Humpback Rock

Humpback Rock is a mountain summit in the Blue Ridge Mountains with steep greenstone formations reaching about 3,080 feet (940 m) in elevation. The western face displays exposed rocky outcrops that define its distinctive shape.

Between 1851 and the early 1900s, the Humpback Gap served as a camping stop for wagoners traveling between Howardsville and Shenandoah Valley. This route was an important trade path through the mountain region.

The visitor center displays mountain life through an outdoor museum styled after an 1890s farm, showing how residents once lived and worked in the region. You can see the tools and spaces that shaped daily existence here.

The main trail is about 2 miles (3.2 km) long with steep sections climbing to the summit. Connections to the Appalachian Trail offer options for longer hikes, so bring plenty of water and sturdy footwear.

The mountain is built from granite formed about one billion years ago during the Grenville Orogeny, later covered by greenstone from basaltic magma. This layered geology opens a window into deep time.

Location: Virginia

GPS coordinates: 37.96130,-78.90064

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:21