Shenandoah National Park

Q) When should we arrive and depart? What are the beginning and end points of the excursion?
Check-in for the excursion is 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8th, at Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges. The trip will officially end at the Berry Hollow parking lot of Shenandoah National Park at between 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11th.

Q) How do I reach Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges?
Location: Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges
Address: 205 Graves Mountain Ln, Syria, VA 22743
Approx. 2 hours from Washington, D.C. or Richmond, VA

Q) Who is this retreal ideally suited for?
People who enjoy hiking, are seeking a deeper connection to nature, interested in guided yoga and meditation practices, and value a like-minded community.

Q) How difficult are the hikes?
The hikes range from easy to moderately difficult. While most hikes are between 2-4 miles with gradual elevation change, our hike up Old Rag will include 1,800 feet of elevation gain and descent across 5.5-6 miles, and require the most effort.

Q) How many days are we hiking?
We are hiking 3 out of 4 days, with the first day focused on letting go of day-to-day life and surrendering into the Blue Ridge Mountains and our temporary home at Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges.

Q) What are the hiking trails like?
The hiking trails are a mixture of packed dirt, roots, and rock.

Q) What fitness level is required for this excursion?
Participants should be able to steadily walk/hike up to 8 miles per day with a light backpack over varying terrain and undulations.

Q) What type of footwear is recommended?
Preferred hiking shoes can be quite subjective. Ultimately, the best hiking shoe is one that fits well and offers the proper support, which can vary person to person. If you’re unsure which shoes might work best for you, we recommend visiting your local REI or outdoor retailer, trying on different options, and seeking their professional advice. Additionally, it’s highly discouraged to begin a hiking trip in a new pair of shoes. Make sure you have hiked at least 10-20 miles in the pair of shoes you bring to ensure they’re comfortable.

Q) What weather conditions should we expect?
Early November in the Shenandoah Valley is a beautiful time of year, as Fall is transitioning towards winter. Considering this shoulder season, the weather forecast is highly unpredictable. The highs could range from 40’s-80’s, and the lows from 20’s to 50’s. Also consider that elevation change on our hikes, and that temperatures drop 3-5 degrees for every 1,000ft gained in elevation. With these considerations, plan to pack a variety of layers to ensure adaptability to different weather conditions.

Q) What’s the highest elevation we’ll reach on this trip?
We will likely exceed 4,000 feet in elevation along the way

Q) How can I prepare for this hiking excursion?
While various methods of physical preparation may be beneficial, the most helpful preparation involves regular walking and hiking while carrying the backpack you plan to travel with. While training, it’s ideal to keep anywhere between 10-20 lbs in your backpack and hike trails with undulating terrain.

Q) How can I best prepare myself for the yoga and meditations that we’ll be practicing together?
Himalayan Institute’s online platform, HI Online, is the perfect place to familiarize yourself with our organization’s approach to yoga and wellness. For meditation specifically, we’ll practice the system of Vishoka Meditation. To develop a relationship with this practice before our retreat consider ordering the Vishoka Meditation book.

Q) Will there be cellular data or Wi-Fi connectivity?
Cellular data will be inconsistent throughout the trip considering most of our time will be spent in fairly remote areas. Wi-Fi will be available at Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges.