Suggestions for Mid-Atlantic Appalachian Mtns

[LukeB]

I just moved to the Washington, DC area and have started to take a look at the peaks around here. It would be nice to come up with a peak bagging list or a list of some more interesting mountains to go hike/climb while I am living here.

I was wondering if people had suggestions for mountains, peak bagging lists, or even backpacking. I'd like to stay relatively close to DC (around 5hrs maximum drive time one-way), but I am willing to make longer trips on occasion. It seems like Old Rag in Shenandoah NP and Spruce Knob in West Virginia are some good mountains to check out. Thank you for any suggestions!

[dpage]

South Beyond 6K. Virginia wilderness area highpoints and peaks, Shenandoah National Park summits would all be a great start in addition to the peaks on the Appalachian trail.

[PaulVee]

We love North Fork Mountain for it's gorgeous views. Also have read good reports on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. If you don't care about peaks but just want views, Maryland Heights and Loudoun Heights in Harpers Ferry are gorgeous as are some of the spots along the AT in Maryland (Weaverton, Annapolis Rocks, High Rock). Hiking Upward is a great site for local hikes.

[TravelingMatt]

You're looking at central VA/WV panhandle/PA if you don't want to make a weekend of it. DC to the Triangle is 4 hours if you're lucky and then to any real mountains in NC another 2½.

[sigepnader]

McAfee Knob in Virginia but you’re really going to need to head to Tennessee/North Carolina for the Southern Sixers.

[lafiurcm]

Shenandoah National Park will be your quickest mountain escape and is gorgeous. There aren't many noteworthy peaks but they're all pretty. Old Rag is a great hike and involves a little scrambling. McAfee Knob is the instagram money shot. Unfortunately, they close the campgrounds in the winter.

-The Southern 6ers aka South Beyond 6000 are a little ways from DC but a good list to keep you busy. My favorites were along the Art Loeb Trail.
-Mt Rogers is the VA high point and is a fun hike with wild ponies.
-Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway are phenomenal drives but break them up over a few trips. It gets a little boring in the Roanoke area.
-Spruce Knob is the WV highpoint. There is a road to the top but you can also hike.
+1 on Harpers Ferry, not so much for hiking but the town is beautiful/historic.

Peakery.com has some pretty good lists on it.

[sigepnader]

Shenandoah National Park will be your quickest mountain escape and is gorgeous. There aren't many noteworthy peaks but they're all pretty. Old Rag is a great hike and involves a little scrambling. McAfee Knob is the instagram money shot. Unfortunately, they close the campgrounds in the winter.

-The Southern 6ers aka South Beyond 6000 are a little ways from DC but a good list to keep you busy. My favorites were along the Art Loeb Trail.
-Mt Rogers is the VA high point and is a fun hike with wild ponies.
-Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway are phenomenal drives but break them up over a few trips. It gets a little boring in the Roanoke area.
-Spruce Knob is the WV highpoint. There is a road to the top but you can also hike.
+1 on Harpers Ferry, not so much for hiking but the town is beautiful/historic.

Peakery.com has some pretty good lists on it.

I second peakery and the Art Loeb. Tennant Mountain/Black Balsam Knob/Sams Knob are some great hikes.

Roan Mountain and Carvers Gap is also great.

[ChrisinAZ]

If you want a good list to keep you busy, try for the 2000-foot prominence peaks of the southeast. Plenty are in Virginia and WNC; the furthest from you would be Brasstown Bald in GA. It's a nice list of 24 peaks, relatively few access issues, and lots of the most iconic mountains in the southeast--many with amazing views!

https://listsofjohn.com/customlists?lid=39

[nyker]

If you wanted to drive another 1-2 hours OR if you drive fast I can suggest lots to do in the Adirondacks! But don't know the area in "mid" Atlantic too well...

[letitbeirie]

There are tons of cool trails along the Blue Ridge and all throughout the mountains between I-81 and West Virginia.

Options nearer to DC that come to mind:
- Billy Goat (especially part A for the scrambling) on the Maryland side of Great Falls
- Sky Meadows is pretty close and has a great view from the top
- Hawksbill in SNP for the views at the top
- Strickler Knob in Luray has a cool scramble and 5% the traffic of Old Rag
- Bull Run in Manassass for an easy dayhike

Give it a month and every trail will have views because of the leaves.