Appalachian Trail
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Virginia mileage
About 557.5 miles
Trail character
Marked hiking footpath
Route highlights
Shenandoah, the Blue Ridge and Mount Rogers High Country
Visitor information
Check trail conditions and access before setting out
The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) crosses Virginia from the state’s northern reaches through the Blue Ridge and into the Mount Rogers High Country. With roughly 557.5 miles in the state, Virginia has more A.T. mileage than any other state. The route passes through varied scenery, including [1] Shenandoah National Park, national forest land and the high-elevation meadows of the southwest. You can sample a short stretch or plan a much longer hike; the experience depends on the access point and terrain you choose.[2]
The Trail is more than a scenic route: it is a continuing conservation effort shaped by public agencies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and volunteer trail clubs. Virginia visitors can find especially recognizable sections in Shenandoah and around Roanoke’s Virginia Triple Crown—McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and Dragon’s Tooth—as well as a trail-side visitor hub in Damascus. Conditions, parking, and any requirements for overnight trips vary by location, so check official updates before leaving.[3]
Plan a trip to Appalachian Trail
Why visit the Appalachian Trail?
The A.T. makes Virginia’s mountains accessible at many scales. A roadside crossing or park access point can lead to a brief woodland walk, a strenuous climb to a viewpoint, or a multi-day backpacking route. Its long course also reveals how the state’s landscapes shift from rolling ridges and forested slopes to open high-country terrain.[4]
For a first visit, choose a specific section rather than treating the A.T. as one single destination. Shenandoah National Park offers 101 miles of the Trail within the park, while the Roanoke-area Triple Crown links three well-known overlooks and requires more careful planning for distance, elevation and parking.[5][6]
Start here
Decide what kind of outing you want: a short day hike, a longer out-and-back, or an overnight trip. Then select an access point and consult the relevant land manager’s maps, alerts and rules. The Trail crosses multiple public lands, and conditions and regulations can differ from one section to another. The National Park Service provides planning, directions, safety and accessibility resources for the A.T.; the Appalachian Trail Conservancy maintains state-specific information and trail updates.[7][8]
What to see and do
Explore a long A.T. section through the park’s Blue Ridge landscape. The park has 101 miles of Appalachian Trail; check park notices and backcountry rules when planning an overnight hike.
McAfee Knob
One of the signature viewpoints on the Virginia A.T., in the Roanoke-area Triple Crown. The popular approach and limited trailhead parking make advance planning worthwhile; verify current shuttle and access details before you go.
Tinker Cliffs and Dragon’s Tooth
Two more dramatic viewpoints in the Virginia Triple Crown. These hikes involve rugged terrain; review route information, conditions and the appropriate land-manager guidance before setting out.
In downtown Damascus, the Trail Center offers regional trail information and exhibits. Confirm current opening details with the center before visiting.
Experience the Trail in Virginia’s high country, where open meadows and mountain scenery give the route a distinctly different feel from its forested sections.
History and significance
Forester and regional planner Benton MacKaye proposed an Appalachian footpath in 1921, imagining a continuous route that would connect mountain landscapes and offer a retreat into nature. Volunteers organized to build and mark the Trail, and it was connected from Georgia to Maine in 1937. The route’s completion was a beginning rather than an end: volunteers and partner agencies continue to maintain and protect it.[9]
Virginia’s Trail history is closely tied to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, founded in 1927 to build and supervise mid-Atlantic sections. In the Shenandoah area, the club constructed a route along the Blue Ridge crest by 1931. Later construction of Skyline Drive required much of that original route to be relocated and rebuilt on mountain slopes. Today, the Trail’s management remains collaborative, involving the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, state agencies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and volunteer clubs.[10][11]
Planning a visit
- Check conditions first. Closures, detours, weather and other hazards can affect particular sections. Review current National Park Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy alerts before departure, and obey posted closures.[12]
- Choose an appropriate route. Trail difficulty and distance vary. Use an official map or guide for your chosen section, allow time for the return trip and carry water, food, suitable footwear and weather-appropriate layers.
- Confirm access and parking. The Trail has many road crossings and access points, but parking and transportation arrangements vary. Popular trailheads may fill; check local guidance for current options before driving.[13]
- Understand fees and overnight rules. Walking the A.T. itself does not require an entrance pass, but some parks and public lands along the route charge fees or have separate parking, camping or permit requirements. Shenandoah backcountry camping requires a permit; consult the specific land manager for current rules.[14]
- Travel lightly on the landscape. Stay on the marked footpath, pack out trash, store food responsibly and follow fire restrictions and posted guidance. Conditions and precautions may differ between sections.
Nearby attractions
Shenandoah National Park
Explore the Blue Ridge park and its long Appalachian Trail section.
Blue Ridge Mountains
The mountain landscapes that frame much of Virginia’s A.T. route.
Roanoke, Virginia
A convenient regional base for exploring the Virginia Triple Crown area.
Damascus, Virginia
Visit the nearby town and its trail-focused visitor center; confirm local details before arrival.
Grayson Highlands State Park
Discover high-country scenery and outdoor recreation near the A.T. in southwest Virginia.
Books and useful gear: Browse related travel books and outdoor gear on Amazon
References
- ↑ Virginia, Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Plan Your Visit, National Park Service, Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia, Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia, Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Park Statistics, National Park Service, Shenandoah National Park. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ NPS Releases Visitor Use Management Plan for the Virginia Triple Crown Segment of Appalachian National Scenic Trail, National Park Service, National Park Service, September 6, 2024. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Plan Your Visit, National Park Service, Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia, Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Partnering to Protect the Appalachian Trail, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Appalachian Trail, National Park Service, Shenandoah National Park, April 13, 2026. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Appalachian National Scenic Trail, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Alerts & Conditions, National Park Service, Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Directions, National Park Service, Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Fees & Passes, National Park Service, Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Retrieved 2026-10-22.