The Appalachian Trail runs all the way up the east coast from Georgia to Maine and covers exactly 2,190 miles. Each year, many hikers attempt to hike the whole trail, but only about one in four hikers make it. If you are up for some adventure but don’t feel the need to attempt the whole thing, Virginia has 544 miles of the trail, which is more than any other state. Over 100 of these miles are in the Shenandoah National Park with great trails and beautiful views. Here is a guide to hiking the Virginia leg of the Appalachian Trail.
Shenandoah National Park
The portion of the Appalachian Trail that runs through Shenandoah National Park is well-maintained and offers some gentle hills for those who are not as experienced. You can hike this portion in the spring, and from September to October. There are also other trails in the park so make sure to follow the white blazes for the Appalachian Trail. The blue blazes indicate a hiking trail and the yellow blazes indicate horse trails.
Grayson Highlands State Park
You can access the Appalachian Trail from Grayson Highlands State Park. Head out on the trail that travels through open fields with beautiful panoramic views. You can visit the area’s famous wild ponies and explore several different types of environments along the way. Make it a short hike and cover just 2 miles, or make it longer and travel up to 10 miles of the trail. Keep in mind that this section tends to have cooler, foggy weather with the potential for bad weather.
The Blue Ridge Park Way
Head farther south for some more difficult terrain. This section of the Appalachian Trail covers several 2,000- and 3,000-foot climbs and crosses over some ridges and valleys on its way to Roanoke. The trail runs roughly parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and even though it is several miles away, it crosses it two times over its 70-mile stretch. You can park at the Humpback Gap parking area and climb Humpback Mountain for a 2-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail, but keep in mind this is a strenuous hike and should not be done by inexperienced hikers.
Angels Rest
If you want some incredible views, hike the portion of the Appalachian Trail that climbs up the northeast portion of Pearis Mountain. Along the way, you’ll come across three beautiful views. The trail starts near Pearisburg and follows several switchbacks up a ridge. Once you get to the crest, you can cross over the boulder garden and come out at Angels Rest. The reward for this challenging hike is spectacular views of the New River Valley. After enjoying the view, head south down along Pearis Mountain to another view, and then on to the Wilburn Valley Overlook.
With hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail running through Virginia, there are hikes for adventurers of all kinds. Choose a relaxing walk along one of the flatter, well-maintained trails, or challenge yourself on some of the steeper climbs.
Image “Thorofare Mountain Overlook, Shenandoah National Park” by MatthewBenson, used under CC BY 2.0
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