Virginia

Looking for the best hiking in Virginia? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Virginia. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Virginia

  • Salem, Virginia

    McAfee Knob

    4.7
    7.79 mi / 1296 ft gain
    Intro McAfee Knob is one of the most photographed and picturesque locations along the Appalachian Trail. Once you reach McAfee Knob, you'll have almost 270 degree views of the the Roanoke Valley to the East, Catawba Valley and North Mountain to the West, and Tinker Cliffs to the North. Due to t...
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  • Elkton, Virginia

    Rocky Mount Trail Loop

    3.2
    9.58 mi / 2513 ft gain
    The trail begin 0.1 miles north of Two Mile Run Overlook at milepost 76.2 on Skyline Drive. You can park at this overlook for the night, just make sure you fill out a (free) wilderness permit and walk the short way on Skyline Drive to the trailhead. Immediately climb a wooded knoll before headin...
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  • Afton, Virginia

    Humpback Rocks

    4.6
    1.73 mi / 833 ft gain
    This little hike is one of the most popular in the area, and for good reason! It's a short and steep one mile to the top, but the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park to the east, are some of the best around. It's somewhat of a tradition for students from the Universit...
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  • Etlan, Virginia

    Old Rag Mountain Loop

    4.7
    8.95 mi / 2467 ft gain
    Be prepared to deal with crowds, especially on the rock scrambles, which tend to cause a bottle neck on this trail in Shenandoah National Park. I would recommend starting out early on this loop hike, around 6 or 7 am to avoid the crowds. Definitely arrive no later than 9:30am, as the parking lot ...
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  • Tyro, Virginia

    Spy Rock via Cash Hollow

    4.9
    5.71 mi / 1191 ft gain
    The hike is part of the George Washington National Forest, and can easily be combined with nearby Crabtree Falls (300ft cascading waterfall with a hike to the top). The entire trip is 5.7 miles, and there are nice campsites at the base of the summit (no water source) if you want to add on this pr...
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  • Duffield, Virginia

    Hike the Devil's Bathtub

    5.0
    3.96 mi / 449 ft gain
    The Devil’s Bathtub is a deep pool of blue-green water known for being a great swimming hole and a beautiful natural feature. This hike is a 3.2 mile out and back hike with 250 feet elevation gain. There are at least 15 stream crossings, so extreme caution should be taken during periods of mediu...
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  • Elkton, Virginia

    Bearfence Mountain Loop

    4.8
    1.04 mi / 220 ft gain
    This is one of my favorite hikes in Shenandoah National Park for its views, easy access to the trail, and the option to combine it with a much further hike on the AT. There is also a really fun little rock scramble at the top that scares a lot of people away, but makes for a more secluded summit,...
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  • Mouth of Wilson, Virginia

    Mount Rogers via Appalachian Trail

    5.0
    9.1 mi / 1549 ft gain
    First of all, who doesn't love wild ponies!  There are tons of ponies here, and although they are wild, they are not afraid of people and you can get pretty close (just don't feed them!).   Once you enter Grayson Highlands State Park, you will see a parking lot for Massie Gap a few miles in, par...
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  • Luray, Virginia

    Little Stony Man, Shenandoah National Park

    4.7
    1.23 mi / 433 ft gain
    The parking lot for the trail is right before mile 40 on Skyline drive in Shenandoah National Park. The entire out and back is only .9 miles, so it's the perfect hike to take in a sunset after a long day, take a break from driving, or just pick a hike that is family and dog friendly as Stoney Ma...
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  • Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

    Hike Devil's Marbleyard

    5.0
    3.24 mi / 1421 ft gain
    Want to scale the side of a rock face? If you do, I highly suggest adding this adventure to your list. Hiking to the marbleyard and back to the parking lot will have you at a 3 mile journey. How many hours will it take to hike the trail and tackle Antietam Quartzite boulders larger than cars you ...
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  • Tyro, Virginia

    Crabtree Falls

    4.5
    3.05 mi / 1161 ft gain
    This is an approximately 3 mile roundtrip hike. It will usually take anywhere from 1-2 hours to get up, depending on your experience and who you have with you, and about an hour down. As you come off of route 56, you will come up to the trailhead where there is a large parking area with restroom...
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  • Bedford, Virginia

    Sharp Top Trail

    4.7
    2.91 mi / 1296 ft gain
    Once thought to be the highest peak in Virginia, this 2.5 hour hike is one that will leave you speechless at the top. Park at the Peaks of Otter Nature Center (which is now closed). The trailhead is located to the right of the building. You will cross over a paved bus road soon after beginning th...
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  • Lyndhurst, Virginia

    Backpack Three Ridges Loop

    4.6
    14.2 mi / 3960 ft gain
    From the parking area at Reids Gap, start off on the white-blazed A.T heading south as the trail begins on the left side of a clearing. You will begin climbing Meadow Mountain shortly and in .8 miles arrive at the top of the ridge, where you will continue on downhill for another .8 miles until y...
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  • Catawba, Virginia

    Dragon's Tooth Trail

    4.9
    4.44 mi / 1394 ft gain
    From I-81: Exit 140 and take Highway 311 north for 11 miles towards New Castle. Dragon’s Tooth parking lot is on the left, just past Catawba Grocery. LAT 37.3787 LONG -80.1563 Ready to tackle the Dragon? This 4.6 mile, out and back, trail provides one with a true hiking experience. The hike wil...
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  • Amherst, Virginia

    Mount Pleasant Loop

    4.6
    5.98 mi / 1427 ft gain
    From the Mount Pleasant Parking Area, take the blue blazed Pompey Mountain Trail that is just beyond the horse gate. As it's a loop, you can start at either entrance, but I prefer heading left to get the longer leg of the hike before the summit (always better to have an easy journey down in the a...
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  • Bluemont, Virginia

    Hike to Bears Den Overlook

    4.4
    1.31 mi / 164 ft gain
    Bears Den is a collection of rocks and boulders that overlooks the Shenandoah Valley in northern Virginia, just off the Appalachian Trail. You have two options to access this overlook: park at the bottom of the mountain and hike up to the overlook via the trail, or drive to the top and access the...
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