Virginia contains the longest state segment of the Appalachian Trail (AT), stretching approximately 544 miles from the southern bank of the Potomac River near the town of Bluemont in Clarke County to the Tennessee state line near Damascus in Washington County. This section traverses six National Forests, two National Parks, and some of the most remote ridge-and-valley terrain in the eastern United States. The Virginia AT includes several landmark destinations: McAfee Knob near Roanoke, one of the most photographed vantage points on the entire 2,190-mile trail; the Priest and Three Ridges Wilderness south of Waynesboro; Grayson Highlands State Park in the southwest with its free-roaming wild ponies; and Humpback Rocks in the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor. The trail is entirely self-guided and free of charge, managed by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in partnership with the US Forest Service and National Park Service. Free maps, permit information, and condition reports are available at appalachiantrail.org. The Virginia section hosts hundreds of three-sided shelters and designated campsites at roughly 8–15 mile intervals, most with a nearby water source requiring treatment before drinking. Shelter stays involve a nominal $5–10 USD per night donation at most sites. Day hikes and multi-day section hikes are accessible at dozens of road crossings, making it easy to sample the trail without committing to a full-distance journey. Bear's Den Hostel in Bluemont provides bunkhouse accommodation from $30 per night and serves as a popular base for section hikers in the northern Virginia segment. Gear requirements scale with trip length and season; any overnight trip requires a 40–65L backpack, shelter, water filtration, and food for the planned mileage. The peak hiking windows are April through June and September through October, when temperatures are moderate and trail conditions are at their best. Summer brings heat and humidity on lower-elevation sections; January through March can see snow and ice on high ridges above 3,000 feet.
Activity facts
- Where
- Statewide (Harpers Ferry WV to Damascus VA)
- Duration
- Day hike to multi-week section hike
Equipment
- Backpack 40–65L
- Tent or plan to use shelters ($5–10/night USD donation)
- Bear canister or hang bag (required in some areas)
- Trekking poles
- Trail permit (free registration at ATC at appalachiantrail.org)
Location
Bear's Den Hostel (AT Trailhead): 18393 Blueridge Mountain Rd, Bluemont, VA 20135
39.1037, -77.8369 View on map
Highlights
- 544-mile Virginia section, the longest state segment of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail
- Iconic viewpoints including McAfee Knob near Roanoke and Humpback Rocks along the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Wild ponies roam Grayson Highlands State Park in southwestern Virginia, one of the AT's most distinctive settings
- Dozens of road crossings enable day hikes and section hikes for any fitness level without a thru-hiking commitment
- Free to hike with shelters every 8–15 miles; no permit required outside Shenandoah National Park
Tips for visiting
- Register trip plans at appalachiantrail.org and leave an itinerary with a trusted contact before any overnight section hike
- Filter all water sources — many springs along the Virginia AT test positive for Giardia; a squeeze filter is the lightest reliable option
- Shelter bunks fill on weekends near popular trailheads like McAfee Knob and Dragon's Tooth — carry a tent as a backup
- Bear canisters are required within Shenandoah National Park; food hangs are accepted in most other Virginia AT areas
- Start northbound Virginia sections in April to align with the primary thru-hiker wave and well-worn trail conditions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to hike the Appalachian Trail in Virginia?
No permit is required for most of the Virginia AT. A free backcountry camping permit is required for overnight stays within Shenandoah National Park; obtain it at nps.gov/shen before entering the park boundary.
How long does it take to hike the full Virginia AT section?
Most thru-hikers cover Virginia's 544 miles in 4–6 weeks at an average pace of 12–15 miles per day. Section hikers spread the distance across multiple trips over months or years.
What is the best single-day hike on the Virginia AT?
McAfee Knob (7.8 miles round trip from the US-311 trailhead near Catawba) offers the most photographed viewpoint on the entire AT. Dragon's Tooth nearby provides a more strenuous alternative with rock scrambling.
Is solo hiking safe on the Virginia AT?
Solo hiking is common on the AT. Standard precautions include registering plans with a trusted contact, carrying an emergency communication device such as a personal locator beacon, and knowing the locations of the nearest road crossings.
Are campfires permitted along the Virginia AT?
Campfires are generally permitted at designated shelters and sites with established fire rings, subject to seasonal fire closures during dry conditions. Carrying a camp stove is recommended as a reliable cooking alternative; check current fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov.