Hiking to a Breathtaking Virginia Sunrise

A Virginia summer approaches, properly timing your outdoor trail adventures becomes a must. If you start your adventure early in the morning, you can avoid the heat and receive another added perk: a beautiful Virginia sunrise.

Here are our favorite spots to start the day with an invigorating hike throughout the Commonwealth.

McAfee Knob

Known as the most photographed site along the Appalachian Trail, the jutting ledge of McAfee Knob gives you a breathtaking view. The mountain platform overlooks the Catawba Valley, Roanoke Valley, Tinkers Cliffs, and North Mountain. While it is a fairly strenuous hike, there are many rewarding viewpoints on the way up for hikers looking to take in a sunrise.

Hawksbill Mountain

Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, reaching 4,050 feet. You can reach the trail from parking areas at mileposts 45.6 and 46.7. From the summit, catch a peek of Old Rag, which has beautiful views but is a much longer and more difficult trail.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Spanning from Virginia’s Eastern Shore up into Maryland for a total of 37 miles, Assateague Island National Seashore marks the farthest east point of Virginia. Swan Cove Trail takes you out onto the beach area, where you may even see a few wild ponies along with your sunrise.

Stony Man Trail

Stony Man Trail is about a 1.6 mile circuit from milepost 41.7 on Skyline Drive. Hike this moderate trail to reach the summit and witness the sun rise over Shenandoah National Park.

Spy Rock

To get to Spy Rock, you’ll walk a little more than a mile to reach the Appalachian Trail from Montebello Fish Hatchery, and then go left at the fork to reach the viewpoint. This is a fairly strenuous climb and involves a little scrambling, but the summit gives you a 360 degree vantage of the sunrise from the rock outcrop.

Peaks of Otter

Peaks of Otter near the town of Bedford is actually made up of three total peaks: Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Each has its own incredible landscape, but most agree that Sharp Top—while not the highest—has the most unencumbered panoramic view. The trail winds for only about 1.5 miles before you reach this sunrise summit, but with an elevation change of 1,340 total feet, it is definitely a more strenuous hike.

Compton Peak

Take Skyline Drive at Compton Gap to reach Compton Peak. The trailhead starts across the road from the parking area at milepost 10.3. This is an easy roundtrip hike of about 2.4 miles with very little elevation change.

Molly’s Knob

Molly’s Knob Trail is 1.6 miles but the path is narrow, steep, and difficult. The summit of Molly’s Knob reaches 3,270 feet and is the highest peak in Hungry Mother State Park, located in Smyth County.

Humpback Rocks

For a short hike to reach an impeccable sunrise spot, head to Humpback Rocks, near Waynesboro. Follow Mountain Farm Trail from milepost 5.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway to find the view. This trail extends only a quarter mile through the mountains, making it another great option for beginners.

Buffalo Mountain

This is a steep trail of about a mile, but you’ll get a gorgeous view of the sunrise over the Blue Ridge Highlands and Floyd County from the Buffalo Mountain summit.

Breaks Interstate Park

Along the border of Virginia and Kentucky, Breaks Interstate Park has 25 miles of trails. Take the Overlook Trail, less than a mile to the vantage point, for the best sunrise view.

Westmoreland State Park

The waterfront Westmoreland State Park has seven total trails that cover almost six miles. The Beach Trail alongside the Potomac River spans less than half a mile and allows hikers to observe the sunrise over the water.

False Cape State Park

False Cape State Park runs along the Atlantic Ocean on a peninsula south of Virginia Beach. There are 7.5 miles of trails available for hiking and biking, and three trails will take you to an oceanfront sunrise. Hike Barbour Hill Trail for 1.4 miles to reach your sunrise spot. If you are looking for a shorter pathway to your sunrise over the sands, use Wash Woods Trail (0.66 miles) or False Cape Landing Trail (0.7 miles).

While you may have to get up early to make it happen, the view from these outdoor destinations is well worth setting your alarm.