Big Schloss
It's not actually in Shenandoah National Park, just saying.
The total mileage is 4 miles, not too hard.
To start the hike, one must enter through the narrow backroads of George Washington National Forest. (Which isn't really so bad, we made it in a low BMW)
You park your car at Wolf Gap Recreation Area, and walk a little ways to the trailhead. The trailhead is actually another trail named Mill Mountain Trail. This is the hardest part of the trail. For three-fourths of a mile one climbs brutal switchbacks, breaking backs and and legs and such other vitals for hiking. Just kidding.
At the top of that is something that is just unspeakably beautiful. On either side of you can see for miles, through trees or over shrubs. It's so amazing. The trail continues to straddle VA and WV for about a mile (I can't recall). Cool ridge hike.
Eventually there is a trail that branches off, called Big Schloss Spur Trail. It's a fourth of a mile to the summit from here. The trail gets wider here, so you can't always see on both sides. You cross a bridge, and you reach the outcropping that is the summit of Big Schloss.
Fun Fact- Schloss means castle in German. Big Castle describes the hike pretty well.
