New Hiker, advice on hiking in Virginia

[newhikerlaura]

I on a whim decided I wanted to hike part of the AT, and have been researching for several hours on the subject.
I am located in Richmond, Virginia, and was hoping to plan a five to seven day hike. I was looking to hike somewhere uncrowded, I have read that the Southern area of Virginia would be a good choice for that? I am willing to make a decent drive for a beautiful hike! As I am not an experienced hiker, I'm not looking for anything extremely strenuous, but am young and decently fit and not worried about a bit of a challenge.

Anyways, just looking for advice, any information of similar trips that have been taken by others would be MUCH appreciated, its hard to find specific information on sections of the trails, stops, etc.

Thanks!
Laura

[TOW]

Virginia is flat as a pancake........

[Lone Wolf]

I on a whim decided I wanted to hike part of the AT, and have been researching for several hours on the subject.
I am located in Richmond, Virginia, and was hoping to plan a five to seven day hike. I was looking to hike somewhere uncrowded, I have read that the Southern area of Virginia would be a good choice for that? I am willing to make a decent drive for a beautiful hike! As I am not an experienced hiker, I'm not looking for anything extremely strenuous, but am young and decently fit and not worried about a bit of a challenge.

Anyways, just looking for advice, any information of similar trips that have been taken by others would be MUCH appreciated, its hard to find specific information on sections of the trails, stops, etc.

Thanks!
Lauracome to damascus, va. and park. i'll drive you 60-70 miles north and you can walk SOBO back to damascus

[StarLyte]

come to damascus, va. and park. i'll drive you 60-70 miles north and you can walk SOBO back to damascus

Listen to LW.

[bigcranky]

Yup, that hike that LW recommends is one of the best in VA. Open bald mountains, wild horses, beautiful scenery. And you get to end your hike at one of the best trail towns out there.

[High Life]

LW - Woot .. you can't go wrong there Laura .. good man there :) hope to see you soon

[fredmugs]

Depending on what you consider uncrowded you might need to wait until after Labor Day. Do the hike LW suggests and then when the hiking bug hits you do another section in Oct when the colors change. The section I did between the James River and Pearisburg last October is by far the most enjoyable hike I have done. Hard to beat standing on McAfee Knob when the colors are at their peak.

[RockDoc]

First do a shake-down cruise or two to try out footware, shelter, food, etc.

[lvleph]

First do a shake-down cruise or two to try out footware, shelter, food, etc.
In the AT guide book there are loops in Southern VA that are 60 miles long.
Damascus/Comers Creek Loop (72.2 mi)
Hurricane Creek/Feathercamp Ridge Loop (66.2 mi)
Fox Creek/Feathercamp Branch Loop (52.4 mi)
Beartree Campground Loop (45.4 mi)

However, that is a 3-4 hour drive from RVA. I would suggest Shenandoah. The whole trail through SNP is about 108 miles.

[lvleph]

Oh LW is that offer open to anyone? Like say I were to hike to Damascus, could I get a ride back to Blacksburg?

[Lone Wolf]

Oh LW is that offer open to anyone? Like say I were to hike to Damascus, could I get a ride back to Blacksburg?

for a price

[lvleph]

for a price
I will definitely consider it. I do have two dogs and a wife coming with though.

[Cookerhiker]

I suggest hiking between Pearisburg and Catawba - about a 70 mile hike that takes you up and along many ridges with nice views from rocky outcroppings (especially Wind Rock - 4,100' & breezy),past the Keffer Oak (one of the largest trees in the East and the 1st or 2nd largest passed by the AT), some farm fields for variety, Stony Creek where you can soak your feet in the refreshing stream, and Rice Field along Peters Mountain. You can arrange a shuttle with the Rendezvous Motel in Pearisburg.

This will be a shorter drive for you than Damascus and likely less crowded.

Info. re the Rendezvous from the Companion (http://www.aldha.org/companyn/va09.pdf):


U.S.460/Pearisburg, Va. On A.T.  Lodging: Rendezvous Motel, (540) 921-2636,
$41.04s, $49.68d up to 4, dogs permitted, unlimited long-distance phone,
CATV, laundry, denatured alcohol, MSR compressed gas, Coleman fuel, shuttle as
schedule permits, shower without stay $8, holds mail and packages for guests addressed
to 795 North Main St., Pearisburg, VA 24134.

[newhikerlaura]

Thanks for all the info so far guys! I'm working on getting the Virginia guide books, a group of friends who are interested, and getting booties for my dog, etc...
Feel free to keep giving tips anything will be useful/much appreciated!

Oh also I'm looking at probably doing this sometime between late August and October, as my best friend dave is away for the summer. but i will be looking to maybe do some day hikes (maybe up near charlottesville as I go to uva and am often up that way) to keep satisfied over the summer

Thanks again everyone, I'll be in touch with what where I eventually decide to go! (and a special thanks to Lone Wolf as well for the kind offer)

[lvleph]

There are some short trails at Pocahontas State Park, right outside RVA. There are plenty of day hikes in Shenandoah. James river trail is an okay hike. Then there is walking around Belle Isle. All the hiking around RVA will be very flat.

[Blissful]

Shenandoah is really nice in October too for a weeklong adventure. Can't beat the colors and views. And a good hike if you are not used to the hiking routine with a good graded trail, want a shower and some food, etc. And we did not really encouter that many people, to be honest. Esp during the week.

You can read my hiking blog under my journals - look for the tag Shenandoah Natl Park - I did a trip there last fall.

[newhikerlaura]

Completed first hike up in Shenandoah National Park two days ago! Just a short trip to buy an annual pass, check out what the park was like, and do a short hike- saw some beautiful waterfalls! Can't wait to get back up there!
In the meantime, I've been walking around Henricus Historical Park in Richmond, a great place to take my dog (Gracie, 5 year old Weimaranaer)- you see very few other visitors on the 8 mile trails. Anyone around Richmond looking for a good long dog walk should check it out.

[Cookerhiker]

The Southern District of SNP is the closest to you and probably the nicest in that it's less crowded than the districts closer to DC. However, the Central District has some nice waterfalls (White Oak Canyon, South River, Lewis, Dark Hollow) so you'll want to spend some time there.

If you want a nice view a bit away from Skyline Drive and higher than any point on the Drive, consider a hike up HighTop Mountain. From the trailhead (about a mile south on Skyline Drive from Rt. 33), it's a 1.5 mile, 900' ascent to the top where some rocks on the west slope afford nice views all the way to West Virginia on clear days. If you take this hike, as you stop ascending you'll find 2 viewpoints on your right. Skip the first one (it's getting overgrown), walk about another 200' to the second one. About another 300' on the Trail, you'll come to a spring - a rarity on top of a mountain.

[Capt.Scott]

I agree. I would also suggest SNP. Great hike to introduce to VA. I live in Richmond. Hike-On!

[Raymond10]

I hope to start hiking the AT this fall also, went to Harpers Ferry Friday, bought several books and maps, and I'm trying to get back into decent shape. Just found this site this morning (great place for info). Is there much traffic on the trail after Sept 1? Thought I would try 2-3 days to start, and then move up to a week at a time. Would like to do all of VA, atleast. N to S? S to N? Or does it matter? Anyone have an opinion?

Brian

[Cookerhiker]

I hope to start hiking the AT this fall also, went to Harpers Ferry Friday, bought several books and maps, and I'm trying to get back into decent shape. Just found this site this morning (great place for info). Is there much traffic on the trail after Sept 1? Thought I would try 2-3 days to start, and then move up to a week at a time. Would like to do all of VA, atleast. N to S? S to N? Or does it matter? Anyone have an opinion?

Brian

Welcome to WB:welcome

Some section hikers methodically hike the trail in the same direction in a contiguous manner, starting each section where they left off from their last hike. Not me. Personally, I don't think it matters a wit whether you hike N-S or S-N or hike different random, scattered segments. Since your coverage of Virginia will take a few years based on your stated intentions, I would also advise not to necessarily hike all of Virginia in the same manner nor all contiguously. In other words, maybe you'll hike Shenandoah in small pieces - some one day, some 2-3 days. Hike some N-S, some S-N, whatever works for you at the time. Then if you want to hike the Grayson Highlands, do it - don't feel you have to wait until you've hiked the entire stretch from SNP down to Atkins. Jump around!

Re your question about traffic on the Trail, the most you'll see is hiking SNP in the height of Fall colors but only the areas adjacent to Skyline Drove will be "crowded." September and October are very nice times to hike all of Virginia and you won't find crowds - only hikers like yourself who enjoy being out. In general, I'd say the least "crowded" portion is the Trail west of I-81. Why don't you try the 94-mile stretch between Daleville and Pearisburg? Lots of great features - McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, Wind Rock, the Keffer Oak - with some 1-2,000' climbs along with some ridge walking. You can catch a shuttle from the Rendezvous Motel listed in the Companion (http://www.aldha.org/companyn/va09.pdf).

Happy Trails!

[Raymond10]

Thanks for the info Cookerhiker!