It takes a northbound thru-hiker about 6 weeks to reach Virginia on the Appalachian Trail. Once here, there are another 6 weeks of difficult and rewarding trail ahead before the hiker exits Virginia at Harpers Ferry. The Old Dominion holds nearly a quarter of the AT’s 2,173 miles—more miles than any other state along the trail. A half-million day hikers hit Virginia’s portion of the AT each year. Most follow the south-north direction we’ve chosen to feature. Since hiking the entire length of the trail is a luxury most of us cannot afford, we’ve included a list of suggested day hikes or short overnight trips that capture Virginia’s greatest natural highlights. And so, whether you choose one long trip, or small bite sizes, plan on a showcase of some of the East’s most beautiful mountain scenery.
GREAT RESOURCES FOR HIKING THE AT
Appalachian Trail Guides, available for purchase from the ATC at (800) AT-STORE or at www.atctrailstore.org
Appalachian Trail Thru-hikers’ Companion, available for purchase from the ATC at (800) AT-STORE
Story Line: Exploring the Literature of the Appalachian Trail, by Ian Marshall, University Press of Virginia
A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson, Broadway Books (also a 2015 motion picture starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte)
A Walk for Sunshine, by Jeff Alt, Dreams Shared Publications
TRAVELING GREEN: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO THE AT IN VIRGINIA
The “leave no trace” ethic goes beyond the trailhead. Choosing not to drive farther reduces the footprint you leave on the environment. Taking a bus or train also eliminates the hassle of shuttling two cars at opposite ends of the trail. Remember that these services are infrequent, so it’s best to call ahead and plan carefully. The Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) also publishes names of drivers who will shuttle thru-hikers and section-hikers to major transportation centers. For more information contact the ATC at (304) 535-6331 or visit www.appalachiantrail.org.
The major transit carriers that access towns all close to Virginia’s AT are Greyhound Bus Lines, (800) 229-9424 or www.greyhound.com, and Amtrak, (800) 872-7245 or www.amtrak.com. Often you may want to use a combination of the two. Amtrak can get you to Lynchburg, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpepper, and Harpers Ferry—all of which provide access, whether by bus or by shuttle, to the AT.
The following towns are accessible by bus or by train and lie within a reasonable walking distance of the AT. This is not a complete list, but it is the most practical.
Abingdon (accesses Segment 1)
Greyhound services Abingdon. It’s a 16-mile hike via the Virginia Creeper Trail to access the AT in Damascus. Or, you can seek out one of the several private shuttle services in town, which will take you directly to the Damascus trailhead.
Roanoke (accesses Segment 2)
Greyhound services Roanoke. It’s 7 miles to the AT trailhead at the US 220 crossing. Local taxi services will take you there.
Buena Vista (accesses Segment 3)
Greyhound has limited services to Buena Vista (no ticketing available). It’s 5 miles up VA 607 (east) to the Blue Ridge Parkway (south) to access the AT trailhead. Local taxi services will take you there.
Roseland (accesses Segment 3)
JAUNT commuter van services Roseland from Charlottesville weekdays, during commuting times only. Call (434) 296-3184 or visit www.rideshareinfo.org for rates and schedules. Once in Roseland, it’s a 5-mile walk up VA 56 to the AT trailhead at the Tye River swinging bridge.
Waynesboro (accesses Segment 4)
Greyhound services Waynesboro. It’s 4 miles up US 250 (east) to the AT trailhead at Rockfish Gap. Local taxi services will take you there.
Harpers Ferry (accesses Segment 5)
Amtrak services Harpers Ferry, with connections to Washington, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. From Washington, DC, hikers can take the more frequent (and cheaper) MARC commuter rail, (866) RIDE-MTA or www.mtamaryland.gov. From the train station in Harpers Ferry, take a left onto Potomac Street and head down to Shenandoah Street, where you’ll find the AT.