10 Gorgeous Virginia Hiking Trails
Virginia is for lovers, and if you love sightseeing, this is certainly the place to be. Virginia boasts a high number of hiking trails set at any level of expertise you can imagine. This list of 10 gorgeous hiking trails in Virginia ranges in length and difficulty, and you’re bound to find a great trail to check out.
1. Great Falls Loop
Set at moderate difficulty, Great Falls Loop can be found in McLean, VA. The loop itself spans for 4.1 miles and would take about an hour and a half to complete if you hiked the entire trail. The loop follows along the Potomac River and, should you choose to start the trail clockwise, you’ll find tons of beautiful overlooks to stop and admire along the way! There is a $20 parking fee for each car, but the experience is worth the money.
2. Mary’s Rock
Another moderate trail to hike, Mary’s Rock is located at Shenandoah National Park, VA. This trail is about 3.4 miles out and back, taking about 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete in its entirety. When getting to the top, the trail boasts gorgeous views of the Shenandoah Valley along with Massanutten Mountain. You’ll definitely want to give this trail a try when embarking on your next Virginia hiking adventure. The fee to enter and park is $15.
3. Humpback Rock
One of my personal favorites on the list, Humpback Rock is located near Nellysford, VA. The loop is 4.3 miles, and the hike itself would take around 2 hours and 25 minutes to complete, setting it at moderate difficulty. Enjoy a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains once you reach the top of this trail! The trail starts off steep, so you’ll have to exert quite a bit of physical activity at the beginning, but it gets easier as you go along. The view is worth the work!
4. Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls is located in Pembroke, VA, and as the name implies, the beautiful waterfalls you’ll encounter along the way are worth every step of this hike. The trail is 3.8 miles altogether, and the hike would take you roughly an hour and 50 minutes to complete – not bad compared to the others on this list! Additionally, Cascade Falls features an open swimming hole, making this hike perfect for the summertime. I’ve hiked this trail before, and I couldn’t get enough of the easy-to-access waterfalls.
5. Stony Man
Possibly the easiest hike on this list, Stony Man, located in Luray, VA, is another facet of the Appalachian Trail. The trails spans for 1.47 miles out and back, which would only take you about an hour or so. This trail provides another great view of the Shenandoah Valley as well as Massanutten Mountain. If you want something much easier or maybe you’re not as experienced, Stony Man is the way to go! This trail makes for a particularly good sunset hike.
6. Dragon’s Tooth
Located in Catawba, VA, Dragon’s Tooth is one of the more difficult hikes on the list. If you’re looking for a challenge, look into this hike! The hike spans for 4.44 miles and would take about 3 hours altogether. There’s no fee for this hike, so you can enjoy it for free. In addition, you can camp near the trail as well! If you’re hungry before or after your hike, there’s a restaurant filled with southern cooking staples nearby called Home Place Restaurant. Be sure to grab a bite to eat and reward yourself after this one!
7. Blackrock Summit
This is arguably the easiest hike on the list! Blackrock Summit can be found in Grottoes, VA, and is only a mile long, taking about 45 minutes to hike the whole trail. This is a great hike to take kids on, as they’re less likely to get tired or exhausted along the way. You’ll still end up with a beautiful, picturesque view once you get to the top – just without a crazy amount of physical activity. As this trail is another staple of Shenandoah National Park, it does require a fee of $30, but the fee is good for seven days.
8. Old Rag Mountain
Old Rag Mountain is a super challenging facet of Shenandoah National Park. Near Sperryville in Madison County, VA, This hike is 9.4 miles and is estimated to roughly 7 or 8 hours to complete. The trail is super steep and rocky, requiring a great amount of physical exertion to complete. This is the most popular trail at the park, so be sure to arrive super early if you choose to check this one out in order to avoid crowds. Make sure you are extra prepared for this hike, bringing plenty of food and water and being in the best physical shape – this is a difficult one!
9. McAfee Knob
McAfee Knob is one of the most popular hiking destinations on the East Coast, making it an essential addition to this list! This trail is located around the Roanoke Valley in VA and is one of the most photographed spots in Virginia. The hike to the top is about 4 miles long and would take about 4 hours to complete. The views of Roanoke Valley at the top of the trail are absolutely stunning, so you’ll want to bring your camera!
10. Hawksbill Loop
Our final addition to our list of Virginia hiking trails is Hawksbill Loop! This is a 3 mile hike, putting it at a moderate time of 2 hours to hike. The trail is located near Syria, VA and has incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. There are a few rocky paths to prepare for, but nothing too concerning! You’ll mostly be venturing through the forest until you get to a gorgeous vantage point at the very top.
Which of these trails will you be adding to your bucket list? Which of your favorite Virginia hiking trails did we leave out?
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