15 Best Fall Foliage Hikes in Virginia

Virginia’s best fall foliage hikes lead to Blue Ridge summits, rocky overlooks, waterfalls, and sweeping views filled with amber, orange, and gold.

I’ve completed more than 300 hikes across Virginia, written three Virginia hiking guidebooks for Falcon Guides, and personally hiked every trail on this list.

I chose these 15 hikes specifically for the quality of their fall scenery—not simply because they’re great trails that happen to look good in October.

My top picks are Hawksbill Summit, Humpback Rocks, and Sharp Top. For an easier hike with a big payoff, try Stony Man, Twin Pinnacles, or Bear’s Den.

Fall color arrives at different times across Virginia, depending on elevation and location. The show unfolds throughout October as color moves across the state.

Best Fall Foliage Hikes at a Glance

Here are 15 of the best fall foliage hikes in Virginia for taking it all in.

Hike	Location	Mileage	Difficulty	Best For
Hawksbill Summit	Shenandoah National Park	1.6–2.8 miles	Moderate	Overall top pick
Humpback Rocks	Blue Ridge Parkway	2.0 miles	Strenuous	Views on a short hike
Sharp Top	Peaks of Otter	3.3 miles	Strenuous	360-degree summit views
McAfee Knob	Catawba	8.0 miles	Moderate	Iconic Virginia viewpoint
Mary's Rock	Shenandoah National Park	2.7–3.7 miles	Moderate	Shenandoah Valley views
Crabtree Falls	Tyro	3.3 miles	Moderate	Waterfall + fall foliage
Stony Man	Shenandoah National Park	1.6 miles	Easy-Moderate	Easy mountain payoff
Molly's Knob	Hungry Mother State Park	3.6 miles	Moderate	Lake + mountain views
Bearfence Mountain	Shenandoah National Park	About 1 mile	Moderate	Scramble + 360-degree views
Raven Rocks	Bluemont	5.1 miles	Strenuous	Northern Virginia
Twin Pinnacles	Grayson Highlands State Park	2.1 miles	Moderate	Southwest Virginia
Buffalo Mountain	Willis	2.0 miles	Easy	Open summit
Breaks Interstate Park Loop	Breaks Interstate Park	3.6 miles	Moderate	Scenic gorge views
Loft Mountain	Shenandoah National Park	2.1 miles	Easy	Quiet Shenandoah views
Bears Den	Bluemont	1.4 miles	Easy-Moderate	Short big-view hike

#1: Hawksbill Summit (Shenandoah NP)

1.6–2.8 miles | Moderate | Best overall fall foliage hike

At 4,051 feet, Hawksbill is the highest point in Shenandoah National Park—and my pick for the best fall foliage hike in Virginia.

Views stretch across the Blue Ridge, Shenandoah Valley, and surrounding mountains. Scenic points reveal layer after layer of ridges glowing with fall color.

There are three ways to reach Hawksbill. For the shortest option, start at the Hawksbill Gap parking area for a roughly 1.6-mile out-and-back hike.

#2: Humpback Rocks (Nellysford)

2.0 miles | Strenuous | Best short hike with a huge payoff

Humpback Rocks packs one of Virginia’s biggest fall views into a relatively short hike. Be prepared: the one-mile climb to the rocks gains about 700 feet. 

At the summit, enjoy expansive views across the Shenandoah and Rockfish valleys. In the fall, surrounding ridges stun with yellows, reds, and oranges. 

Few Virginia trails deliver this much mountain scenery in only two miles. Keep in mind, the Humpback Gap lot is small and fills quickly on fall weekends. 

#3: Sharp Top (Bedford)

3.3 miles | Strenuous | Best 360-degree summit

Sharp Top, one of the three Peaks of Otter, rises above Abbott Lake and rewards hikers with one of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s classic summit views.

The trail climbs steadily, then opens to stone walkways, terraces and rocky viewpoints near the top, where fall colors stretch in all directions. 

On the descent, follow the short spur to Buzzard’s Roost for another rocky overlook. Climb the massive boulders for more Blue Ridge views.

#4: McAfee Knob (Catawba)

8.0 miles | Moderate | Best iconic Virginia fall hike

McAfee Knob earns its reputation, especially in fall. Its famous rock ledge opens to views across Catawba Valley, Roanoke Valley, and North Mountain.

The standard hike gains roughly 1,650 feet. Follow the Appalachian Trail or use the McAfee Knob Trail to reach the iconic rock protrusion.

Take in layers of forested ridges glowing in red, orange, and gold. Few Virginia overlooks capture the scale of the state’s mountain foliage quite like this one.

#5: Mary’s Rock (Shenandoah NP)

2.7–3.7 miles | Moderate | Best Shenandoah Valley view

Mary’s Rock rewards hikers with fall views across the Shenandoah Valley and toward Massanutten Mountain from a rocky summit in the park’s Central District.

It’s a great choice for anyone who wants a substantial mountain panorama without committing to an all-day hike.

Two popular routes reach the summit. The shorter option starts near Meadow Spring, while a longer approach begins at Panorama near Thornton Gap.

#6: Crabtree Falls (Montebello)

3.3 miles | Moderate | Best waterfall hike

Crabtree Falls is especially beautiful in fall, when brilliant reds, oranges, and golds surround one of Virginia’s most impressive waterfall hikes.

The trail climbs alongside Crabtree Creek, passing cascades and overlooks framed by colorful hardwoods. The scenery starts almost immediately, too.

Sweeping mountain views await near the top, but the real highlight is the mix of rushing water and brilliant fall foliage for nearly the entire hike.

#7: Stony Man (Shenandoah NP)

About 1.6 miles | Easy–Moderate | Best easy summit

Stony Man offers one of Shenandoah’s best effort-to-view ratios. A short climb leads to a rocky overlook framed by amber, gold, and fiery orange foliage.

From the top, broad views stretch toward the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain, delivering big mountain scenery without a long hike.

It’s an especially good choice for families or anyone who wants a classic Shenandoah fall panorama with relatively little effort.

#8: Molly’s Knob (Marion)

3.6 miles | Moderate | Best lake-and-mountain scenery

Molly’s Knob rises above Hungry Mother State Park near Marion, rewarding hikers with west-facing views across the lake and surrounding mountains.

The trail gains nearly 1,000 feet, so you’ll earn the overlook, but the payoff is expansive scenery stretching toward Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain.

In fall, blue water and layers of red, orange, and gold ridges make this one of Southwest Virginia’s prettiest hikes.

#9: Bearfence Mountain (Shenandoah NP)

About 1 mile | Moderate | Best rock scramble

Don’t let the short mileage fool you. Bearfence Mountain requires hikers to scramble across rocks using hands, feet, and sometimes even knees. 

I assure you, though, it’s worth every ounce of effort. The payoff is one of Shenandoah National Park’s rare 360-degree summit views.

On a clear fall day, amber, gold, and fiery orange stretch in nearly every direction. Few short hikes deliver such a sweeping look at peak foliage.

#10: Raven Rocks (Bluemont)

5.1 miles | Strenuous | Best fall hike in Northern Virginia

Raven Rocks follows the Appalachian Trail across a rolling, rocky stretch near Bluemont before reaching a wide overlook across the valley and mountains.

With more than 1,500 feet of elevation gain, this trek is considerably harder than nearby Bear’s Den, but the fall views are worth the climb.

Raven Rocks is one of the best hikes for taking in entire ridgelines draped in red, orange, and gold rather than simply walking beneath colorful trees.

#11: Twin Pinnacles (Mouth of Wilson)

2.1 miles | Moderate | Best Southwest Virginia short hike

The Twin Pinnacles hike at Grayson Highlands State Park leads to sweeping viewpoints from both Big Pinnacle and Little Pinnacle.

At just two miles, it packs in an impressive amount of high-elevation scenery, with broad mountain views unfolding almost from the start.

Fall color arrives earlier in Southwest Virginia than in much of the state. These open overlooks are ideal for enjoying reds, oranges, and golds.

#12: Buffalo Mountain (Willis)

2.0 miles | Easy | Best open summit

Buffalo Mountain stands out from many Virginia hikes thanks to its rounded, mostly treeless summit and wide-open Blue Ridge views.

After a relatively short climb, hikers reach an exposed summit where fall color spreads across the surrounding mountains in nearly every direction.

The natural area also protects several unusual plant communities, so stay on the marked trail. At the top, take in the sweeping reds, oranges, and golds below.

#13: Breaks Interstate Park Loop (Haysi) 

3.6 miles | Moderate | Best gorge views

Breaks Interstate Park offers a different kind of fall scenery, with overlooks into a deep, rugged gorge instead of across a typical Blue Ridge summit.

Link several of the park’s shorter trails for a roughly 3.6-mile loop filled with rock formations, cliff overhangs, forest, and dramatic gorge views.

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the South,” the steep, heavily wooded gorge turns especially striking in fall, with layers of red, orange, and gold.

#14: Loft Mountain (Shenandoah NP)

2.1 miles | Easy | Best quieter Shenandoah hike

Loft Mountain Loop is one of my favorite fall alternatives to Shenandoah National Park’s better-known summit hikes, like Stony Man and Mary’s Rock.

This easy loop delivers two beautiful overlooks. Hike counter-clockwise and you’ll reach the first sweeping, foliage-filled viewpoint at just 0.6 miles.

You get colorful forest, open mountain views, and plenty of fall scenery without committing to one of the park’s busier marquee hikes.

#15: Bear’s Den (Bluemont)

1.4 miles | Easy–Moderate | Best very short fall hike

Bear’s Den proves you don’t need a long hike to earn a big fall view. This short stretch of the Appalachian Trail leads to a highly rewarding overlook.

The trail is brief but rocky, with roots, boulders, and uneven footing, yet it’s one of the quickest routes to an expansive fall panorama.

At the top, a west-facing overlook opens across the Blue Ridge, making Bear’s Den a beautiful place to watch late-day light sweep across the fall foliage.

When is Peak Fall Foliage in Virginia?

There is no single peak foliage date for Virginia. Color generally develops first at higher elevations and in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.

Color then progresses through the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley before reaching lower elevations and eastern portions of the state.

As a general planning guide:

• Early to mid-October: High elevations and Southwest Virginia
• Mid- to late October: Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, and much of western Virginia
• Late October into early November: Lower elevations and areas farther east

Weather can shift those windows from year to year, so check current foliage reports before making a long drive.

Fall Foliage Hikes by Region

• Blue Ridge Parkway: Humpback Rocks, Sharp Top
• Central Virginia: Crabtree Falls 
• Northern Virginia: Raven Rocks, Bear’s Den
• Shenandoah National Park: Hawksbill, Mary’s Rock, Stony Man, Bearfence Mountain, Loft Mountain
• Southwest Virginia: Molly’s Knob, Twin Pinnacles, Buffalo Mountain, Breaks Interstate Park
• Virginia Mountains: McAfee Knob 

How I Chose the Best Fall Hikes in Virginia

I’ve completed more than 300 hikes across Virginia, including every trail on this list. I selected these hikes specifically for their fall scenery.

I prioritized wide mountain views, colorful hardwood forests, waterfalls, lakes, and other landscapes where fall color is a major part of the experience.

I also looked for a mix of hike lengths and difficulty levels, from Bear’s Den and Stony Man to longer climbs such as McAfee Knob.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fall foliage hike in Virginia?

For expansive mountain views, Hawksbill Summit in Shenandoah National Park is my top pick.

Humpback Rocks, Sharp Top, McAfee Knob and Mary’s Rock are also among Virginia’s best hikes for viewing fall color.

What is an easy Virginia hike for fall foliage?

Stony Man, Bear’s Den and Twin Pinnacles deliver fall views without requiring a long hike. At Shenandoah, Stony Man offers an easy route to mountain views.

When is the best time to see fall foliage in Virginia?

Mid- to late October is generally the most dependable window for Virginia’s mountains and Blue Ridge. Exact timing varies each year.

Where does fall foliage peak first in Virginia?

Virginia’s highest elevations in Southwest Virginia change first. Color then progresses into the Blue Ridge, Shenandoah Valley, and lower elevations.

What about Old Rag, Whiteoak Canyon, and Blackrock Summit? 

Virginia has plenty of other excellent fall hikes, including Old Rag, Whiteoak Canyon and Blackrock Summit.

I considered all three, but here is why they missed:

• Old Rag: Spectacular, but the scramble is the star more than the foliage.
• Whiteoak Canyon: Gorgeous in fall, but I chose Crabtree Falls as my waterfall-and-foliage pick.
• Blackrock Summit: An excellent easy hike, but Stony Man edged it out for fall views in Shenandoah National Park.

The 15 hikes that made my list earned their spots specifically for their colorful fall scenery and the overall foliage-viewing experience.