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Can’t-Miss Mountain Destinations

Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Highlands, Heart of Appalachia, Hiking, Outdoors, Shenandoah Valley, Travel Ideas, Virginia Mountains / September 2, 2020 by Patricia Keppel / 12 Comments

Virginia’s mountain ranges are world-famous for a number of reasons, including the challenging hiking trails, scenic winding drives, and the storied musical history of Appalachia. Whether you travel in the spring, summer, fall, or winter, the mountains of Virginia invite you to come for a visit and stay a while. And be sure to block off some down time on your itinerary; often, the most memorable part of a stay in the mountains involves just sitting still and taking in the beauty of Virginia’s rolling landscape. Discover all there is to LOVE about the mountains of Virginia.

THE MOUNTAIN RANGES

HA20111203V_036.JPGPhoto Credit: Michael Speed, @photosbyspeed

You’ll often hear Virginians refer to the mountains as the Appalachian Mountains, and while this is correct, the Appalachian chain actually runs down most of the eastern North American coast. To be more specific to a region, the Appalachian Mountains are divided further into smaller mountain chains. The two major chains that run through Virginia are the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains.

STUNNING MOUNTAIN SITES

There are too many iconic mountain sites to list, but these are a few destinations that visitors rave about in the mountains of Virginia.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

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photo credit: Kyle LaFerriere IG account: @laferriere.photography

This gem in Southwest Virginia is blanketed in rugged but beautiful landscape and features the highest elevation point in Virginia, Mount Rogers. Hiking, horseback riding, biking, and camping are popular within the park.

Mabry Mill

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photo credit: Stephanie Sheffield, @momentsbystephanie

Mabry Mill is considered the most iconic structure on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The site still gives tours with milling, blacksmithing, spinning, and other various demonstrations that showcase traditional Appalachian crafts.

McAfee Knob

McAfee Knob
Photo Credit: Nate Dennison

Hikers take on a 4.5 mile hike through the mountains to reach McAfee Knob, the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail. This site provides panoramic views of the Catawba Valley, Tinker Cliffs, and Roanoke Valley.

Shenandoah National Park

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photo credit: Kelly J. Mihalcoe LLC

One of the most beautiful park’s in America, Shenandoah National Park contains countless scenic vistas to take in the mountains and the sweeping valleys below.

More Must-See Mountain Destinations

WINDING DRIVES WITH GORGEOUS VIEWS

Want to get a front-row seat for the mountain views without hiking the exhaustive terrain to reach an overlook? Plan a road trip to discover Virginia’s mountainsides from behind the wheel.

Back of the Dragon

Back of the Dragon
Photo Credit: Cameron Davidson

Route 16, called “The Back of the Dragon” by those that conquer its curves, is a six hour drive through a hundred miles of Southwest Virginia. This is a route favored by motorcyclists, but anyone driving the route can appreciate the scenery.

Blue Ridge Parkway

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photo credit: Kristina Love, @kristinalovephotography

Running from the Northern Shenandoah Valley to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds through 469 miles of stunning mountain terrain.

Skyline Drive

Scenic Skyline Drive
Photo Credit: Cameron Davidson

Skyline Drive connects to the northern point of the Blue Ridge Parkway, traveling a further 105 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains. The views of the Shenandoah Valley are awe-inspiring, and there are more than 75 overlooks right off the road that let you stop and take it all in without hiking multiple miles. During the fall, the mountains are alight with the oranges, reds, and yellows of the changing foliage, attracting thousands of visitors to the route.

More Mountain Drives for Unbeatable Scenery

HIKING & BIKING TRAILS

The mountains in Virginia were practically made for hiking and mountain biking. About a quarter of the Appalachian Trail runs through Virginia, and numerous trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway invite hikers to meander through the shady rolling landscape to spectacular payoff views. Intense mountain biking routes like the Spearhead Trails in Southwest Virginia provide a challenge to even the most seasoned rider.

Popular Hiking Spots:

  • Cold Mountain
  • Old Rag
  • Whiteoak Canyon
  • Dragon’s Tooth
  • Crabtree Falls
  • Sharp Top

More Popular Mountain Hikes

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Photo credit: Scott K. Brown

Popular Mountain Biking Locations:

  • Carvins Cove
  • Flag Rock
  • Southern Traverse
  • George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
  • Douthat State Park

More Mountain Biking Destinations

THE HISTORY OF MOUNTAIN MUSIC

Crooked Road Instruments
Photo Credit: Bill Crabtree Jr.

Virginia boasts a thriving music scene, with live performances happening nonstop a venues and clubs throughout the Commonwealth. The mountains have a particularly rich music heritage, in part due to the legendary history behind the music. Famous musicians like the Carter Family and Dr. Ralph Stanley called Virginia home, instilling the Appalachian mountain sounds into their songs that would inspire generations to come. Take a trip along the Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, to learn more about the music of Virginia’s mountain regions.

More about Virginia Mountain Music

MOUNTAIN TOWNS

Dozens of small towns can be found within Virginia’s mountain regions, giving visitors a glimpse into what daily life in the mountains is like.

Roanoke

SV09121603V_044.TIFPhoto Credit: Cameron Davidson

Roanoke is one of the bigger mountain towns in Virginia, providing a bevy of great restaurants, hotels, and events along with the outdoor recreation. The 26 miles of biking and walking trails that make up the Roanoke Valley Greenways provide a pedestrian pathway to Mill Mountain, where the iconic illuminated star looks down on the beautiful city of Roanoke. The Appalachian Trail passes close by the city, with access points to stunning mountain peaks like Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and the Tinker Cliffs.

Damascus

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This small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia packs a lot of personality. With the Appalachian Trail running right down the sidewalk of one of the main streets, you know that this town is passionate about the mountains and outdoor activities. Hikers stop in the town for the annual Trail Days celebration, and mountain biking enthusiasts hit the Virginia Creeper Trail to enjoy a leisurely downhill ride through the mountains of Virginia. The quaint but charming town is also not far from Mount Rogers, making it an ideal vacation spot for those looking to meet the wild ponies.

Luray

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Image courtesy of luray caverns

In the Shenandoah Valley, the town of Luray sits adjacent to Shenandoah National Park, and mountain road trippers can access Skyline Drive from the Thornton Gap Entrance, less than ten miles away from the town. The well-known Luray Caverns provide visitors with the rare chance to see what is underneath the mountains of Virginia.

More Picturesque Mountain Towns

WINERIES, BREWERIES, & MORE

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Photo Credit: Attila Woodard

There are tons of wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries tucked away in the mountains of Virginia. Sample some impressive beverages when you add one of these scenic drink destinations to your travel itinerary.

Mountainrose Vineyards—Wise

The grapes used in wine production at Mountainrose Vineyards are grown in the mountains, lending to delicious, subtle aromas apparent in every glass of wine. But if you think the wines are impressive at Mountainrose, just wait until you step outside and take in the picturesque views of the surrounding mountains.

Sugar Hill Brewing Company—St. Paul

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If you’re heading to St. Paul to ride the epic Spearhead Trail ATV systems, a visit to the Sugar Hill Brewing Company is a must. The craft brewery creates a wide array of refreshing beers, including a light and easy-to-drink pilsner, several unique IPAs, and dark offerings like an Irish dry stout.

Big Fish Cider Co.—Monterey

This microcidery uses locally grown apples and traditional cider-making techniques to craft incredible ciders, ranging from dry and crisp to semi-sweet.

Davis Valley Distillery—Rural Retreat

The roots of distilling in America go deep in the Appalachias, so of course you will still find some of the best distilleries in the country in Virginia’s mountains. Davis Valley Distillery produces several corn whiskey moonshines (in wonderfully classic flavors like Apple, Peach, and Cherry Pie) and a traditional grain vodka. Currently, they are working on new whiskey and bourbon products, as well.

More in the Blue Ridge Highlands—More in the Heart of Appalachia—More in the Shenandoah Valley— More in the Virginia Mountains

FARMS & ORCHARDS

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The cool air and rich soil of the Virginia mountains results in outstanding fresh produce. These farms and orchards let you interact with farm animals or pick your own selection of apples, peaches, and more.

Graves’ Mountain Apple Orchard—Syria

Pick your own apples from the trees or purchase them already picked by farmhands at Graves’ Mountain Orchard. They also sell fresh-pressed cider and apple butter made from their fruits. In the fall, pumpkins and gourds are available.

Seven Springs Alpaca Farm—Lebanon

You probably won’t have too many chances in your lifetime to pet an alpaca, but Seven Springs Alpaca Farm offers the opportunity to learn about them as you stroke their soft fleece coat.

Chiles Peach Orchard—Crozet

Chiles Peach Orchard

Nothing is better than a perfectly ripe peach picked straight off the tree, and you can do just that at Chiles Peach Orchard. Additionally, they have pick-your-own strawberries, apples, and pumpkins seasonally grown on the farm. If you don’t want to pick it yourself, head into their market to buy it fresh, along with local vegetables, jams, foods, crafts, and more. The ice cream shop and bakery inside the market serves up some delicious treats for those with a sweet tooth.

More Interactive Farm Tours and You-Pick Orchards

PLACES TO STAY IN THE MOUNTAINS

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Photo courtesy of Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection

From simple cabins to sprawling luxury resorts, Virginia’s mountains offer lodging for every visitors.

Resorts:

Each of these resorts are filled with luxury amenities and year-round activities like zip-lining, hiking, and a full array of spa services.

  • Wintergreen Resort—Wintergreen
  • Massanutten Resort—McGaheysville
  • Bryce Resort—Bayse
  • The Omni Homestead Resort—Hot Springs
  • Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection—Meadows of Dan

Find More Mountain Resorts

Cabins:

In addition to large resorts, the region is filled with private cabin rentals that provide a little peace and quiet during your visit to the mountains.

  • Eagle’s Lookout—Wintergreen
  • Fariss Farms Cabin—Allisonia
  • Dancing Bears Cottage—Middlebrook

More Cabins in the Mountains

Discover endless beauty and adventure with a trip through Virginia’s renowned mountain ranges. Where is your favorite destination in the mountains of Virginia?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. DeepakG

    September 23, 2021 at 7:01 pm

    The below image in the email led me to this page – does anyone know where is this place / view from ? https://marketing.virginia.org/cdnr/forpci39/acton/attachment/43976/f-21e67019-3598-4e10-a859-b2586a184c1b/2/-/-/-/-/image.jpg

    Reply
    • Hannah Armstrong

      September 24, 2021 at 2:50 pm

      This view is from Mount Rogers in Southwest Virginia!

      Reply
  2. Vito Belcastro

    February 27, 2021 at 2:18 pm

    Have been to Virginia Dozens of times. Have seen it’s history, it’s beauty and it’s amusement parks. The entire state is fantastic. A very great plus is that I am a student of both the Revolutionary and US Civil wars, and all the history before, in between and after. Plus, I was a big fan of The Waltons and have been to Earl Hamner Jr’s home town.

    Reply
  3. Eloisa lopez

    March 9, 2020 at 8:05 am

    Hi I have been through a lot of health issues and have been wanting to hike these places in Virginia. But also want my brother to go there and come back . But is there a package deal to do so?

    Reply
  4. Mike L

    June 20, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    My friends and I have always been into hiking, and you gave us some new places we’ll have to try out! Thank you!

    Reply
  5. lixliu

    May 15, 2017 at 10:36 pm

    Seriously, where is the cabin pictured in the main cover photo? The picture just below the heading “—PLACES TO STAY IN THE MOUNTAINS—”?

    A little truth in advertising please. This is your FB cover photo, but none of the mountain cabin links explain where it is (e.g., Wintergreen? Massanutten?)

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Patricia Keppel

      May 16, 2017 at 9:08 am

      It is the Golden Eagle Treehouse at Primland.

      Reply
    • LaPepper

      September 14, 2018 at 9:49 am

      Primeland Cottages – Dan, VA

      https://primland.com/

      Reply
    • Tim

      December 20, 2019 at 2:48 pm

      Copied the photo and did a google image search. Shows up listed as a tree house cabin at Primland. I am eager to check it out at some point. Looks like an amazing view.

      Reply
  6. Kadamr

    May 14, 2017 at 9:17 am

    Where is the cabin in the picture??

    Reply
    • LaPepper

      September 14, 2018 at 9:50 am

      Primeland Cottages – Dan, VA – If you click on the picture and side click it, it gives you the option to search for the photo on Google 😀

      https://primland.com/

      Reply
  7. donna

    April 22, 2017 at 11:47 am

    everyone goes to luray, so i suggest the other caverns. endless opens up april 1st and it’s better to me than luray. there are caverns from front royal to the cumberland gap, about 9 in total that should be seen. we have skyline, dixie and the gap caverns to go see. we have visited all the others, with shenandoah and endless our favorites at this time. all are along I 81 or not too far off. luray was a bit off of the interstate, but a first time cave person, go there. it’s just so crowded and now there are other things to do there, as if the cavern wasn’t enuff.

    Reply

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