This Hiking Route Has Stunning Fall Foliage Views — and It Leads to the Most Photographed Site on the Appalachian Trail

Fall is in the air, which means that nature is about to put on its final display before winter sets in. And nowhere in the U.S. boasts a more picturesque fall than the East Coast, which is known for its vibrant fall foliage. 

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 is particularly beautiful in fall when the leaves start to turn shades of yellow, orange, and red. The triple crown can be done all at once, throughout a multi-day 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. (Parking at the trailhead is closed until late 2024, but for access information, see the “Parking” section below.)

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 the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail. On a clear day, it provides some of the best views of the Shenandoah Valley.

The next big stop is the Tinker Cliffs, which looks over the Catawba Valley. The third and final major sight on the Virginia Triple Crown is the Dragon’s Tooth, a jutting tooth-like rock formation that is 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 of hiking. 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 7.7 miles in total with significant elevation gain. The cliffs themselves are stunning to see — they’re made of limestone and provide views of the Catawba Mountain and McAfee Knob.

The Dragon’s Tooth is the most difficult of the three segments. It is 4.8 miles in total, 2.4 miles to the tooth and 2.4 miles back, 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

A new pedestrian bridge is being built over Route 311 (Catawba Valley Drive), which will affect parking for full-loop and McAfee Knob hikers through late 2024. Until then, it is recommended that hikers utilize the shuttle, which runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. (A drop-off for Dragon’s Tooth hikers is in the works.) There is limited parking along Old Catawba Road (Route 864) and at the Catawba Sustainability Center.