Snickers Gap - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

At 1,056 feet (322 m) the gap is approximately 300 to 600 feet (91 to 183 m) below the adjacent ridge line and 400 to 600 feet (120 to 180 m) above the surrounding countryside.Snickers Gap is one of the lowest wind gaps of the ridge in Virginia due to the reducing height of the Blue Ridge as it approaches the Potomac River.

The gap provides year-round access to ridge-top deciduous forest. It is a good stopping place to look for woodland birds such as pileated and red-bellied woodpeckers, cedar waxwing, and the occasional ruffed grouse or wild turkey.

The area is also popular for its numrous hiking trails, one of it is to the Raven Rocks. The 3,540 kilometres long Appalachian Trail also passes through Snickers Gap with a stop at the Snickers Gap.

From September 14 to 21, thousands of migrating birds of prey migrate through Snickers Gap. The area is an established hawk watching site since 1990 and since then counts have taken place in every autumn.

The most common species seen during the migration is the broad-winged hawk. Depending on weather conditions, 1000s or 10,000s of them migrate through here. Other species frequenting the area include red-tailed, sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks, northern harrier , osprey, bald eagle, American kestrel, merlin, and peregrine falcon.

Each fall supports the opportunity to see a few rarities, especially later in the season. Golden eagle and northern goshawk have appeared annually, and rough-legged and Swainsons hawks on extreme rare occassions.

Many other species also use the ridge top as a migration corridor, including migrant passerines such as warblers, vireos, thrushes and tanagers and, occasionally, migrant waterfowl. Monarch butterflies and dragonflies also migrate along the ridge, providing food for the migrating American kestrels and broad-winged hawks.

Birds that are recently spotted at Snickers Gap

Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Golden Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Snickers Gap has been a major thoroughfare between the Piedmont and the Shenandoah Valley even before the European colonization of the area. Native Americans originally cut a trail through the gap that continued to be used by white settlers. The gap was known as Williams' Gap until the early 1780s by the European colonists.

The gap derived its name from Edward Snickers, who owned the gap and surrounding land and operated a ferry across the Shenandoah River on the western side of the gap.

By the late 18th century, two Turnpikes- the Snickersville Turnpike and the Snickers Gap Turnpike were completed. Snickers Gap then became the main thoroughfare between Loudoun County and the Shenandoah, bypassing Keyes Gap, which to that point had been the preferred route.

The two turnpikes joined at Snickersville (present-day Bluemont) and then proceeded over the gap to Winchester. The toll at the gap persisted well into the 20th century. The Snickers Gap turnpike was eventually made into Virginia State Route 7, and the toll was dropped.

The gap was the scene of many small American Civil War skirmishes, and part of the Battle of Cool Spring (sometimes referred to as the "Battle of Snicker's Gap") took place there.

Snicker’s Gap is at its best in autumn, from September 14 to 21. Thousands of migrating birds of prey stream past overhead through the gap.

• Keep a lookout on the hawk count website to see exactly when the migrations are happening.
• Bring some hiking gear as well. There are numerous trails available in the area.

1. Snickers Gap was originally called William's Gap until the 1780s. The new name was derived from Edward Snickers, who owned the gap and surrounding land. He also operated a ferry across the Shenandoah River on the western side of the gap.
2. The 3,540 kilometres long Appalachian Trail that passes through 14 states also passes through Snickers Gap.
3. Snickers Gap is one of the lowest wind gaps of the ridge in Virginia.
4. A toll gate existed at Snickers Gap well into the 20th century.

Snickers Gap is popular for its bird watching opportunity during autumn migration of the hawks. It is recomended to camp there from September 14 to 21 to see the natural phenomina. For the exact timing of the migrations, you can refer to the hawk count website. If you are not visiting for bird watching, there are numerous hiking trails in the area that you can do in half a day to one day.

From Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area, travel west on Virginia Route 7 to the intersection with Virginia Route 601. There is a public commuter parking lot available at Snickers Gap. From Winchester, travel east on Route 7 to the intersection with Route 601.

There is no fee to enter Snickers Gap.

As there is a main road going throug Snickers Gap, it is open 24 hours daily.