Season Visited: Spring
Trail Length: 1.4-miles there and back
Time to Hike: One and a half to two and a half hours
Difficulty Level: 3
Dark Hollow Falls Trial is located, like South Rivers Falls Trail, in Shenandoah National Park. It begins on mile 50.7 of Skyline Drive in the Big Meadows area. The waterfall itself is a lovely 70-foot cascade with lots of fun rocks to play around on (though there are plenty of warnings to stay on the path - disobey at your own risk). This is a fairly popular trail, but it's never overly crowded in my experience. It's great when you want to kill a couple of hours in the park but don't want to kill yourself with anything too difficult. Still, the uphill climb back from the falls can be quite tiring.
Warning at the top of the falls. It honestly cracks me up lol. This photo was taken on my first trip, at the end of March a few years ago. The rest were taken in May of last year.
Start at the Dark Hollow Falls parking area. The beginning of the trail is a pleasant walk near a creek. There are chipmunks everywhere around here!
You'll spend the next half hour or so heading downhill. There are beautiful flowers and butterflies along the way.
Cabbage white butterfly.
Most of the trail is an even gravel slope. While I'm usually a stickler for natural rock or dirt, the beauty of the woods surrounding the trail and falls allows me to excuse this :)
Travel onwards and you will arrive at Dark Hollow Falls. There is a spot to rest here. Have fun with the photo ops!
My sister Amy in the pool of Dark Hollow Falls.
Me at the falls.
I have hiked this trail twice, and the first time I headed back up from here. However, the trail goes on downhill for a little longer to a bridge where some trails meet, and the bottom of the falls, while less spectacular, is still absolutely gorgeous. I recommend going all the way.
The true bottom of the falls.
As a warning, heading back up is not nearly as much fun as going down. I personally need a few rest stops along the way. Nevertheless, it's certainly not unmanageable and it's more than worth it. All in all, Dark Hollow Falls really is a beautiful trail. It's fun and doesn't take too long to hike. If you want a short but rewarding hike while at Shenandoah, this is the one for you!
Keep wandering, and enjoy your hike.
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