Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Tanners Ridge Horse Connector Trail

1.0 mi of trail, end to end · Story of the Forest: 1.8 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 30 ft of climbing · 150 ft of descent · 3,367 ft–3,528 ft · earth surface · trail class Developed · hiking

3,528 ft 3,382 ft · 0.8 mi high 3,528 ft

Story of the Forest 1.8 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

1-2 Hours · no dogs

Start Central District (Mile 51)

A color photograph of a wooden sign that reads, “Story of the Forest."

Pets are not allowed on this hike. An easier stroll through the woods that passes next to the Big Meadows Air Quality Station, an important place for scientists and researchers to learn about air quality in Shenandoah.

Distance: 1.8-mile round trip hike

Difficulty: Easiest (explanation of our hiking difficulty scale )

Hiking Time: 1 hours 30 minutes

Elevation Gain: 290 feet

Hike Description

From Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51), follow the sidewalk to the trailhead and take the trail right.

After crossing the bridge, turn left and follow the trail to its intersection with a paved walkway near the campground office.

Turn left and follow the walkway back to your starting point.

Pets Pets are not allowed on Story of the Forest Trail.

Accessibility Although pets are not allowed on the Story of the Forest Trail, service animals are welcome. This trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 317 trails in Shenandoah National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.