloss, you will need to hike back along the road the way you came for about .5 miles. You should see hiking signs directing you into the forest--the trail is well blazed.
I highly recommend the maps and trail notes available for free at midatlantic hikes.com
The focus is on Big Schloss--a large rocky outcrop from where you can enjoy 360 degree views of the Great Northern Mountain area. The word "schloss" is German for castle, and that is pretty much what this rocky outcropping looks like.
For either hike, take route 42 from Woodstock, and take SR 675, Wolf Gap Road. You'll have to make several turns to stay on Wolf Gap road. Two miles after the junction with SR 717, (a "Y" intersection") you need to go slowly and look very hard for the sign for FR 92. The brown sign for it is no bigger than a dessert plate. You can also look for the stop sign that will face cars coming out of FR 92. Someone has painted 92 on the back of it.
Take a right onto FR 92, and go about 4 miles. You should cross one river, but find the parking lot on your right before you hit the next river. The orange blazed trail runs along the river, if you want the longer 12 mile hike. For the shorter hike straight to Big Schloss, you will need to hike back along the road the way you came for about .5 miles. You should see hiking signs directing you into the forest--the trail is well blazed.
I highly recommend the maps and trail notes available for free at midatlantic hikes.com
Written 15 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cmejlbo
Columbia, MD72 contributions
Jul 2018
Moderat elevation, plenty of nature, on my last tip with my daughter we saw a bear and a big fat rattlesnake on the path...
Written 30 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin
Mount Jackson, VA51 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Had a nice hike to Big Schloss. Blue skies and nice cooling breeze for a Sunday in July. The trail was very crowded but everyone was pleasant. There are nice places, not just at Big Schloss overlook, to sit and have a snack and enjoy the views. A nice way to spend a couple of hours.
Written 8 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
terrdeter
Oakton, VA145 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Not really in Woodstock, Va; Wolf Gap rec ctr is actually in Warrensville, WVa.
It's quite gruelling on the way up, I had to stop at least twice (am 46yr old woman). Took us over 3hrs to finish as terrain is quite rocky. At the end, neat little bridge and a rock scramble for the amazing views- like being on top of the world.
It's quite gruelling on the way up, I had to stop at least twice (am 46yr old woman). Took us over 3hrs to finish as terrain is quite rocky. At the end, neat little bridge and a rock scramble for the amazing views- like being on top of the world.
Written 21 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dctrentster
Virginia, USA256 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Hardest part is the first 2/3rd mile - pretty rapid increase in altitude. Once up on the ridge the hike is easier. For nearly all sections your hiking on rock so it's important to wear appropriate hiking boots. The views on the ridge-line are worth the hike by itself. The finale of Big Schloss is spectacular. If your seeking fewer hikers (and there are a fair amount) consider Tibbets knob in the other direction from the parking lot.
Written 23 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jayne S
Knoxville, Tennessee
What interstate Hwy is Big Schloss or Woodstock close to?
Written 23 May 2017
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