Hiking · Catawba, Virginia
Dragon's Tooth
A rugged scramble to a spire of Tuscarora quartzite — the most technical of the Triple Crown.
- Distance
- 4.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,500 ft
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Typical time
- 3 hr – 5 hr
About this route
Dragon's Tooth climbs to a jagged quartzite monolith on Cove Mountain. The upper section — the Dragon's Back — involves rebar rungs, rock steps, and hands-on moves that make this the most technical of the Triple Crown hikes.
The descent is harder than the ascent for most people. Wet or icy rock turns this route dangerous; save it for dry conditions.
Why this difficulty rating: Steep with hands-on scrambling and rebar assists near the top. Descending the rock steps is slow and demanding.
Highlights
- Quartzite spire summit
- Rebar-assisted scramble
- Triple Crown route
Map and trailheads
Approximate locations for orientation only. Carry an offline map — cell service is unreliable on much of this network.
Know before you go
- Route type
- Out and back
- Surfaces
- Rocky, Dirt
- Setting
- Mountain, Ridgeline, Forest
- Amenities
- Parking, Shade
- Parking
- Trailhead lot on Route 311 fills on weekends.
- Restrooms
- Not yet verified
- Water
- No reliable water on route.
- Fees
- Free.
- Permits
- Not yet verified
- Hours
- Not yet verified
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Accessibility
- Not yet verified
- Stroller friendly
- No
- Good with kids
- No
- Seasonal notes
- Not yet verified
- Weather exposure
- Not yet verified
- Cell service
- Not yet verified
- Emergency
- Not yet verified
Hazards and wildlife
- Steep scrambling with fall risk
- Slick rock when wet
- Ice in winter
Black bears and timber rattlesnakes are present. Watch where you place hands on rock.
Related routes
Hiking
McAfee Knob
Catawba · Roanoke & the New River Valley
The most photographed overlook on the Appalachian Trail, reached by a steady climb from Route 311.
- Distance
- 8.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,740 ft
- Route type
- Out and back
- Difficulty
- Difficult
Surface: Rocky, Dirt
- The AT's signature overlook
- Part of Virginia's Triple Crown
Hiking
Tinker Cliffs
Daleville · Roanoke & the New River Valley
Half a mile of open clifftop walking above the Catawba Valley, quieter than its famous neighbor.
- Distance
- 7.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,000 ft
- Route type
- Out and back
- Difficulty
- Difficult
Surface: Rocky, Dirt
- Half a mile of open cliff
- Views toward McAfee Knob