Cedar Run-Whiteoak Circuit Trailhead - Syria, VA
Cedar Run-Whiteoak Circuit Trailhead: A Dog-Friendly Hiking Adventure in Syria, Virginia
Located near Syria, VA, the Cedar Run-Whiteoak Circuit Trailhead offers adventurous dog owners a challenging and scenic experience in the heart of Shenandoah. Though not a typical fenced dog park, this pet-friendly trail is well-known for its rugged paths, breathtaking elevation changes, and beautiful swimming holes nestled along the route. The trail is perfect for those seeking dog-friendly hiking in Syria, Virginia, with plenty of natural wonders like waterfalls and a unique natural waterslide making it a memorable outing for both humans and their canine companions.
This trail circuit spans approximately 5.8 to 8 miles, depending on the loop chosen, featuring steep descents and climbs, so bring plenty of water and energy snacks for you and your pup. While dogs must remain leashed due to the challenging terrain and wildlife, the adventure is well worth it, especially in the warmer months when you can enjoy a refreshing swim together. Cedar Run-Whiteoak is a great fit for active pups and experienced hikers looking for pet-friendly trails with stunning mountain views and refreshing creek stops. Please note: this is not a wheelchair-accessible park, and the hike may be unsuitable for beginners or very young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the Cedar Run-Whiteoak Circuit Trailhead features challenging hiking trails with scenic views, waterfalls, and swimming holes along the way.
- Is there a swimming area or pond for dogs? Yes, there are natural swimming holes along the trail where hikers and their dogs can cool off.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? No, the trail is not wheelchair accessible due to steep and rugged terrain.
- Are there activities for kids nearby? While the trail is considered kid-friendly for experienced young hikers, families should exercise caution due to steep and slippery sections.
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? No, due to challenging terrain and wildlife, dogs should remain leashed at all times.
Reviews
This trail down to the natural waterslide is NOT for people unused to laborious hikes! It feels like hiking down a water runout from spring thaws. Some areas are quite steep at the edge of the trail and there is nothing to stop you from tumbling all the way down. One wrong misstep and you’d be waiting hours for help to come get you (if you made it alive in the first place). Then, there’s the natural waterslide itself. It was very slippery on the inside of the pool and had areas with sharp-edged rocks sticking up. We had three kids with us (10, 11, and 12) and only one of them actually tried the slide because she’s a daredevil 😂 The incline of the slide and the depth of the pool at the bottom scared the other two off. It was definitely an adventure for us, but I doubt we’d ever go again. It turned too much into “working” rather than “playing” and enjoying nature. Maybe that’s what does it for others, not us 😉
Me and my girlfriend took this long trail. I wouldn’t suggest taking this trail if it is your first time. I only gave it a 4* because there is a section of the trail where if you go to far off. You will die or maybe just be severely injured, not to mention the walking area is very thin. I won’t recommend for beginners. But I did get some nice shots of the area.
This trail is definitely a hard one with a nice elevation gain. We did a sunrise hike to avoid the crowd and heat, got the trail to ourselves and could swim for quite sometime. It takes a little more time to head back since it’s just uphill, should be approx 5.8 miles out and back.
Great 8 mile loop but you will do about 2000 feet of vertical elevation down to the bottom…. then you need to come back up! Not an easy hike, you’ll need 2-3 liters of water per person and some energy food. Bring your bathing suit, nice swimming holes along the way. Also, watch for snakes along the trail. They are not aggressive unless you step on them or bother them, just let them lie and just get around them.
Getting to this trail was stunningly breathtaking. I wish I had more time to view each outlook located on Skyline Drive another must see. Having had rain recently the trail was a bit slippery, however it was beautiful, mostly well marked and enough of a challenge that I did not miss my daily workout. The waterfalls along the hike are lovely. I look forward to hiking it again in the summer or fall.