Off The Beaten Path: Hiking The Appalachian Trail

For a number of people, thru hiking the Appalachian Trail is a lifelong dream. Others are just as happy section hiking the AT over a number of years, or simply exploring the AT over a few weekends. The Appalachian Mountain Club offers a number of resources, lodging options, and guided programs for whatever style of AT exploration fits your timeframe and budget. 

The trail is more than 2,000 miles long so we are just going to look at one portion of it that is within Virginia.  Virginia is home to more than 500 miles of the Appalachian Trial, more miles than any other state! And 101 of those miles lie in beautiful Shenandoah National Park and parallel to Skyline Drive. The A.T. also parallels the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, goes through Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, and ends in Damascus, known as Trail Town USA, where the trail goes right down its main thoroughfare. 

Begin your hike at the border of Virginia/West Virginia in Clarke County. Many backpackers consider this portion of the A.T. perfect for spring break! The Key Points are: 54 miles long and the best Time to Hike: Spring and September to early November

The next section is Shenandoah National Park of the Appalachian Trail Shenandoah National Park DeerThe Trail is well-graded, well-maintained and gentle grades for less-experienced hikers. The park facilities close in early November through March, and snow shuts down Skyline Drive to motorists. Although cross-country skiers and snowshoers are welcome! The Key Points are: 101 miles long. The best time to hike: Spring and September to October.

Follow that section with Virginia's Central Portion of the Appalachian Trail - Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke. The Trail becomes more difficult the further south you travel, with many 2,000- to 3,000-foot climbs, crossing ridges and valleys. to Roanoke. The Key Points are: 225 miles long. The best time to hike: Spring and September to October.

The end of the trail is Virginia's Southern End of the Appalachian Trail - Roanoke to Pearisburg. The A.T. travels more westerly through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests from Roanoke County to Pearisburg in Giles County. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, this portion of the A.T. is the most remote and less traveled. The Key Points are: 166 miles long. The best time to hike: May to October.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

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