by If you’re looking for a challenge on the trails then I’ve got you covered with the hardest hikes in Virginia. Taking you to some of the area’s toughest rock scrambles. Most intense climbs, and rewards those that make the journey with some truly special views.
If you feel like I’ve left any worthwhile trails off the list, let me know in the comments below!
Key Takeaways
- Virginia offers challenging hikes with rock scrambles, intense climbs, and rewarding views.
- Old Rag Mountain Loop Trail in Shenandoah National Park features rock scrambles, large rock formations, and unobstructed views.
- Cedar Run Falls Trail near Syria, Virginia, includes rock features, multiple waterfalls, and a steep descent followed by a climb.
- Appalachian Trail: Sloan Creek to Jenkins Gap near Front Royal offers a big climb for southbound hikers with a beautiful trail.
- Austin, Furnace, and Trayfoot Mountain Loop outside Crozet allows hikers to avoid crowds, featuring rock scrambles and waterfalls.
- Appalachian Trail: Roller Coasters Section between Paris Heights and Bluemont offers a point-to-point hike with challenging elevation changes.
- Cedar Run Trail to Hawksbill to White Oak Trail Loop offers a tough climb with fewer people and expansive views.
- Three Ridges Trail southwest of Charlottesville includes river crossings, waterfalls, rock formations, and steep scrambles.
- Robertson Mountain and Old Rag Mountain Loop from Skyline outside Syria provides rock scrambles, epic views, and a challenging loop.
- Saddle, Ridge, Corbin Hollow, Corbin Mountain, Indian Run, Nicholson Hollow, Appalachian, and White Oak Canyon Trail Loop offers waterfalls, wildlife, rock formations, and great views.
- Shenandoah National Park Loop is a 26.1-mile challenge with rock scrambles, waterfalls, and incredible views, making it a bucket list hike in Virginia.
A List of The Hardest Hikes in Virginia
Old Rag Mountain Loop Trail
Distance: 9.5 Miles
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 2,683ft+
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Rock scrambles, large rock features, and unobstructed views.
Description:
Located in the Shenandoah National Park, Old Rag Mountain Loop Trail is one of the most well known trails in Virginia. The trail itself features 2,600+ft of gain spread over 9.5 miles. The route winds up the mountain leading through incredible rock formations. Leading to the top and the payoff of wide open views of the area.
If you’re looking for an added challenge you can do the Ridge Trail to Old Rag Mountain. Which is an out & back of the toughest part of the Old Rag Mountain Loop Trail. You can check that trail out by clicking here.
Shenandoah National Park park entrance fee is $30 for 7 days. Park Website
Cedar Run Falls Trail
Distance: 5.8 Miles
Type: Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 2,240+ft
All Trails Link:All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Rock features, multiple waterfalls, and swimming at Sliding Rock Falls.
Description:
Located near Syria, Virginia, there are a few ways to hike into Cedar Falls. But taking the traditional Cedar Run Falls trail out & back is the real deal. Unlike most hikes, you’ll start with a 2,200ft descent down to the river. Leaving you with a steep climb out to finish the day. The trail is mostly rock and can be slick when it rains.
Appalachian Trail: Sloan Creek to Jenkins Gap
Distance: 14.6 Miles
Type: Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 3,450+ft
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Wildlife, tree, it’s the AT.
Description:
No one ever said that vert has to come with views. Located near Front Royal, Virginia the Sloan to Jenkins Gap section of the Appalachian Trail is known as a big climb for south bound hikers. And while not notably scenic as far as views. It is a beautiful part of the AT and makes for a great day hike.
Austin, Furnace and Trayfoot Mountain Loop
Distance: 20.4 Miles
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 4,940+ft
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Less people, rock scrambles, unique rock formations,waterfalls, and expansive views.
Description:
Hiking the Austin, Furnace and Trayfoot Mountain Loop is a great way to avoid the crowds. Located outside of Crozet, Virginia the trail has a lot to offer in the way of challenge. Including a long rocky scramble descent. And when the downhill is tougher than the uphill you know it’s going to be a long day.
Appalachian Trail: Roller Coasters Section
Distance: 15.6 Miles
Type: Point to Point
Elevation Gain: 3,800+ft
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Wildlife. Rivers, and views.
Description:
Aptly known as the “Roller Coaster” section of the Appalachian Trail. The elevation profile for this section of trail looks more like an EKG reading rather than a trail. This trail is a point to point running between Paris Heights and Bluemont. So you will need to make sure you have a ride or plan on making the trip back. With equal elevation gain and loss.
Cedar Run Trail to Hawksbill to White Oak Trail Loop
Distance: 12.8 Miles
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 3,490+ft
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Less people, wildlife, waterfall, and lots of views.
Description:
Featuring one of the toughest climbs in the area at just under 2,900ft of gain in one push. You will be rewarded with some great views expanding as far as the clouds will let you see. I really enjoy this route because of the lack of people. Compared to many of the other trails that lead through the more popular areas of the Shenandoah National Park.
Three Ridges Trail
Distance: 13.3 Miles
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 3,900+ft
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: River, waterfalls, rock formations, scrambles,and wide open views.
Description:
Located just 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville in central Virginia. The Three Ridges Trail is popular amongst locals. With many people just going to the first vista mile 4.5/ So you can expect to have the trail pretty much to yourself after that. Be prepaid for some steep climbs through rocks. Leading to some great views and waterfalls along the way.
Robertson Mountain and Old Rag Mountain Loop from Skyline
Distance: 16+ Miles
Type: Loop (Lollipop)
Elevation Gain: 4,580+ft
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Rock scrambles, rock features, wildlife, and lots of epic views.
Description:
Bagging both Robertson Mountain and Rag Mountain in one go. This loop is no joke. The trailhead is located just outside of Syria, Virginia. And starts off as slowly rolling with a small climb to Robertson Peak. Before heading down and down just to lead you to a massive 2,200+ft climb over just under 2.5 miles. With a lot of trail left in front of you. The views are worth it but your legs will be paying the price.
Saddle, Ridge, Corbin Hollow, Corbin Mountain, Indian Run, Nicholson Hollow, Appalachian, and White Oak Canyon Trail Loop
Distance: 23.1 Miles
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 6,400+ft
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Waterfalls, wildlife, rock formations, and great views
Description:
Stepping up in length, this trail combo hits a highlight reel of some of the toughest shooter trails in the park. Each of the three peaks you will be tagging along the way will be well earned. With three climbs over 1,500ft. And the view from Stony Man Mountain is almost worth the hike alone.
Shenandoah National Park Loop
Distance: 26.1 Miles
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 7,350+ft
All Trails Link: All Trails Link Click Here
Features: Rock scrambles, waterfalls, and incredible views.
Description:
The king of Virginia hikes, the Shenandoah National Park Loop will challenge even the most veteran hiker or trail runner. At just over 26 miles, you can expect close to 7,500+ft based on what most people finish with. This rollercoaster of a hike will have you tagging 4 major area peaks. Featuring many of the park’s major highlights. This is a bucket list trail a lot of people don’t know about.
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