Wild Oak Trail
~3 days · 28 mi · hard · Loop
Quick facts
What the Wild Oak Trail is known for
The Wild Oak Trail is a roughly 25-27-mile national recreation trail loop in the North River area of George Washington National Forest, Virginia, climbing over Little Bald Knob and Hankey Mountain with substantial elevation change. Commonly backpacked in 2-3 days from the North River Gap area; as a loop it can be started at several road crossings.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 5,253 ft to 14,167 ft over 28 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 12.4 mi · 45%
- Downhill 13.9 mi · 51%
- Flat 1.2 mi · 5%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Wild Oak Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Wild Oak Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 28 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Wild Oak Trail?
The Wild Oak Trail climbs roughly 6,952 ft total — about 248 ft per mile, topping out near 4,347 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.