By:
Submission
A small parking lot (12? spots) with trails going to a rock formation (0.5 miles) on one direction or a hike (~2.5 miles round trip). The ranger at the visitor center recommended the rocks and said the trail was too steep for kids. It was fun to climb on the rocks.
Compton Peak Trail begins on the AT directly across from the Compton Gap Parking Area located after milepost 10. A trail kiosk found at the far end of the lot details the short 2.4 mi r/t hike incl the two spurs at the top. At the intersection at the top go right (west) to view the wonderful overlook of the Shenandoah Valley. But DO NOT miss going left (east) to see the amazing & unusual volcanic columns created by uneven cooling of rising magma. Be sure to follow the blue blaze down and around the overlook boulder at the end to discover the wall of columnar joints. Both spurs are only 0.2 mi. (I'd suggest seeing the columns first.) This is a really great, short hike! Nice ascent and great destinations. Poles are advised.
