Appalachian Trail

The Appalachain Trail passes through the outskirts of Pearisburg, making it a convenient depot along the trail for hikers in need of supplies and overnight accommodations. The Holy Family Catholic Church operates a hostel for hikers to have a warm, dry place to rest up while they do their laundry, touch base with "the folks back home", and restock on supplies. A loop trail to Angels Rest, which overlooks Pearisburg from the west, has been suggested to encourage convenient day hiking. Some 800 to 1200 hikers pass through the community annually.

550.1 miles (includes 23.8 miles along Va./W.Va. border)
Total Elevation Range
668—5,500 feet
One-fourth of the Appalachian Trail lies in Virginia. It varies from easy hiking to very difficult rock scrambling, from busy national parks to isolated wilderness areas.

Shenandoah National Park to Pearisburg
Section miles: 224.8
Difficulty: 3 - 5
Elevation range
668—4,225 feet
Best time to hike
* April - June
* September-October
* July & August are bearable except during a heat wave
Areas of heavy use
* Reeds Gap to The Priest
* McAfee Knob
* Dragon's Tooth
Overview
South of Shenandoah, the A.T. parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway. The farther south it goes, the more difficult the hiking becomes; the treadway is well-graded, but includes a number of 2,000- and 3,000-foot climbs. Mature timber, high summits, and and spectacular wilderness can be found in the George Washington National Forest, north of Roanoke. The Trail follows the Blue Ridge to just north of Roanoke, then crosses the Great Appalachian Valley to the "North Mountain" Ridge, and the edge of the Allegheny Plateau.

South of Dragon's Tooth the Trail is more remote and less traveled.

Sugar Run Gap to Pearisburg
Activity Type:   Hiking
Nearby City:   Pearisburg, VA
Length:   9.5 total miles
Trail Type:   Point-to-Point
Skill Level:   Moderate

Area hiking information
Appalachian Trail Conference
Appalachian Trial Map
Trails.com

The information on this page is supplied by The Appalachian Trail Conference, Roanoke Times Outdoor Hiking Section and Trails.com