Hike These 6 Terrific Trails in Washington County, VA

These pristine paths in beautiful Virginia are must-visits for an unforgettable outdoor outing.

By Cary Estes on November 30, 2023

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

While the Appalachian Trail receives most of the attention, there are several other trails and parks in the Washington County region. So, for those who wish to venture off the beaten path, here are six trails in Washington County that will make for a great day hike.

Grayson Highlands State Park: Tucked between Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, Grayson Highlands offers views of the surrounding 5,000-foot-high peaks. Hiking trails within the park lead to waterfalls and scenic overlooks, but the main attraction is the park’s wild ponies. There are also trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. 

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area: The options at Mount Rogers are as expansive as the recreation area itself, with more than 500 miles of trails located within the approximately 200,000 acres of national forest land. Popular attractions include the same herd of wild free-ranging ponies, massive rock formations and the highest-elevation road in Virginia. 

Virginia Creeper Trail: This 34-mile pathway stretches from Abingdon through Damascus and onto Mount Rogers. The Virginia Creeper Trail crosses nearly 50 wooden trestles and passes a diverse landscape, ranging from open farmland to dense forests to flowing streams. In 2014, the trail was inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. 

Salt Trail: One of the easiest ways to enjoy the great outdoors is along the Salt Trail, which runs for nearly 9 miles from Glade Spring to Saltville in Smyth County. This trail is mostly flat as it passes through both woodland and farmland, making it ideal for a leisurely walk or bike ride. 

Mendota Trail: This is a new rail-to-trail project located in western Washington County. The 12.5-mile hiking and biking corridor runs from Mendota to Bristol. Rather than a crushed gravel base, the Mendota has a more natural surface of packed dirt and grass. 

Appalachian Trail (section hike): Of course, when you think of trails in Washington County, there is always the biggest trail of them all. The Appalachian Trail enters Washington County from the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, crossing the state line just south of Damascus. From there, it continues into the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the massive 1.8-million-acre Jefferson National Forest (with nearly 23,000 acres located in Washington County) before cutting across a corner of Grayson Highlands State Park.