Gravel Springs Gap to Mount Marshall Trailhead - Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park

Our late spring 2019 trip to Shenandoah continued with an early June hike on the Appalachian Trail from Gravel Springs Gap north 1.7 miles to the Mount Marshall trailhead. In 1.1 miles, the route climbs 540 feet (an average 9% grade) to the summit of South Marshall before descending 125 feet (-4%) to re-cross Skyline Drive near the Mount Marshall trailhead.

The Gravel Springs Gap parking area has nine paved off-road parking spots and is denoted with roadside signs. On the other hand, the Mount Marshall trailhead parking area has eight off-road parking spots that are not signed on Skyline Drive. Both parking areas are located on the east side of Skyline Drive with Mount Marshall at mile 16.9 and Gravel Springs Gap at mile 17.7 measured from the northern terminus of Skyline Drive at Stonewall Jackson Highway, US 340.

There are three viewpoints atop South Marshall, all south of the summit with the southernmost pair almost atop each other. All views are of the Shenandoah Valley to the west.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

Gravel Springs Gap

Freshly trimmed and maintained trail

Volunteer trail maintainers can use power trimmers in non-wilderness areas

Typical trail conditions

Climbing toward the summit

First viewpoint - Hogback Mountain

Side trail to second viewpoint

Shenandoah Valley

Hogback Mountain

Long Mountain and Buck Mountain

Dickey Ridge

Back on the AT

Third viewpoint

Typical trail conditions atop South Marshall

A trail designed for speed

Well maintained trail

Approaching Skyline Drive

Crossing Skyline Drive

A boulder keeps out most motorized vehicles

Approaching the Mount Marshall trailhead from the AT

The Mount Marshall trailhead on the AT

A Shenandoah National Park entry fee of $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person is valid for seven consecutive days. Other fee payment options include the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($80 for a lifetime), Access Pass (free with a documented disability), and Military Annual Pass (free for active-duty personnel). Also available is a Shenandoah Annual Pass for $55. 

The Shenandoah National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail website is https://www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy website is http://www.appalachiantrail.org/.