Over the years, I’ve day-hiked most of the AT in SNP, but am biting off a bigger challenge by taking a week to do some section hiking in the state. For you vets out there, your personal opinion, please: which would be a better hike – James River north to Rockfish Gap, or Skyland north to Harpers Ferry?
It’s just a matter of opinion, and I value yours – thanks!
Spike
kenail
Pearisburg to Troutville is a spectacular hike. This includes Dragons Tooth, McAfee’s Knob, Tinkers Cliff and as a bonus “The licking goats” just south of Niday Shelter.
Jeff
If it has to one of those two choices then I’d say James River north to Rockfish Gap.
South Bound Hound
Let’s see…James River to Rockfish Gap: you get quite a bit of elevation, the serenity of Punchbowl shelter, a nice walk across the bald-like Tarjacket ridge, the superlative outlook at Spy Rock, looooong ups and downs, and a nice but rough hike over Three Ridges.
Skyland to Harpers Ferry: Hawksbill and other assorted outlooks, a glut of tourists, pleasantly graded pathways, a possible peacock sighting (no joke!), the tick farm, a section described by Earl Schaffer as having little direction, and the Roller Coaster - a fifteen mile stretch with constant ups and downs.
Tough choice but I think I would have to pick James River to Rockfish gap over the alternative.
Sleepy the Arab
I have hiked the James River to Rockfish Gap route although it was mostly a couple of section hikes. There is some climbing involved when going north in particular. But it is a good hike with plenty of overlooks and such. You cross the Blue Ridge Parkway a few times and it should be a little quieter than farther north. Although it will get a little crowded around Humpback Rocks due to a visitor center nearby. But I can’t commit on the AT after 64 and to Harpers Ferry.
Dale Roberts
I’ve only hiked parts of these sections, but, based on my experience, I would go for the section between the James and Rockfish Gap. It has much more elevation, scenery, and wildlife, and, in all liklihood, substantially fewer tourists.
Ken G.
The section around Mt. Rogers was my favorite …it looked so different than the rest of the trail. It’s craggy and beautiful.
hypatia
– anybody else want to add their two cents worth?