Little Schloss & Big Schloss Loop

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Hello friends, it’s been a while!!! For my first overnight hike of 2023, I took a short 1.5-hour drive to the George Washington National Forest. I tackled a 17-mile hike using nearby trails to connect the two popular overlooks. Big Schloss and Little Schloss. It would take me into both Virginia and West Virginia, since some of the trails I used crossed state lines.

The previously mentioned mountains are two stunning peaks that offer hikers a challenging and rewarding adventure. These peaks offer breathtaking views of the surrounding Shenandoah Valley and are a popular destination for hikers.

Part 1: Quick Overview

Part 2: Trip Report

Day 1: April 21st, 2023 (Little Stony Rd to unnamed campsite, 2 miles, 1,132 ft elevation gain)

Because this hike is so close to where I live, I was able to leave right after work on a Friday. I could have just begun it the following morning, but storms were expected, so I wanted to take advantage of an unseasonably warm April day and have at least one night of clear skies and nice weather.

From the parking lot on Little Stony Road (FDR 92), I began ascending the Little Sluice Mountain Trail (TR 398). This would take me to Little Schloss. At the start, I noticed it was purple-blazed, which was unique in my experience. I worked up a good sweat, gaining around 1,000 ft of elevation gain in less than 2 miles. Near the ridge, there were a few switchbacks. I just have to say, it felt good to be back on the trail for the first time since October.

Along with having a relatively steep incline, the trail was much rockier than I expected. Once I made it up to the side trail up to Little Schloss, the trail disappeared entirely and was replaced by a rock scramble to the top.

After doing a bit of climbing, I made it to the vista. The overlook offered a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It’s a great spot to take a break and enjoy a snack while taking in the beautiful scenery. Off in the distance, I could even see Big Schloss, where I would be visiting near the end of my hike.

One mile further down the trail, the trail passed several beautiful vistas and open meadows. Next to two massive pine trees was a fire pit and plenty of flat open space to pitch a tent. Having gone only 2 miles so far, I had plenty of energy left, but this was one of the nicer camp spots I’ve seen, and I could not pass it up.

As the warm, sunny day transitioned into a cool, windy night, I got settled. Above me was a cloudless sky speckled with stars. Off in the distance, I could still see the lights of a nearby city.

Day 2: April 22nd, 2023 (unnamed campsite to Little Stoney Rd parking lot, 15.2 miles, 1,972 ft elevation gain)

I woke up as the sun rose above the eastern peaks. Meanwhile, to the west, ominous clouds had snuck up on me while I was asleep. The forecast called for heavy rain in the afternoon, and I resigned myself to getting rained on at some point.

Once I packed up, the next 4 miles were delightful as the trail turned into a well-maintained forest road. Gone were the vistas, but the path was wide with a gentle grade. As I trekked along, some large and plump wild turkeys flew away when I neared. They were massive and surprisingly agile for their size.

Around mile 6, I left at the fork that brought me on the blue-blazed Tuscarora Trail.

Author’s Note: The Tuscarora Trail is a 250+ mile long-distance trail and also a part of the proposed 2,000+ mile Great Eastern Trail. My plan was much less ambitious, as I had only planned to be on this trail for about 1.5 miles.

It did not take me long to reach the next intersection and turn south onto the orange-blazed Mill Mountain Trail (FT 1004). Like the Little Sluice Trail, this path was rockier, with outcroppings on each side of the trail. I was able to stop a few times and enjoy the scenery. The sky continued to darken as the day grew longer.

From Mill Mountain, I followed the forested ridgeline, and with about one mile to go, I finally saw Big Schloss. The white sandstone ‘Castle’ towered above me as I approached it. It was pretty intimidating, especially knowing the rain could start at any moment, but I was not going to be deterred.

I had to navigate some rocky and steep sections to get to the top, but it was well worth it. The views were breathtaking, and there was no one there. As nice as the vista from Little Schloss was, it couldn’t hold a candle to Big Schloss. The 360-degree views into the surrounding mountains and valleys were some of the most stunning I’ve ever experienced.

I was up there for at least 30 minutes just soaking in the views before I felt the beginnings of raindrops. The incoming storms must have scared everyone away, because in all the time I was there, no one else showed up. Big Schloss is one of the most popular hikes in the area, so it was a rare thing to have it all to yourself. Once the rain picked up a little, I reluctantly began the descent.

I retraced my steps back until reaching the Big Schloss Cut-Off Trail. Once I arrived, I began hiking back to the forest road where I started the day before. The rain fell at a steady pace and was soon joined by the sound of thunder. Sounds of the storms and my footsteps, combined with the other noises, made me think, “Is hiker ASMR a thing?” If not, then it should be.

On my way down, the rhododendrons were in peak bloom. Their pink flowers were in abundance. I usually don’t get to see them like that, so I took a few minutes to enjoy it.

By the time I finally made it to the forest road, my journey was not over. I still had a 2.5-mile road back to my car. Unfortunately, the rain gods could not just let me get home dry. With about 1.5 miles to go, the heavens opened up, and it started pouring. It rained cats and dogs on me all the way to Ol’ Silver. As a cruel joke, the rain slowed to a mist when I placed my key in the door and unlocked my vehicle.

All I could do was give a weary smile as I drove back to civilization. Hey, at least my car was clean.

Part 3: Important Details

Logistics:

This loop is relatively easy to plan for. Along the forest road where the trailhead is, there are numerous, albeit small, parking lots at various points along the way. The forest road is kind of rough, especially for my Mazda 3. High-clearance vehicles would be more than okay handling it, I think. If I were to do this trail again, I would probably park at the Little Stoney Creek Trailhead and do the road walk first, rather than saving it for the end.

Camping/Permits/Fees:

Permits are not required to hike or camp on this trek.

There are an abundance of campsites on each trail segment of this hike, including some sites near the previously mentioned water sources. The open meadow with the spruce trees, shortly after Little Schloss, is one of the better campsites I have ever seen. That site did not have water, so if you plan on staying there, make sure to have enough.

Navigation:

This hike consists of numerous intersecting trails; it is well-marked with blazes. For my hike, I used a GPX file from AllTrails and loaded it into my Garmin fēnix 5x to navigate.

Water:

There were a few good water sources along this trail. I went counterclockwise, and Spruce Run Creek was at approximately mile 5.5, and at mile 9, there was a sandstone spring. Both were small but fast-flowing and clear.

Wildlife/Insect Pressure:

I caught 2 ticks crawling on me during the first few miles leading up to Little Schloss. Luckily, I caught them right away. After that, I didn’t have one the entire trip. Other than that, I didn’t have many issues. The 2nd day was too cold and windy for insects, I guess. As always, Permethrin up, friends!!!

As for wildlife, I saw a few wild turkeys on the trail, which I had never encountered before.

Remoteness/Solitude:

Big Schloss is a very popular destination in Northern Virginia, and I ran into a few people when I reached that landmark. The other trails along the route were completely empty except for me. I also had decent phone service along the trail (Verizon). This loop is close to a major highway, but there are no major cities nearby.

Hazards/Environmental Concerns:

The first day was 87°F and sunny. In late April, the trees were still mostly bare. The second day was mostly cloudy. I had on a long-sleeved sun hoody the first day, so I got away without sunscreen.

Difficulty:

I would categorize this as an easy hike. The ascents up Little Schloss and Big Schloss are steep, but other than that, the trails have a gentle grade. Some are rocky, but for the most part, they are like forest roads. This would make for a great beginner’s backpacking trip if you looking to try and do a shakedown hike.

Last Word

The Little Schloss and Big Schloss Loop is a fantastic hike that you won’t soon forget. The views are worth every step, and you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment when you reach the summits. It is a great trek for both beginners and more experienced hikers. It is also extremely close to DC and northern Virginia, so if you are looking for an easy hike to get to, this might be just the one!!!

Thank you for reading, and if you are looking for more multi-day hikes. Please check them out HERE.