Hiking to a Breathtaking Virginia Sunrise

The heat is steadily rising now that summer is on the way, and outdoor trail adventures become less bearable as the temperatures soar. But if you start your adventure early in the morning, you can avoid the heat and receive another added perk: a beautiful Virginia sunrise. Here are our favorite spots to start the day with an invigorating hike throughout the Commonwealth.

McAfee Knob

Photo Credit: Sam Dean, @sdeanphotos

Known as the most photographed site along the Appalachian Trail, McAffee Knob’s jutting ledge gives you a breathtaking view. The mountain platform overlooking the Catawba Valley, Roanoke Valley, Tinkers Cliffs, and North Mountain. While it is a fairly strenuous hike, there are many rewarding viewpoints on the way up for hikers looking to take in a sunrise.

Hawksbill Mountain

Photo Credit: Skylar Arias Adventures, @skylar_arias_adventures

Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, reaching 4,050 feet. You can reach the trail from parking areas at mileposts 45.6 and 46.7, and from the summit you can catch a peek of Old Rag, which has beautiful views but is a much longer and more difficult trail. The trail lengths are 1.7 for a steep round trip or 2.9 for a more moderate circuit.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Spanning from Virginia’s Eastern Shore up into Maryland for a total of 37 miles, Assateague Island National Seashore marks the farthest east point of Virginia. Swan Cove Trail takes you out onto the beach area, where you may even see a few wild ponies along with your sunrise.

Stony Man Trail

Photo Credit: Joel Mulbah & Alyssa Gilbert, @joelmulbah & @sofearlyss

Stony Man is about a 1.6 mile circuit from milepost 41.7 on Skyline Drive. Hike this moderate trail to reach the summit and get a fantastic view of Shenandoah National Park.

Spy Rock

Photo Credit Thomas Cluderay, @tcluderay

To get to Spy Rock, you’ll walk a little more than a mile to reach the Appalachian Trail from Montebello Fish Hatchery, and then go left at the fork to reach the viewpoint. This is a fairly strenuous climb and involves a little scrambling, but the summit gives you a 360 degree vantage of the sunrise from the rock outcrop.

Peaks of Otter  

Photo credit: Nicholas Moore, @nicholasmoorephoto

Peaks of Otter is actually made up of three total peaks: Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Each peak exposes its own incredible landscape, but most agree that Sharp Top, while not the highest, has the most unencumbered panoramic view. The trail winds for only about 1.5 miles before you reach this sunrise summit, but with an elevation change of 1,340 total feet, it is definitely a more strenuous hike.

Compton Peak

Take Skyline Drive at Compton Gap to reach Compton Peak. The trailhead starts across the road from the parking area at milepost 10.3. This is an easy roundtrip hike of about 2.4 miles with very little elevation change.

Molly’s Knob at Hungry Mother State Park

Photo credit: Chad Williams, @echadwilliams

Molly’s Knob Trail is 1.6 miles but the path is narrow, steep, and difficult. The summit of Molly’s Knob reaches 3,270 feet and is the highest peak in Hungry Mother State Park.

Humpback Rocks

For a short hike to reach an impeccable sunrise spot, head to Humpback Rocks. You can reach the entrance to Mountain Farm Trail, the path that leads to Humpback Rocks, from milepost 5.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This trail extends only a quarter mile through the mountains, making it another great option for beginners.

Buffalo Mountain

Photo Credit: Michael Speed, @photosbyspeed

This is a steep trail of about a mile, but you’ll get a gorgeous view of the sunrise over the Blue Ridge Highlands and Floyd County from the Buffalo Mountain summit.

Breaks Interstate Park

Photo Credit: Sam Dean, @sdeanphotos

Along the border of Virginia and Kentucky, Breaks Interstate Park has 25 miles of trails, but take the Overlook Trail, less than a mile to the vantage point, for the best sunrise view.

Westmoreland State Park

Photo credit: Mike Zorger

This waterfront State Park has seven total trails that cover almost six miles. The new Beach Trail alongside the Potomac River spans less than half a mile and allows hikers to observe the sun rise over the water.

False Cape State Park

Photo Credit: Trevor Frost, @tbfrost

False Cape State Park runs along the Atlantic Ocean on a peninsula south of Virginia Beach. There are 7.5 miles of trails available for hiking and biking, and three trails will take you to an oceanfront sunrise. Hike Barbour Hill Trail for 1.4 miles to reach your sunrise spot. If you are looking for a shorter pathway to your sunrise over the sands, use Wash Woods Trail (0.66 miles) or False Cape Landing Trail (0.7 miles).

While you may have to get up early to make it happen, the view from these outdoor destinations is well worth the lack of sleep. Catch one of nature’s most romantic sights with an early morning hikes along these scenic Virginia trails.