Virginia Mountains is the perfect place for all adventure and outdoor enthusiasts looking for fun and relaxation.

The terrain is diverse, with forests, meadows in high altitudes, mountain streams, and waterfalls. There is something for everyone looking for a good weekend getaway or vacation.

1. Virginia

Virginia is a perfect place for lovers of all things natural and beautiful. Located between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains, a large part of shaping the geography of the place lies in the Chesapeake Bay and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

A visit to Virginia is the best way to enjoy the Virginia Mountains, the hiking trails, scenic drives, the history of the Native Americans, and quaint little towns. So, if you are a hiker, biker, surfer, mountain lover, history lover, or city buff, pack your bags, and why not travel to Virginia?

Franklin County in Virginia was also known as the ‘Moonshine Capital of the World’ because of the illegal moonshine trade its residents were involved in. Another attraction in Virginia, besides its mountains, is the Taubman Museum, renowned for its arts and culture. Be it the Garth Newel Music Center or the Winston Link Museum, Virginia offers a lot to visitors traveling to the state.

2. Virginia Mountains

Virginia Mountains is the perfect spot for all those looking for outdoor recreation and adventure and a break from the hectic city life. There is much to conquer here regarding adventure and excitement, and a trip to the Virginia Mountains is a good way to make memories.

Experience the magic of the Shenandoah National Park and explore the area on horseback. Skyland Stables provides guided horseback tours and rides on wild ponies all through the day.

2.1. Appalachian Mountains

Go on an Appalachian Trail and enjoy the Appalachians to the fullest. The Appalachian Mountains in Virginia are one of the Virginia Mountains on the Eastern side of America.

This is one of the country’s oldest landmarks, and these majestic mountain ranges are divided into the Northern, Central, and Southern sections. The natural beauty makes it a haven for hikers and campers looking for recreational activities.

This mountain range has five geological provinces: the Adirondack, Appalachian Basin, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the New England Province, and the Piedmont Province. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Mountains border Botetourt County, making it one of the prettiest counties in the region.

These oldest mountain ranges in the United States are known for their fauna, flora, and wildlife. The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest trails in the country, and the place attracts many visitors during the summer and winter months.

Many activities like snowmobiles, ice skating, tubing, and skiing happen during the winter season, and the rest of the time, it is a perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts.

2.2. Allegheny Mountains

Part of the Appalachian Mountains, the Allegheny Mountains has deciduous forests, Red Spruce, Eastern Hemlock, and Pine trees that make it scenically beautiful to visitors.

The highest point here is the Spruce Knob which is in West Virginia, and the Allegheny Mountains extend for miles from Pennsylvania to the Western region of Virginia.

The Allegheny Mountains get their name from the Allegheny River, and this mountain runs through most areas of Virginia. An area of the Allegheny Mountains is bordered by the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, which adds to the allure of the mountain ranges.

You can choose from the region’s hiking trails to enjoy the picturesque beauty of the place. This is one of the Virginia Mountains you can add to your list of mountains to visit if you are in Virginia and like hiking trails.

2.3. Bearfence Mountain

Are you feeling adventurous while in Virginia and want to visit some Virginia Mountains? Bearfence Mountain is a good stop for hikers, and the summit has two rock formations that give spectacular views.

The Bearfence Mountain Trail is a good way to reach the summit, and this is one of the best areas to visit if you are in Shenandoah National Park, Va.

The hike here is short, just a short climb over the rocks. The campsites here are open during spring and winter, and camping permits are required.

The camp permits are free from the entrance stations, visitor center, and park headquarters. This is one of the good trails you can do if you want to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.

2.4. Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia are one of the splendorous parts of not only the landscape of Virginia but also of America. The Blue Ridge Mountains are also known as the Blue Ridge Province, and 300 miles of this is covered in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the stretches of these mountains, and visitors keen on exploring the area can take two exciting routes.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is also known as ‘America’s Favorite Drive,’ its presence is felt from the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and other picnic spots make it easy to stop to eat and use restrooms on the way.

The region is diverse in its wildlife, and hikers can run into black bears, deer, wild turkeys, and other woodland animals. It is said there are around 200 species of wild animals in the area, and it is the Skyline Drive that most mountain lovers like to take.

There are a lot of parking areas if you want to be on Skyline Drive that give good views of the overlooks and expansive views of the towns and villages below.

If you are traveling to Virginia and looking to have some fun and excitement by visiting one of the Virginia Mountains, then the Blue Ridge Mountains are one of the choices. You can stay at the Roanoke Valley and access the Blue Ridge Mountains as it is at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountain Ranges.

There is the Rockfish Gap, which is also located here between Charlottesville and Waynesboro, Va. This is easily accessible and gives expansive views of the Shenandoah Valley to the West and Piedmont to the East. Rockfish is on Shenandoah’s southern entrance, and at the high point, you will feel as if the birds are flying at your eye level.

Visit the Poplar Forest of Thomas Jefferson; it is the best way to enjoy and marvel at the architectural wonders of the National Historic landmark. Get to know more about the lives of the enslaved communities by visiting here.

2.5. Bull Run Mountains

A trek or a hiking trail to the top of the Bull Run Mountains takes you to the rolling hills in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are in the Easternmost region of Virginia. The Bull Runs Mountains Natural Preserve Area is said to be the home of around 100 species of wild birds, and they have diverse wildlife.

There are a lot of unique animal and plant species in this preserve that stretches across 2,350 acres. Explore the steep valley and rocky ridges of the Bull Run Mountains by taking one of the many trails there. If you want to explore one of the Virginia Mountains, look no further. The Bull Run Mountains in Virginia will amaze you with their attractive vistas.

2.6. Catawba Mountain

The Catawba Mountain is mostly known for Mcafee Knob, the most photographed area on the Appalachian Trail, and it winds its way exquisitely through Virginia.

The Catawba Mountain via Appalachian Trail is an easy trail, and all three hikes in the region are in the Roanoke Valley. Go on this trail and enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Virginia Mountains at close quarters.

2.7. Catoctin Mountains

Along with the Bull Run Mountains in VA, the Catoctin Mountains in Virginia are in the easternmost mountain ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This mountain park has around 25 miles of hiking trails, with some bordering on easy and some strenuous.

If you are looking for some outdoor adventure while visiting Virginia, a visit to one of the Virginia Mountains is an excellent way to get to know more about the landscape of Va.

2.8. Cumberland Mountains

The Cumberland Mountains are a good collection of rugged peaks located in the Southeastern section of the Appalachian Mountains. The Cumberland Gap passes through the long ridge in the Cumberland Mountains, and it is a famous part of American history for being a key passageway through the lower central Appalachians.

The Cumberland Gap is historically famous and worth visiting if you travel that side.

2.9. Great North Mountain

Great North Mountain in Virginia is one of the popular Virginia Mountains and is a mountain ridge within the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians.

It is in Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The Great North Mountain is also known as the Great Ridge, and there are hiking trails here for all those who enjoy hiking and birding.

Part of the Great North Mountain is also in the George Washington National Forest, and the Run Waterfall is one of the prettiest waterfalls on the Great North Mountain.

2.10. Hawksbill Mountain

Virginia’s mountains can awaken you with amazing views, overlooks, exhilarating drop-offs, exciting terrain, and scenic beauty. Hawksbill Mountain, one of the Virginia Mountains, is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park and marks the border between Madison County and Page County in Virginia.

Though many trails here take you to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain, the most popular is the Appalachian Trail. It takes you to the viewing platform and gives you breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Mountains, and the VA Piedmont.

2.11. Massanutten Mountain

Located near the West Virginia state line, the Massanutten Mountain is a synclinal ridge in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. The mountain is 50 miles long and 6 miles wide, attracting hikers and mountain bikers from everywhere. There are a lot of outdoor activities that can be done here, and it is a hotspot for its winter activities during winter.

There is a lot of wildlife here, and the place’s flora adds to the region’s radiance and grace and makes it visually appealing to visitors.

2.12. Mount Rogers

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area is in Southwestern Virginia and is part of the Jefferson National Forest. Mount Rogers area is a reminder of volcanic activities that were part of the landscape years ago.

The Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forests are found here; Mount Rogers in Grayson County is the highest point in Virginia, with an elevation of approximately 5,729 above sea level.

Taking one of the hiking trails here would be the best way to marvel at the region’s landscape, natural beauty, and unparalleled charm.

2.13. Old Rag Mountain

The Old Rag Mountain is within the Blue Ridge Mountains, and its peak is in the Shenandoah National Park. The terrain here is difficult, and this is one of the Virginia Mountains with a rocky summit compared to the other mountain ranges in Virginia.

The hiking trails here are long, challenging, and dangerous, making it the favorite playground for professional hikers. If you are an experienced hiker looking for adventurous hiking trails, this is one of them. A hike here is one of the best ways to enjoy the picturesque views.

2.14. Peaks of Otter

The three mountain ridges in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia are called Peaks of Otter and overlook Bedford town.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is under these peaks, and a visit here is the best way to understand the historical legacy of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Peaks of Otter, the Flat Top, Sharp Top, and Harkening Hill are quite famous in the Virginia Mountains.

Expert hikers can do the three peaks in one day; the Sharp Top Peak is the most popular; all the hikes give you splendid 360 views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You get to see the Apple Orchard Falls as you go along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take a break there as you enjoy breathtaking views of the waterfall.

15. Sharp Top Mountain

The Sharp Top Mountain is one of the three peaks called the Peaks of Otter in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The three peaks are the Flat Top at 4,004 feet, Sharp Top at 3,875 feet, and Harkening Hill at 3,375 feet. Sharp Top Mountain is more popular among hikers because of its spectacular summit views.

The stone building built near the summit is good enough to shelter hikers in a storm. There are three viewing areas on the summit, and you can see extensive views of the Allegheny Mountains and Shenandoah Valley to the West and Piedmont to the East.

Soak in the beautiful views of Abbot Lake and the Peaks of the Otter Lodge, and this can be one of the Virginia Mountains you can include in your list to visit any of the mountains in Virginia.

16. Whitetop Mountain

Whitetop Mountain is the second-highest peak in Virginia and can be accessed by vehicle. It is a birding spot with a high chance of running into wildlife. The winding road to the summit takes you through open meadows, mountain balds, spruce forests, and hardwood forests.

Located within Grayson County, Smyth County, and Washington County, a part of Whitetop Mountain also extends to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Jefferson National Forest.

At 5,500 feet, Whitetop Mountain is next to Mount Rogers, and the well-paved gravel road gives easy access to all who want to visit the place in Virginia. The wonderful landscape of the local region makes it an ideal destination to take a road trip to. You can visit Whitetop Mountain during all the seasons, and the scenic drives are worth your time.

17. Wildcat Mountain

It is a scenic mountain in the East and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. There is a rich variety of plants and wildlife here. The mountain area is now with the Nature Conservancy, with old stone walls giving boundary lines.

Taking a trail here will take you back in time, and you will come across a stone-crafted house and an old homestead site. This is one of the Virginia Mountains worth a trip if you are nearby.

Closing Thoughts

Mountains are always fascinating with their magnitude and massiveness, and that goes without saying for Virginia Mountains, too. The Humpback Bridge, Rocky Mount, Hot Springs, and other attractions in Virginia add to the delightful charm of the place and its majestic mountains.

They silently speak of the history, heritage, Appalachian culture, and region’s visual appeal with their presence.

Last Updated on November 28, 2023 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology