Fall destinations like Vermont and New Hampshire are well celebrated, but the Virginia Blue Ridge, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has its fair share of fall bragging rights. Most visitors settle for a drive down the tree-lined Blue Ridge Parkway, aptly dubbed “America’s Favorite Drive,” but if you really want to be immersed in fall colors, lace up your hiking boots and head into the mountains.
Virginia’s Triple Crown is a hiking route that leads hikers to three of the state’s most stunning natural sites. It’s particularly beautiful in the fall when the leaves start to turn shades of yellow, orange, and red. The Triple Crown can be done all at once, throughout a multiday backpacking trip, or you can hike the three segments separately.
The Full Virginia Triple Crown Loop
The full Triple Crown hike is a 34.8-mile loop that takes most hikers three days to complete, with two nights of camping. It is best done counterclockwise and starts and ends at VA Route 311, also known as the McAfee Knob Trailhead.
The first big site for hikers is the McAfee Knob, which juts out over the valley (much like Pride Rock in “The Lion King”) and is one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail for its sweeping valley views. The next big stop is the Tinker Cliffs, which overlook the Catawba Valley. The third and final major sight is the Dragon’s Tooth, a jutting tooth-like rock formation that’s impossible to miss. The best part? You can climb partially up the 35-foot spire.
If you want to complete the full Virginia Triple Crown, pack enough food and water for at least three full days in the woods, plus safety and hiking gear. There are water sources, but depending on the season, they may be dry. Some shelters are available along the route, but come prepared to camp in the wilderness. Camping is only allowed at designated campsites or shelters, so you must plan the day’s destination in advance.
Hiking One Segment of the Loop
If backpacking for three days and two nights is a bit much, you can get your fall foliage fix by hiking just one of the three segments.
McAfee Knob is one of the most recognizable points on the Appalachian Trail. Reaching the iconic rock ledge requires a 7.5-mile hike. You can expect the route to be busy with both Appalachian Trail backpackers and day hikers.
The Tinker Cliffs are the most overlooked of the three sites, which means this segment of the loop is often a bit quieter than the other two hikes. To hike to the Tinker Cliffs, follow the Andy Layne Trail off Catawba Road. The out-and-back route is 7.6 miles in total with significant elevation gain. The cliffs themselves are stunning to see—they’re made of Tuscarora quartzite and provide views of Catawba Mountain and McAfee Knob.
The Dragon’s Tooth is the most difficult of the three segments. It’s only 4.6 miles in total (2.3 miles each way), but it includes a steep ascent to “the Tooth” via rock steps and some bouldering. Iron bars are drilled into the rock walls to assist with the climb.
Parking
Parking is available at all three trailheads, but McAfee Knob can get really crowded, especially in the fall. Parking along the road and outside the designated parking areas can result in being towed, so don’t risk it. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from March to November, the McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle offers service from different pick-up points around the Salem area to the McAfee Knob Trailhead and Dragon’s Tooth Trailhead. The fare is $11 round-trip or $6 one-way.
