I'm planning to do a solo hike for 5-10 days, probably in Shenandoah Nat'l Park, in early July. I have hiked quite a bit, but have not hiked solo before. I realize a lot of risks are just "potential" risks, but I'm trying to figure out the best area to do a first solo hike. I wanted people's feedback on a female solo hiking in SNP during summer...

Do you think being close to Skyline Drive may cause more risk (given all the road crossing--lots of tourists--sketchy people?)?

Are there better areas within a day's drive of the D.C. area to hike in July?

Thanks for the feedback!

~Laurel