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17.3 km
~4 hrs 35 min
682 m
Out and Back
“A steady ridge-to-ridge ramble over Lick and Broad Run, with forest hush and winter view-glimpses.”
This is a longer ridge-and-hollow outing of about 17 km (10.6 mi) with roughly 700 m (2,300 ft) of climbing, linking two prominent Shenandoah-area ridgelines—Lick Mountain and Broad Run Mountain—via the Ferrier Trail. Expect sustained uphill work, a few steeper pitches, and a mix of shaded forest walking with periodic ridge openings and winter views.
Because your “Hike head: near …” and the hike type are incomplete, I can’t reliably convert the start point to a nearest address/landmark yet. If you paste the trailhead coordinates (lon/lat) or the parking/trailhead name, I’ll pin it to the closest recognized landmark/address and tailor the driving/transit directions precisely.
Exact splits vary depending on the trailhead used and how the loop/connector segments are arranged, but for planning a 17 km / 700 m day, this is a realistic structure:
1) Trailhead to first sustained climb (0–3 km / 0–1.9 mi)
A warm-up section that’s often gentler: forested walking, stream-side or hollow travel depending on the approach.
- Gain: ~100–200 m (330–650 ft) gradually.
2) Ferrier Trail climb to the ridge (3–7 km / 1.9–4.3 mi)
This is where the day “starts.” Expect a steady climb with intermittent rocky steps and a few switchbacks or contouring traverses.
- Gain: ~350–450 m (1,150–1,475 ft) over this block.
3) Ridge travel: Lick Mountain toward Broad Run Mountain (7–13 km / 4.3–8.1 mi)
Once you’re up high, the grade usually eases into rolling ridge walking with short punchy ups/downs. This is often the most scenic-feeling portion: quieter woods, occasional openings, and long stretches away from roads.
- Gain: ~150–250 m (490–820 ft) in smaller increments.
4) Descent and return (13–17 km / 8.1–10.6 mi)
The final leg is typically a sustained downhill back into the hollow/approach corridor. Downhills here can be deceptively tiring—leaf litter over rock can be slick, and knees take a beating.
- Loss: most of your elevation back to the trailhead; plan careful footing.
This route can involve multiple junctions and ridge connectors where it’s easy to follow the “most worn” path the wrong way, especially under leaf cover. - Download the route on HiiKER
Surfaces
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