Dark Hollow Falls

Dark Hollow Falls is the waterfall that most Shenandoah visitors see, because it is the most accessible: the trailhead sits right on Skyline Drive near Big Meadows, and the hike to the falls is short, about a mile and a half round trip, with the effort concentrated in the climb back out. The cascade drops roughly seventy feet over a series of ledges of greenstone, and the pools and mossy rock below make an excellent place to stop, listen and take photographs. It is a good choice for families, for visitors who want a walk with a payoff and for anyone who wants to see running water without committing to a long day.

The trail descends steadily beside a creek through a forested hollow, and the trick is to remember that the way down is the easy part. The return climb is steep enough that people who started in sandals and enthusiasm sometimes struggle, so take your time, rest at the benches, and carry water.

The trail is rocky and can be slippery after rain, and the sounds of the falls grow louder as you approach. A wooden observation point lets you look up at the upper tiers of the cascade, and the lower viewing areas put you close enough to feel the spray on a warm day.

Water flow changes everything. After a wet spell, the falls roar and the plunge pools fill, and in a dry late summer the cascade can shrink to a trickle that is much less rewarding. Spring snowmelt and rain make April and May dependable, and fall color around the hollow in October is a bonus. In winter the falls can freeze into sculptural ice, though the trail is then hazardous and the road may be closed. Check recent conditions and, if the weather has been dry, consider swapping in a different hike on the same day.

Because the trailhead parking lot is small and popular, arrive early or late in the day to avoid circling for a space, especially on weekends and in leaf season. Pair the falls with Big Meadows, whose visitor center, wayside and open meadow are a few minutes away, and with a ranger program or a picnic.

Stay on the marked trail, because the rocks near the falls are slippery and the park prohibits climbing on the cascade, and carry out everything you carry in. It is a short outing, but a good one, and a favorite of people who want a bit of wild water and then a comfortable lunch.

The hike also fits well into a broader Big Meadows morning. A common plan is to start at the visitor center, walk to the falls while the lot is quiet, return for coffee or a picnic lunch, and then explore the open meadow, which is often the best place on the ridge to see deer in the soft light of late afternoon.

Because the trail is short, it is a good option when weather is uncertain, and because it is steep, it also suits people who want some effort without a full-day commitment. Wear layers, since the hollow is cooler and damper than the road.