Perfect peaks for photography, proposals, or maybe picnics! Whatever your purpose for a perfect peak, these are those. Set out on an adventure during any season and be rewarded with panoramic, breathtaking views.
When it comes to sky-high peaks, there's an area in Virginia that sits head-and-shoulders above the rest. Grayson and Smyth Counties in southwest Virginia have five summits exceeding 5,000 feet that'll impress every hiker.
Mount Rogers
Elevation: 5,729 feet
36.660ºN -81.545ºW
Photo Credit: Kyle LaFerriere, @laferriere.photography
- 200,000 acres
- Four wilderness areas; two national forests
- 500 miles of trails that include the Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail and Virginia Highland Horse Trail
- Virginia's highest road; leads to the summit of Whitetop Mountain
- Campgrounds available
- Hurricane Campground
- Grindstone Campground - closest to the summit
- Beartree Campground
Whitetop Mountain
Elevation: 5,525 feet
36.639ºN -81.605ºW
Photo Credit: Nicholas Moore, @nicholasmoorephoto
Whitetop is the beginning (or the end) of the Virginia Creeper Trail, a 35-mile rail-to-trail with points in Abingdon and Damascus as well. It's also part of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.
National Geographic Map
Pine Mountain / Wilburn Ridge
Elevation: 5,525 feet
36.657ºN -81.521ºW
Photo Credit: Brad Deel, @brad.deel
Wilburn Ridge is the highest peak on Pine Mountain and is part of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The best access point is through Grayson Highlands State Park at Massie Gap.
Hiking Upward Trail Map
Grayson Highlands State Park Trail Map
Buzzard Rock
Elevation: 5,095 feet
36.635ºN -81.617ºW
Buzzard Rock is a summit of Whitetop Mountain. Indeed, the two can be experienced in the same trip. The distance between them is just shy of seven miles.
Haw Orchard Mountain
Elevation: 5,007 feet
36.630ºN -81.510ºW
Haw Orchard Mountain is within Grayson Highlands State Park. Access the trailhead at Massie Gap.
SummitPost.org Overview
See Virginia's other mountain destinations at Virginia.org/Mountains.