What is the hardest day hike in Virginia?

Old Rag's rock scramble in Shenandoah National Park is the most commonly cited, and it requires a day-use ticket in the busy season. Difficulty depends as much on heat, ice, and crowding as on the route itself.

Do I need a permit to hike in Virginia?

Most trails need no permit. Shenandoah National Park charges entrance fees and requires an Old Rag day-use ticket seasonally; Virginia State Parks charge parking fees. Always confirm on the managing agency's page linked from each trail entry.

When is the best time to hike in Virginia?

Late September through early November brings stable weather, low humidity, and fall color. Spring is excellent for waterfalls. Summer is best at higher elevations or early in the day.

Hike the mountains

Virginia day hikes, summits, and waterfalls

Difficulty ratings you can act on, real elevation numbers, and the permit and parking details that decide whether a trip works.

Pick a hike by effort

Ratings here describe sustained effort and terrain, not just distance. A three-mile rock scramble can be harder than a ten-mile ridge walk.

Easy

Gentle grades and stable footing — good for families and first hikes.

Northern Virginia

Burke Lake Loop

Distance: 4.7mi
Elevation gain: 200ft
Hiking time (estimate): ~1h55

EasyNo line on file

Crushed stone
Shaded

Why goConsistent 4.7-mile loop.

Shenandoah National Park

Stony Man

Distance: 1.6mi
Elevation gain: 340ft
Time (agency): ~1h23

EasyNo line on file

Rocky
Shaded
Ridgeline

Why goBig view for little effort.

Eastern Shore

Kiptopeke State Park Trail System

Distance: 5.1mi
Elevation gain: Gain not on file
Hiking time (estimate): Your call

EasyNo line on file

Boardwalk
Coast

Why goThe Hawk Observatory, which DCR states is ADA-accessible.

Eastern Shore

Wildlife Loop

Distance: 3.3mi
Elevation gain: Gain not on file
Hiking time (estimate): ~1h05

EasyNo line on file

Paved
Coast

Why goPaved 3.25-mile loop around a moist-soil management unit (the refuge trail map gives 3.2 miles).

Eastern Shore

Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail

Distance: 4.9mi
Elevation gain: 16ft
Hiking time (estimate): ~1h39

Easy

Paved

Why goTen-foot-wide asphalt tread with two-foot shoulders (fourteen feet total), on ground the county says was formerly a railroad route.

Moderate

Sustained climbs, uneven tread, and half-day commitments.

Virginia Beach

Cape Henry Trail

Distance: 6mi
Elevation gain: 12ft
Time (agency): ~2h10

Moderate

Paved
Sand
Shaded

Why goLive oak and cypress forest.

Virginia Beach

Bald Cypress Trail

Distance: 1.8mi
Elevation gain: 10ft
Time (agency): ~45 min

ModerateNo line on file

Boardwalk
Sand
Shaded

Why goCypress swamp boardwalk.

Virginia Beach

First Landing State Park Trail Network

Distance: 20mi
Elevation gain: Gain not on file
Hiking time (estimate): Your call

ModerateNo line on file

Boardwalk
Sand
Shaded

Why goLong Creek Trail.

Coastal Virginia & Hampton Roads

Noland Trail

Distance: 5mi
Elevation gain: 215ft
Hiking time (estimate): ~2h02

ModerateNo line on file

Crushed stone
Shaded
Riverside

Why goFourteen footbridges.

Central Virginia & Richmond

Belle Isle & the James River Park System

Distance: 2mi
Elevation gain: 100ft
Hiking time (estimate): ~58 min

ModerateNo line on file

Crushed stone
Riverside

Why goWhitewater views downtown.

Shenandoah National Park

Whiteoak Canyon

Distance: 4.6mi
Elevation gain: 1,656ft
Time (agency): ~4h

Moderate

Rocky
Shaded
Waterfall

Why goStacked waterfalls.

Shenandoah National Park

Hawksbill Summit

Distance: 2.9mi
Elevation gain: 860ft
Time (agency): ~2h

ModerateNo line on file

Rocky
Shaded
Ridgeline

Why goHighest point in the park.

Charlottesville & the Blue Ridge

Crabtree Falls

Distance: 2.7mi
Elevation gain: 1,069ft
Time (agency): ~2h45

Moderate

Rocky
Shaded
Waterfall

Why goMultiple cascade overlooks.

Southwest Virginia

Grayson Highlands & Mount Rogers Routes

Distance: 9mi
Elevation gain: 1,602ft
Time (agency): ~6h

Moderate

Rocky
Ridgeline

Why goOpen balds, rock outcrops, and free-roaming ponies below Virginia's highest peak.

Difficult and strenuous

Long climbs, exposure, or scrambling. Start early, carry more water than you expect to drink, and check the forecast at elevation.

Shenandoah National Park

Old Rag Mountain

Distance: 9.4mi
Elevation gain: 2,482ft
Time (agency): ~6h30

Strenuous

Scramble
Ridgeline

Why goMile-long granite scramble.

Charlottesville & the Blue Ridge

Humpback Rocks

Distance: 2mi
Elevation gain: Gain not on file
Time (agency): ~1h45

StrenuousNo line on file

Rocky
Shaded
Ridgeline

Why goFast, big payoff.

Roanoke & the New River Valley

McAfee Knob

Distance: 8mi
Elevation gain: 1,415ft
Time (agency): ~5h

Hard

Rocky
Shaded
Ridgeline

Why goThe AT's signature overlook.

Roanoke & the New River Valley

Dragon's Tooth

Distance: 4.5mi
Elevation gain: 1,336ft
Time (agency): ~4h

Hard

Scramble
Shaded
Ridgeline

Why goQuartzite spire summit.

Roanoke & the New River Valley

Tinker Cliffs

Distance: 7.6mi
Elevation gain: 2,000ft
Time (agency): ~5h

HardNo line on file

Rocky
Shaded
Ridgeline

Why goHalf a mile of open cliff.

Appalachian Trail Corridor

Appalachian Trail — Virginia Sections

Distance: 557.5mi
Elevation gain: Gain not on file
Hiking time (estimate): Your call

HardNo line on file

Rocky
Ridgeline

Why goLongest state section of the AT.

Shenandoah Valley

Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve

Distance: 3.5mi
Elevation gain: Gain not on file
Hiking time (estimate): ~1h36

StrenuousNo line on file

Scramble
Ridgeline

Why goThe Preserve Loop Trail, a 3.5-mile blue-blazed loop that DCR states is the only state-maintained trail in the preserve or the WMA.

Waterfall hikes

Best in spring and after sustained rain.

Shenandoah National Park

Whiteoak Canyon

Distance: 4.6mi
Elevation gain: 1,656ft
Time (agency): ~4h

Moderate

Rocky
Shaded
Waterfall

Why goStacked waterfalls.

Charlottesville & the Blue Ridge

Crabtree Falls

Distance: 2.7mi
Elevation gain: 1,069ft
Time (agency): ~2h45

Moderate

Rocky
Shaded
Waterfall

Why goMultiple cascade overlooks.

Common questions

What is the hardest day hike in Virginia?: Old Rag's rock scramble in Shenandoah National Park is the most commonly cited, and it requires a day-use ticket in the busy season. Difficulty depends as much on heat, ice, and crowding as on the route itself.
Do I need a permit to hike in Virginia?: Most trails need no permit. Shenandoah National Park charges entrance fees and requires an Old Rag day-use ticket seasonally; Virginia State Parks charge parking fees. Always confirm on the managing agency's page linked from each trail entry.
When is the best time to hike in Virginia?: Late September through early November brings stable weather, low humidity, and fall color. Spring is excellent for waterfalls. Summer is best at higher elevations or early in the day.

Before you go: Trail conditions, access rules, weather, water availability, and closures can change. Check the linked official source before leaving and choose a route appropriate for your experience and current conditions.

Before a mountain hike

Download offline maps — cell service fails in most hollows.
Check the managing agency for closures and road status.
Leave a trip plan with someone at home.
Turn around on a time, not on a summit.

Full preparation guide