Discover the Highest Point in Virginia

Written by Dayva Segal
Updated: September 3, 2023
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The Blue Ridge Mountain Range, part of the Appalachians, runs through the beautiful state of Virginia. There are many peaks in the state that hikers love to explore. But what is the highest point in Virginia?

Infographic of Mount Rogers
The Mount Rogers area, “The Rooftop of Virginia”, contains the second-highest peak, Whitetop Mountain.

Mount Rogers: The Highest Point in Virginia

Mount Rogers Virginia

Mount Rogers is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National forests.

©Gabriel Quiles/Shutterstock.com

While there are many beautiful peaks, Mount Rogers takes the number one place as the highest. It is 5,729 feet high. While it is not that high compared to states such as Colorado, which have multiple 14,000-foot peaks to scale, it is still an accomplishment to bag this peak and results in beautiful views from afar.

Mount Rogers is a part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The mountain and the surrounding area make up the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. There are more than 500 miles of hiking trails in the area, including more than 75 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the area.

The nickname for the area is “The Rooftop of Virginia” because it contains not only the first-highest peak but the second highest as well. Whitetop Mountain is the state’s second-place peak at 5,520 feet high.

Where Is Mount Rogers Located on a Map?

Mount Rogers is located to the southwest of Sugar Grove and Troutdale with the latter being a key stop for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. It is also located to the northwest of Volney and the northeast of Whitetop, which draws its name from the state’s second smallest mountain, Whitetop.

How to Get There

Want to see Mount Rogers up close? The area is a great place to enjoy nature. If you’re driving from the south or east, you can access the area from US Route 58. From the north, you can use VA 16, and from the east, VA 94. There is a visitor’s center on route 16.

How to Hike to the Top of Mount Rogers

Mount Rogers Virginia

The hike to the top of Mount Rogers is about nine miles.

©Rui Serra Maia/Shutterstock.com

If you want to take an intrepid journey to Virginia’s highest peak, your journey will start in Grayson Highlands State Park. The hike is nine miles in total and is an out-and-back hike, meaning you will hike in and out along the same trails. Along the way, you may see wild ponies. Like any wild animals, you should not feed them, even though they are friendly.

After starting your hike in the state park, you’ll join the section of the Appalachian Trail that leads to a different trail to summit the mountain. The weather can change quickly here. You may encounter all sorts of terrain including muddy spots and slippery rock scrambles so it’s important to be prepared for anything with a rain jacket, proper shoes, and some snacks. Some hikers say that the views on the way up to the peak are just as impressive as those at the top!

Other Things to Do in the Area

If hiking to the peak of Mount Rogers is not enough adventure for you, there are plenty of other activities in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. There are shorter or easier hikes that highlight different aspects of the park. For example, the Comers Creek Falls hike is only 1.2 miles and leads to a waterfall.

If hiking is not your thing, mountain biking is also an option. There are more flat options for beginners and hillier options for those who want more of a challenge. The park has two rail trails, which are great for road bikes or hybrid bikes. The Virginia Creeper Trail is mostly downhill and can even be enjoyed by kids.

The park also has several lakes and streams for fishing. Brown trout and rainbow trout are popular catches here.

While you’re not allowed to feed the wild ponies, you can ride your own horse here on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, an 80-mile stretch of trail open to horseback riders. Many of the other trails in the park are also open to horseback riders.

If you want to stay the night, camping is available for tent and RV campers in eight different campgrounds in the park. Be sure to check out the specific campground that interests you to find out if they take reservations and any requirements they have for bookings.

Other High Points in Virginia

Haw Orchard Mountain

Haw Orchard mountain is 5,080 feet high.

©Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0 – License

After Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, there are several other peaks between 4,000 and 5,000 feet high in the same mountain range in Virginia.

3. Haw Orchard Mountain: 5,080 feet

4. Stone Mountain: 4,940 feet

5. Bluff Mountain: 4,840 feet

6. Balsalm Beartown Mountain: 4,710 feet

7. Beartown Mountain: 4,689 feet

8. Buck Mountain: 4,670 feet

9. Grave Mountain: 4,640 feet

10. Round Top: 4,626 feet

Intrepid hikers in the state love to see how many of the tallest peaks they can get under their belt, including the highest point in Virginia!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Gabriel Quiles/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Dayva is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering astrology, animals, and geography. She has over 12 years of experience as a writer, and graduated from Hofstra University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Music and a Minor in French. She has also completed course work in Core Strengths Coaching, Hypnotherapy, and Technical Communication. Dayva lives in the SF Bay Area with her cute but very shy cat, Tula.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is the tallest peak in Virginia?

Mount Rogers is the highest peak in Virginia.

How tall is Mount Rogers in Virginia?

Mount Rogers in Virginia is 5729 feet high.

What is the second highest peak in Virginia?

The second-highest peak in Virginia is Whitetop Mountain.

How tall is Whitetop Mountain in Virginia?

Whitetop Mountain in Virginia is 5520 feet high.

Where is Mount Rogers?

Mount Rogers is in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. It is also part of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. It can be accessed from the south via US Route 58, from the north via VA 16, and from the east via VA 94.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Virginia Tourism Corporation, Available here: https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/outdoors/national-forests-and-recreation-areas/mount-rogers-national-recreation-area/
  2. Peakbagger, Available here: https://www.peakbagger.com/List.aspx?lid=-927778&cid=2851
  3. Virginia Trail Guide, Available here: https://virginiatrailguide.com/2009/10/17/mount-rogers/#:~:text=The%20summit%20of%20Mount%20Rogers,crosses%20into%20Jefferson%20National%20Forest.