Our Most Popular Trails

These are Virginia Trail Guide’s most searched and most viewed hikes as of June 2017!

1. Mt. Rogers

Mt. Rogers is beautiful, rugged and home to several herds of wild ponies.

At the top of the list for the fourth year –  Mt. Rogers – Virginia’s tallest peak. It also has wild ponies, breathtaking views and one of Virginia’s most spectacular rhododendron blooms. In our book, Mt. Rogers is a must-see destination for every Virginia hiker. It’s our all-time favorite hike in the state!

2. Sharp Top

View of Abbot Lake from Sharp Top Summit
The view from the Sharp Top Summit is gorgeous!

Sharp Top is a classic central Virginia hike with spectacular views.  For those preferring an easier day, there is a shuttle bus that goes almost to the top of the mountain.

3. Crabtree Falls

Another beautiful section of Crabtree Falls.

Crabtree Falls sits in the number 3 spot. This long, meandering waterfall tumbles down the mountainside over the entire course of the hikes. If you like to hike along and hear the sound of rushing water, this hike is a don’t miss!

4. Hawksbill Mountain

This is the first of the four summit views you’ll come to along the Hawksbill Loop Trail.

It’s no surprise that Hawksbill Mountain has a spot in the top ten. It’s a moderate hike with amazing views, located right in the heart of Shenandoah National Park. Hawksbill is also the park’s tallest mountain. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of peregrine falcons along the way.

5. Humpback Rock

The summit of Humpback Rock is almost always crowded.
The summit of Humpback Rock is almost always crowded.

Humpback Rock remains a perennial favorite. It’s probably one of central Virginia’s most popular and accessible hikes.

6. Rose River Loop

Pretty Rose River Falls.

The Rose River Loop has some of Shenandoah’s best stream and waterfall scenery.  It’s a moderate hike in the park’s central district.

7. Dark Hollow Falls

Autumn at Dark Hollow
Autumn at Dark Hollow

Of course Shenandoah National Park’s most popular short waterfall hike has a spot in the top ten. If you hike to Dark Hollow expect a steep climb and lots of people!

8. Cascade Falls

Cascades Falls in Giles County
Beautiful Cascades in Giles County.

Cascade Falls is new to our top ten list.  It’s a gorgeous waterfall in Giles County.  The terrain is easy and the hike is relatively short.

9. McAfee Knob

Sitting on McAfee Knob

McAfee Knob sits at number nine. It’s a classic and it was one of our very first blog posts!  McAfee Knob is considered a must-do Virginia hike.  The ledge in the photo above is the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail.

10. Cole/Cold Mountain

Adam Takes in the View from the Summit of Cole Mountain
Adam takes in the view from the summit of Cole Mountain.

Grassy meadows with panoramic views are the primary draw for Cole/Cold Mountain.  It’s a moderate hike that can be done as a loop or an out-and-back.

These hikes were all just outside the top ten.

11. Massanutten Ridge

12. Three Ridges

13. White Oak

14. Great Channels

15. Marys Rock

16. Moormans River & Big Branch Falls

17. The Priest

18. Appalachian Trail – Ashby Gap to Bears Den Rocks (The Roller Coaster)

19. Big Schloss

20. Stony Man & Little Stony Man

 

10 thoughts on “Our Most Popular Trails”

    • virginiatrailschristine

      Hi Alan! Our ‘Most Popular’ trails are determined by visitor data and search results on our website. The top 20 are based solely on our website traffic – none the hikes on the list are subjective or based on personal preferences. My guess is that Old Rag doesn’t make the cut because people are so familiar with it and they don’t come to our blog looking for information. If I were to make a list of my Top 20 FAVORITE trails, it would look very different from the Top 20 Most Popular. Thanks for the visit. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Chuck
    Reply

    Mt. Rogers is real, but it seems unreal. Really, I went up there last year after reading your description. I’m going again soon for an overnighter.

    Thanks for the list.

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  6. jasonshukis
    Reply

    Someday I’ll return to the Dark Hollow Falls trail and actually hike to Dark Hollow Falls. Listing out the most popular/viewed hikes from your blog was a great idea, this was very interesting. The picture of Adam on The Pinnacle, by the way, is astounding. The scenery! The sky! And he looks like a superhero up there.

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