Situated in the Southwestern region of Virginia is Roanoke. Perhaps not the biggest hub for Virginia tourism and lacking in some of the more famous historical points of interest, Roanoke is bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalacian Trail, and the Shenadoah Valley all of which boasts beautiful scenery and outdoor recreational activities.

Today’s adventure led me to a hike, specifically the Dragon’s Tooth Hike along the Appalacian Trail.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply The A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States, extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately 2,178　miles long. The path is maintained by thirty trail clubs and multiple partnershipsThe majority of the trail is in wilderness, although some portions do traverse towns and roads, and cross rivers.

Along the way, the trail passes through the states of Georgia North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. An extension, the International Appalachian Trail, continues north into Canada and to the end of the range, where it enters the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail form the Triple Crown of long distance hiking in the United States.

Unfortunately, my time in Virginia only allowed me a short hike on the Appalacian Trail but I’m happy to say that at least I’ve hike part of this historic trail.

The part I hiked is named the Dragon’s Tooth Hike outside of Roanoke toward Blackburg, Virginia. The Dragon’s Tooth is an aptly named rock monolith of Tuscarora quartzite straddling Craig and Roanoke Counties just west of Catawba, VA. It stands out on it’s own at the top of Cove Mountain. It's as popular a hike as its’ nearby neighbor, McAfee Knob, with one difference, sweat! McAfee Knob is a walk in the park compared to this tough short hike.

The first mile and half was very scenic and laid back. We crossed the creek/creek bed about 7-8 times on a steady but easy climb to the intersection of the white blazed Appalachian Trail (A.T.) It is sort of “in between” seasons so there was no foliage to really speak of but I imagine this would be beautiful during spring, fall, or even a snow covered winters day.

At this point the fun begins!! The next 0.7 miles is one of the toughest parts of the A.T. that I hiked. The trail becomes very rocky, climbing multiple series of rock steps, the trail seemingly clinging to the edge of the mountain at times, near the top at two different places you will use a series of u-shaped iron bar steps embedded in the rock due to the steepness of the trail, and a few overlooks to give you a breather prior to reaching the intersection of the blue blazed Dragon’s Tooth Spur Trail. I could not imagine doing this hike with a 35 pound backpack. I was not well prepared as it was I didn’t have any water!!

We finally made it to the top of the Dragon’s tooth with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Roanoke Valley. But what goes up…must come down and coming down proved to be just as difficult due to the clinging to rocks, scaling ledges all while looking down steep terrain!! The hike back down took just as long and was 5 miles round trip. The weather could not have been more beautiful for a hike! If you are wanting a sample of the Appalacian trail and want a strenuous hike I highly recommend this trail.

After the long strenuous hike, dinner called at a Chinese Buffet in Roanoke! Until tomorrows adventures….