Summer is great. Warm weather, cool breezes, and cold lemonade all make summer one of the best seasons. In Virginia we are especially lucky. The beautiful landscape and temperate climate mean that we can spend a lot of our time outside swimming, biking, and hiking. If, like me, you are terrible at swimming and biking, your best bet for a bit of outdoors activity is hiking. Luckily, Virginia is an amazing place for hiking. This list shows 10 of the best places in Virginia to hike.
1. Devil's Marbleyard
Located in Natural Bridge Station, this trail is 3 miles long. Just like its name suggests, it's a hard trail that rises 1,600 feet above sea level. If you can take the incline, however, it is one of the most beautiful trails in Virginia, complete with rocky landscapes and great views.
2. Old Rag Trail
Located in Sperryville, this trail is 8.7 miles long. It is a difficult hike, which takes about four hours and rises 3,000 feet above sea level. Only recommended for people who hike often. This trail is also a popular camping site.
3. White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails
Located in Syria, this trail is just over 8 miles long. Its winding trail through the forest makes it an ideal hike for summer or fall. The most popular feature is the small but beautiful waterfalls that hikers can look forward to.
4. Humpback Rocks Recreation Area
Located in Lyndhurst, this is the perfect trail for the novice hiker. Only 2 miles long with only 270 feet of elevation, it's an easy hike and a great way to test your abilities. Because it's only accessible from April to October, Humpback is the perfect hike for summer.
5. Crabtree Falls
Located in Tyro, the Crabtree Falls trail is 6 miles long. When hiking this trail you should expect it to take about four hours. The main attraction of this hike is its magnificent waterfall which attracts people from all over the state. With this gorgeous water feature and the trail's reputation for being accessible for the novice hiker, the Crabtree Falls trail is easily a fan favorite.
6. Dragon Tooth Trail
Located in Catawba, this trail is known for its forest setting. An easy 4.5 miles long and taking less then three hours to complete, it is the perfect hike for all ages. Don't let this fool you, however: Dragon Tooth is known for its great views and rough beauty.
7. McAfee Knob -- Appalachian Trail
Located in Salem, this trail stretches just over 7 miles and takes four hours to complete. Popular for camping, the trail includes areas for tents. This dog-friendly trail has trash cans at regular intervals that make taking your furry friend on your hiking adventures a reality. This trail is famous for its great cliff view that over looks the forest below. Voted the No. 1 trail for sorority girls to throw what they know.
8. Spy Rock Trail
Located in Montebello, Spy Rock is about 3 miles long with an elevation of 1,000 feet. Taking about two hours to complete, this trail boasts good views and a water fall. It is primarily used for hiking, although you can camp out for a night under the stars. The end of the trail is marked by a 360-degree view.
9. Bearfence Mountain Trail
Located in Shenandoah, this trail takes only an hour to complete although it is 4 miles long. This is in part due to the lack of elevation. Being only accessible from April to October makes it the perfect summer hike. Its forest setting allows for frequent wildlife sightings.
10. Cascades National Recreation Trail
Located in Pembroke, this trail is great for the novice hiker. A length of only 5 miles with little elevation allows the completion of the trail in about two and a half hours. Easily one of the most scenic trails in Virginia, it's located in Jefferson National Forest and boasts a 66-foot waterfall, and many shaded forest streams. Beautiful all year around but especially in the summer when the water features can be seen in their full glory.
With its scenic landscapes and beautiful geography Virginia, is the perfect home for avid hikers. With hundreds of trails available, this list is far from complete, but hopefully it will serve as a starting point for your next adventure.
