Blue ridge hikes Virginia

our top 5 best hikes near wintergreen in the blue ridge mountains

Fall mornings in the Blue Ridge have a way of making you slow down. The air is crisp, the light is soft, and even the coffee seems to taste better. At Knob Hill, our mountain home, we start most mornings before sunrise with our four dogs and a walk through the chill. You can smell pine and wood smoke in the air, and as the valley wakes up, the mountains start to glow.

One of my favorite kinds of days starts just like that — quiet at first, then full of color and movement. After breakfast, we lace up our boots, grab a few snacks, and head out for a hike. The drive down through Wintergreen Resort feels like a preview of what’s waiting: twisting roads, orange leaves, and that hint of adventure that comes with fall in the Blue Ridge.

Here are five of our favorite hikes nearby — a mix of challenging climbs, hidden waterfalls, and peaceful forest walks. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a week, these are the trails that make you fall in love with the mountains all over again.

1. Upper Shamokin Falls Trail

Distance: 2.9 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead: Wintergreen Resort

If I could pick one trail that captures the feel of Wintergreen, this would be it. It winds through dense forest beside a stream and opens up to a beautiful waterfall tucked into the rocks. The air is cool and earthy, and by the time you reach the falls, you’ll have worked up just enough of a sweat to appreciate the mist. It’s peaceful, photogenic, and the perfect start to any mountain weekend.

2. Humpback Rocks Trail

Distance: 2 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Trailhead: Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 5.8

This trail is short but steep — about a mile up and a mile back — and every step feels like you’re climbing into the sky. The view from the top is one of the best in Virginia: rolling blue ridges as far as you can see. We usually pack a snack, sit on the rocks, and just take it in. Go early or on a weekday if you can; sunrise up here is pure magic

3. Crabtree Falls

Distance: 3.8 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead: Route 56, Montebello

If you love waterfalls, this one’s a must. It’s the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi, and the trail follows the water almost the whole way up. You can stop at several overlooks, each with a slightly different view and plenty of mist in the air. It’s great for families — not too hard, full of photo stops, and absolutely stunning in fall.

4. Paul’s Creek Trail

Distance: 1.2 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Trailhead: Wintergreen Resort

We always recommend this trail for families or anyone who just wants a quiet, short walk. It follows a small creek through the woods and ends at a natural rock pool — perfect for a picnic or just dipping your feet in the water. On warm days, the light filters through the trees in a way that feels almost enchanted.

5. The Appalachian Trail at Reid’s Gap

Distance: Flexible (out and back) Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead: Route 664 near Beech Grove

If you want to feel like you have the forest to yourself, start here. The Reid’s Gap section of the Appalachian Trail climbs steadily through hardwood forest with clearings that open to sweeping ridge views. It’s less traveled than Humpback Rocks but just as beautiful. Pack a light lunch — it’s a wonderful half-day hike.

A Few tips before you go ON ONE OF THESE BLUE RIDGE HIKES VIRGINIA

• Start early: Parking fills fast, especially on weekends

• Bring layers: Mountain weather changes quickly

• Pack water and snacks: Everything tastes better with a view

• Leave no trace: Keep these trails as beautiful as you found them

Whether you’re hiking for an hour or a day, the trails near Wintergreen never disappoint. Every one of them leads to something worth seeing — a view, a waterfall, or just the quiet rhythm of the forest. And when you’re done, there’s nothing better than heading down to Blue Mountain Brewery for a Prosciutto & Arugula pizza, pretzel bites with beer cheese, and my personal favorite — a cold Bold Rock Harvest Apple Cider.