Best Hikes in Virginia

Virginia's best hiking spans Shenandoah's rocky ridge trails, the high southern Blue Ridge balds around Mount Rogers, and the Appalachian Trail in its Virginia traverse — the longest state segment on the AT.

Old Rag Mountain (9 miles, Shenandoah NP)
Virginia's most beloved hike — the Ridge Trail ascends Old Rag's granite ridge through increasingly dramatic rock formations, culminating in a 1-mile rock scramble through boulders, chimneys, and crevices. The summit (3,284 ft) has panoramic views in all directions. The return via the Saddle Trail is a more moderate descent. The hike requires a timed entry reservation in peak season. Allow 6–7 hours.

Whitetop and the Appalachian Trail (Mount Rogers NRA)
From Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park — the AT traverses the open balds of Wilburn Ridge and approaches the forested summit of Mount Rogers (a 9-mile round trip). The open bald terrain above 5,000 feet — with wild ponies grazing among the rhododendron — is unlike anything else in Virginia.

Hawksbill Mountain (4 miles, Shenandoah NP)
The highest peak in Shenandoah — an 8-mile round trip with moderate climbing to the best view in the park. The summit overlook has a stone wall enclosure and bench; the view extends 50+ miles in clear weather.

McAfee Knob (8 miles, Jefferson NF)
Near Roanoke — McAfee Knob (3,197 ft) is the most-photographed viewpoint on the entire Appalachian Trail — a rock ledge projecting from the crest of Catawba Mountain above the Roanoke Valley. The standard out-and-back is 8 miles; the combination with Tinker Cliffs (an adjacent limestone escarpment) is 10.5 miles.

Virginia Creeper Trail (34 miles)
Not a mountain hike but a rail-trail classic — the Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Damascus (and on to Whitetop Station) follows a former railroad grade through the Mount Rogers area's forests, farms, and trestles. The shuttle downhill ride (from Whitetop to Damascus) is an excellent family option. Damascus is the "Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail."