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Virginia Trailfinder
Hiker standing on a rocky Appalachian Trail overlook above layered Blue Ridge mountains at sunrise

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian Trail in Virginia

Virginia carries more AT mileage than any other state — balds and wild ponies in the southwest, the Triple Crown above Roanoke, and a hundred miles of Shenandoah ridge.

Full trail
About 2,190 miles, remeasured each year by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
In Virginia
Roughly 550 miles — more than any other state
States crossed
14 states, Georgia to Maine

Virginia section index

Every section, south to north.

Shelters & camping

Shelter listings and camping rules.

Trail towns & resupply

Where to restock, eat, and rest.

Plan a section hike

Checklists, seasons, and safety.

9 Virginia sections

Broken at natural road crossings and resupply points, south to north. Mileages are approximate and change with relocations.

  1. 01Damascus to Mount Rogers Highlands60 mi · 4-6 daysDamascus (US 58) → Massie Gap / Grayson Highlands
  2. 02Mount Rogers Highlands to Atkins45 mi · 3-4 daysMassie Gap / Grayson Highlands → Atkins (VA 683 / I-81 exit 54)
  3. 03Atkins to Pearisburg85 mi · 6-8 daysAtkins (VA 683) → Pearisburg (US 460)
  4. 04Pearisburg to Catawba90 mi · 6-8 daysPearisburg (US 460) → Catawba (VA 311)
  5. 05Triple Crown: Catawba to Daleville35 mi · 2-3 daysCatawba (VA 311) → Daleville (US 220)
  6. 06Daleville to Buena Vista80 mi · 5-7 daysDaleville (US 220) → Buena Vista (US 60)
  7. 07Buena Vista to Waynesboro60 mi · 4-5 daysBuena Vista (US 60) → Waynesboro (Rockfish Gap, I-64)
  8. 08Shenandoah National Park (Rockfish Gap to Front Royal)105 mi · 6-9 daysRockfish Gap (I-64) → Front Royal (US 522)
  9. 09Front Royal to Harpers Ferry55 mi · 3-5 daysFront Royal (US 522) → Harpers Ferry, WV

The trail beyond Virginia

Context for anyone planning a longer hike: how each state along the AT tends to feel.

  • GeorgiaSouthern terminus at Springer Mountain; steep, rooty, and the traditional NOBO start.
  • North CarolinaShares long stretches with Tennessee along the state-line ridge.
  • TennesseeIncludes Roan Highlands balds and the Smokies high country.
  • VirginiaThe longest state section — around 550 miles from Damascus to Harpers Ferry.
  • West VirginiaBrief but symbolic: Harpers Ferry hosts the ATC visitor center.
  • MarylandShort, well-graded, and popular for first section hikes.
  • PennsylvaniaKnown for rocky tread through the northern half.
  • New JerseyBoardwalks, wetlands, and reliable bear sightings.
  • New YorkRolling terrain with rock steps and easy rail access from the city.
  • ConnecticutRiver walking along the Housatonic.
  • MassachusettsBerkshire ridges and Mount Greylock.
  • VermontShares tread with the Long Trail; famously muddy in spring.
  • New HampshireThe White Mountains — the hardest sustained terrain on the trail.
  • MaineThe Hundred-Mile Wilderness and the northern terminus at Katahdin.

Appalachian Trail questions

How many miles of the Appalachian Trail are in Virginia?
Roughly 550 miles — more than any other state, about a quarter of the whole trail. The exact figure shifts slightly each year as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy remeasures relocations.
Where does the Appalachian Trail enter and leave Virginia?
It enters from Tennessee near Damascus in the southwest and leaves at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in the north after crossing the Shenandoah National Park ridgeline.
Can you day hike the Appalachian Trail in Virginia?
Yes. McAfee Knob, Dragon's Tooth, Tinker Cliffs, and dozens of Shenandoah access points make excellent day hikes from road crossings without an overnight commitment.
Do you need a permit to backpack the AT in Virginia?
Shenandoah National Park requires a backcountry permit, reserved through Recreation.gov. As of the last check it is a paid permit — $6 per reservation plus $9 per person — and it is separate from the park entrance fee. National forest sections generally do not require a permit, but camping rules vary by district. Verify current fees and rules with the managing agency before your trip.