Hiking Guide: Compton Peak from Jenkins Gap via the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park
View from the summit
Sure, it might not be as famous as Old Rag, but Compton Peak still boasts some stunning views of the surrounding valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. Plus, at a little over three miles, it is a lot shorter of a hike, making it the perfect trail for when you don’t feel like walking a ton but still want a nice view.
Trail Info
Trail name: Compton Peak from Jenkins Gap via the Appalachian Trail (AllTrails map)
Location: Shenandoah National Park, VA, USA
Length: 3.1 miles
Type: Out and back
Elevation gain: 663 feet
Foot traffic: Light
Time to complete: 1 hour and 45 minutes (1 hour and 34 minutes of move time)
When to hike: I hiked this trail in the summer, but if I were to hike it again, I would opt for the spring or fall when the weather is a bit cooler and less muggy.
Difficulty: Easy
My rating: 3 out of 5
Hiking the Trail: What to Expect
After parking your car, you will make your way to the trailhead, which is a stone’s throw from the parking lot. Look for the dirt path with a concrete marker to the left – that is the start of the trail.
A short distance into the hike, you will come to a four-way intersection. Straight leads to the Jenkins-Gap Trail, and right and left put you on the Appalachian Trail. You want to head to the right. From now until you reach the summit, you will just keep walking straight along a narrow dirt path. You will encounter a few inclines, as well as some stone steps and a small creek, but most of the trail is level and fairly easygoing.
Right before the summit, you will encounter another four-way intersection. Forward is north on the Appalachian Trail, and right and left lead toward the east and west summits, respectively.
I opted for the west summit, and if you also choose this summit, you will want to turn left at the intersection. A little way down the path, the trail becomes rocky, and you have to walk up a fairly slick rock. Be sure to watch your footing.
The trail remains quite rocky from here until the summit, so continue to watch your footing to prevent any tripping.
Before too long, you will reach the summit and be rewarded with a beautiful view of the nearby mountains and valley. Stop for lunch or a snack before heading back down.
To return to your car, you will follow the same path that you took up to the summit (this is an out-and-back trail). Take in and enjoy the scenery once more while backtracking your steps.
Tips
Bring water and snacks. This might be a fairly short hike, but you should still bring food and water with you.
Wear sunblock. Don’t end up with a sunburn; put on some sunblock.
Pack some bug spray. The majority of this hike is through a forest (i.e., lots of bugs).
Wear a good pair of hiking boots or shoes. Your feet will thank you as you walk across the portions of the trail that are rocky.
Stay on the trail. You should always stay on the trail when hiking, but that is especially true for this trail. Along portions of the trail, I spotted poison ivy off to the side.
I hope you found this guide useful, and as always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below. Happy hiking!
