Hike: Big Schloss, GWNF, VA/WV

$26. Long hike: 13 mi., 3000 ft. ascent, 1900 ft. descent. Moderate hike: 8 mi., 2300 ft. ascent, 1200 ft. descent.

If you could take only one hike in George Washington National Forest, the best choice would be Big Schloss, the forest’s premier attraction. And you’d want to do it at the peak of the fall color season. Today, with color blazing, we’ll approach the dramatic rock outcropping on Great North Mtn. from Rt. 759. After passing Woodstock Reservoir, we’ll hit the Little Stony Creek Trail and soon split, with moderate hikers climbing the Big Schloss Cutoff Trail and then taking the Mill Mtn. Trail south to Big Schloss and ending at Wolf Gap. Long hikers continue up the Little Stony Creek Trail to the Mill Mtn. Trail and follow the moderate hikers.