This trek will be led by Rachel Widman! Rachel is an experienced Lech-Lecha trekker and guide. You can learn more about Rachel here.

All Skill Levels Welcome.

While the mileage is manageable, the route includes a descent into the valley on Friday and a climb out on Sunday. We’ll move at a steady, supportive pace with plenty of time to rest and enjoy the experience.

Elkwallow Picnic Grounds – Shenandoah National Park, VA

Our trip will begin near Elkwallow Picnic Grounds, located along Skyline Drive in the northern section of Shenandoah National Park.

• ~1.5–2 hours from Washington, DC

• ~4.5–5 hours from New York City

  
  

This location gives us direct access to a quieter part of the park, allowing us to begin hiking into the backcountry quickly and efficiently.

The trailhead is accessible by car and you can park there. If you need a ride or have room in your car, you can connect with other participants to coordinate.

(Subject to change depending on weather and trail conditions)

Day 1 — Friday, July 3 – 10am

Distance: ~3–4 miles

Elevation gain: ~1,000–1,500 ft gain, ~1,500 ft descent

We will arrive at Shenandoah National Park and meet at Elkwallow Picnic Grounds by 10am.

We begin hiking along the Knob Mountain Trail, gradually ascending through forest before descending into the Jeremy’s Run valley.

Camp along Jeremy’s Run creek in a quiet backcountry setting in time to prepare for Shabbat.

We want to make sure we can get on the trail in time to set up camp for Shabbat and navigate any Fourth of July traffic.

Day 2 — Saturday, July 4

We spend Shabbat in the backcountry, camped beside Jeremy’s Run.

The day is open for rest, reflection, conversation, and time in nature, with optional short walks along the creek.

Day 3 — Sunday, July 5

Distance: ~4-5 miles

Elevation gain: ~1,000–1,500 ft gain

We break camp and continue along the Jeremy’s Run Trail, gradually making our way out of the valley. We complete the loop and return to the trailhead.

Despite the longer mileage, we will give ourselves plenty of time to finish this hike and everyone to the trailhead by 4pm.

Entering the Quiet

This trip is an invitation to step out of the constant movement of daily life and into a more grounded, present way of being.

As we hike into the backcountry, we’re not just creating physical distance from the outside world—we’re creating space internally. Space to slow down, to listen more closely, and to reconnect with what is most real.

Spending Shabbat in the wilderness offers a unique opportunity: to experience rest not as something we force, but as something we naturally fall into when we remove distractions.

We welcome people of all levels of Jewish observance. Our trips are structured to ensure that participants who observe Shabbat and kashrut can do so comfortably.

We will arrive at our campsite before Shabbat on Friday (where we will built a kosher eruv) and spend Shabbat resting.

Lech-Lecha provides:

• All kosher food

• Tents

• Cooking equipment and stoves

• All communal gear

Participants must bring:

• Backpack

• Sleeping bag

• Sleeping pad

• Hiking boots or trail shoes

• Weather-appropriate hiking clothing

Gear rentals are available for this trip, for an additional fee.

To learn more about this trek, please contact:

Noam Levenson – Noam@lechlechajourneys.org

Director of Programming

Or our trek leader: Rachel (rwidman18@gmail.com)