Favorite stretch in VA/NC/TN

[heavy]

I'm watching for a decent weekend weather wise to get out and do 25-30 miles. I'm fortunate to have the grayson highlands as a home stretch, so I may well end up out there. Grayson aside, I'm curious to know some of your favorite stretches between Harpers Ferry and the Smokies?

Thanks in advance.

[Gambit McCrae]

Whelp, You are a lucky person, to have grayson so close....
Roan Highlands is always my tied for first with Grayson....
The northern half of the smokies is nice as well but requires some planning that may not lend itself to cherry picking a nice weather weekend(short notice)

Honorable mentions include Big Bald, Chestnut Ridge, SNP....

[Slugg]

In addition to what Gambit said..
Any stretch that includes:
Max Patch
Beauty Spot
Little/Big Hump Mountain
Laurel Falls

I really loved the Smokies personally.

[heavy]

Whelp, You are a lucky person, to have grayson so close....
Roan Highlands is always my tied for first with Grayson....
The northern half of the smokies is nice as well but requires some planning that may not lend itself to cherry picking a nice weather weekend(short notice)

Honorable mentions include Big Bald, Chestnut Ridge, SNP....

Thanks guys. I'm making a list here. Chestnut Ridge is a local favorite too, those views up top are so nice. I could do Grayson and Roan forever, and I do tend to do them both most years. I know I need to get up to SNP. Big bald was news to me truthfully. I'm def looking to get in max patch and beauty spot this year too.

[chknfngrs]

Honestly, any stretch of the trail I ever find myself on is magnificent.

I really love the Virginia Triple Crown, Three Ridges, Shenandoah NP. I especially love the stretch between snickers gap and Harper’s ferry because I took each of my three boys in their first backpacking trips there.

[LittleRock]

I personally enjoyed central VA between Daleville and SNP

[Wheezy]

Echoing other posts,
Roan
Smokies, especially the northern half
Grayson
Standing Indian area, but I haven't been back since the fire
Area above the Shelton Laurel is nice, Whiterock and Blackstack Cliffs

[Astro]

When up for closer to 100 miles, I would recommend Shenandoah NP. After completing the AT in 2021, I even went back in 2022 and did this section again. Reasonable trail (especially after NH & ME), views, waysides, camp stores (& showers), made for pleasant reunion hike.

And of course great opportunity for seing wildlife (deer and bears).

[JNI64]

Honestly, any stretch of the trail I ever find myself on is magnificent.

I really love the Virginia Triple Crown, Three Ridges, Shenandoah NP. I especially love the stretch between snickers gap and Harper’s ferry because I took each of my three boys in their first backpacking trips there.

I'm very much in line with this awesome places for sure
And I used live between the Blackburn trail center and the David Lesnar shelter and had easy access to the trail and spent hundreds of nights between snickers gap and Harpers ferry . A lot of special memories and many stories, memories !

[HankIV]

More of a point than a section, but the ledges at the top of the Priest, just north of the shelter.

And the couple miles along Three Ridges where it’s pretty flat and high up, and the forest is a bit more open.

[k_e_v]

Interesting too see the choices and see how my thoughts on those selections were affected by the weather I had when hiking those parts. For example Beauty Spot and MacksPatch were on cloudy, foggy days and hence wouldn't make my list. So on your criteria I would hike The Roan Highlands

[Bubblehead]

Little Hump Mountain, Hump Mountain, Big Firescald Knob, Laurel Falls, Pastures in Tennesee mi. 450 NOBO...

[HankIV]

Headed SOBO, the mile or so of views from Chestnut Ridge Shelter. And the view from the shelter itself

[TwigBoy]

There’s quite a few loops centered around Wytheville, Virginia



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