Hiking in Virginia is one of the best ways to experience the state’s scenic and diverse landscape. With so many trails to discover, hikers of all skill levels can enjoy this activity. While there are plenty of advanced hikes for a thrilling adventure, sometimes short and sweet hikes can be just as magical. With that in mind, we’ve compiled this list of the 12 best hikes in Virginia that are all three miles or less.

  1. Scott’s Run Nature Preserve: 2.5 Mile Loop

Fritz Flohr Reynolds/flickr Located just outside of McLean, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve Trail is a popular 2.5-mile loop. The trail is appropriate for hikers of all ages and features a waterfall, historic ruins, river views, and wildflowers during the spring and summer. Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, 7400 VA-193, McLean, VA 22102, USA

  1. Theodore Roosevelt Island: 1.6 Mile Loop

Richard Ricciardi/flickr This brief outer loop is one of the most popular along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington. The park is dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt and the trail features interesting historical tidbits as well as a boardwalk and wooded stretch. For more info about this hike, visit the AllTrails website. Theodore Roosevelt Island Parking, Theodore Roosevelt Island Park, Washington, DC 20001, USA

  1. Dark Hollow Falls: 1.4 Miles Out-And-Back

Joe Shlabotnik/flickr The Dark Hollow Falls trail can be accessed via mile 50.7 along Skyline Drive. While the trek is short, it can be somewhat strenuous on the uphill stretch to the falls. The waterfall is significant and makes for a scenic rest before you turn around and head back to the parking area. Dark Hollow Falls Trailhead, Skyline Dr, Stanley, VA 22851, USA

  1. Molly’s Knob: 3 Mile Loop

Virginia State Parks/flickr Located in Hungry Mother State Park, Molly’s Knob Loop takes approximately 1.6 miles to reach the fantastic overlook photographed above. The trail is moderate in difficulty and also features a scenic lake. Mollys Knob, Virginia 24354, USA

  1. Compton Peak Summit Trail: 2 Mile Out-And-Back

Robert Aberegg/flickr At milepost 10.4 along Skyline Drive, visitors will be able to access the Compton Peak Summit Trail. This trail is steep and sometimes rocky but offers an exquisite view from the top of Compton Peak of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Compton Peak, Virginia 22610, USA

  1. Crabtree Falls: 3 Miles Out-And-Back

jocelyndale/flickr Crabtree Falls is a must-visit for the sheer magnitude of the waterfall. In fact, it’s the longest cascading falls east of the Mississippi. The best part about Crabtree is the opportunity to hike up alongside the falls. Reaching the base of the upper falls takes 1.5 miles of steady incline, but the view is well worth it. Just be sure to stick to the marked trail, as the surrounding area can become dangerously slick. Crabtree Falls, Virginia 22976, USA

  1. Stony Man Mountain Trail: 1.4 Mile Loop

bky21/TripAdvisor Located near Luray at Skyline Drive milepost 41.7, the Stony Man Mountain Trail is a moderately difficult 1.4-mile loop. The trail leads to a gorgeous vantage point where you’ll enjoy a spectacular panoramic view. Stony Man, Virginia 22835, USA

  1. Spy Rock: 3 Miles Out-And-Back

Christina Harrison/AllTrials The Spy Rock Trail is located just outside of Montebello, Virginia. The climb to the top is a straight shot, and therefore can be a challenging 1.5 miles, but the view at the top will all be worth it. That, and the fact that the trek back is all downhill. Spy Rock, Virginia 22976, USA

  1. Humpback Rocks Trail: 1.6 Miles Out-And-Back

Jessica Myers/AllTrails The Humpback Rocks hike is a very short one, but the climb upwards can be quite strenuous. There’s no need to rush, though, and there are even a few benches along the way where hikers can stop and rest to enjoy the view. The top of the hike is characterized by a bit of a scramble for anyone daring enough to climb to the top of the rocks for the view. Spoiler alert: it’s worth it! Humpback Rocks, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Lyndhurst, VA 22952, USA

  1. Bluebell Trail: 1.8 Mile Loop

Appalachian dreamer/flickr Tucked away near Bentonville at Bull Run Regional Park, the Bluebell Trail is a gorgeous forested loop that features these delicate wildflowers during the spring. The hike also features Bull Run and a smaller tributary Cub Run. Bluebell Trail, Unnamed Road, Centreville, VA 20121, USA

  1. Union Mill Trail: 2.8 Mile Loop

Michael Smith/AllTrails Located in the Hemlock Overlook Regional Park of northern Virginia, this particular loop offers a beautiful trail following alongside a stream. Depending on the time of year, this trail also may feature beautiful wildflowers. For more info about the hike, check out the Union Mill Trail in more detail. Bull Run-Occoquan Trail Yates Ford Road Trailhead, 13249-13267 Yates Ford Rd, Clifton, VA 20124, USA

  1. Bald Cypress Trail: 1.6 Mile Loop

Alan Bourne/AllTrails Tucked away in First Landing State Park, you’ll find the 1.6-mile Bald Cypress Trail. Though brief, this trek offers an impressive amount of wildlife, including swamplands. For added activity, hikers can continue on to the High Dunes Trail. Bald Cypress Trail, 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, USA

While these trails offer a variety of terrain and landscape, they only scratch the surface of the beautiful and accessible trails here in Virginia. We’d love to hear from you if any of your favorite short and sweet hikes might have missed the list!

Fritz Flohr Reynolds/flickr

Located just outside of McLean, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve Trail is a popular 2.5-mile loop. The trail is appropriate for hikers of all ages and features a waterfall, historic ruins, river views, and wildflowers during the spring and summer.

Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, 7400 VA-193, McLean, VA 22102, USA

Richard Ricciardi/flickr

This brief outer loop is one of the most popular along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington. The park is dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt and the trail features interesting historical tidbits as well as a boardwalk and wooded stretch. For more info about this hike, visit the AllTrails website.

Theodore Roosevelt Island Parking, Theodore Roosevelt Island Park, Washington, DC 20001, USA

Joe Shlabotnik/flickr

The Dark Hollow Falls trail can be accessed via mile 50.7 along Skyline Drive. While the trek is short, it can be somewhat strenuous on the uphill stretch to the falls. The waterfall is significant and makes for a scenic rest before you turn around and head back to the parking area.

Dark Hollow Falls Trailhead, Skyline Dr, Stanley, VA 22851, USA

Virginia State Parks/flickr

Located in Hungry Mother State Park, Molly’s Knob Loop takes approximately 1.6 miles to reach the fantastic overlook photographed above. The trail is moderate in difficulty and also features a scenic lake.

Mollys Knob, Virginia 24354, USA

Robert Aberegg/flickr

At milepost 10.4 along Skyline Drive, visitors will be able to access the Compton Peak Summit Trail. This trail is steep and sometimes rocky but offers an exquisite view from the top of Compton Peak of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

Compton Peak, Virginia 22610, USA

jocelyndale/flickr

Crabtree Falls is a must-visit for the sheer magnitude of the waterfall. In fact, it’s the longest cascading falls east of the Mississippi. The best part about Crabtree is the opportunity to hike up alongside the falls. Reaching the base of the upper falls takes 1.5 miles of steady incline, but the view is well worth it. Just be sure to stick to the marked trail, as the surrounding area can become dangerously slick.

Crabtree Falls, Virginia 22976, USA

bky21/TripAdvisor

Located near Luray at Skyline Drive milepost 41.7, the Stony Man Mountain Trail is a moderately difficult 1.4-mile loop. The trail leads to a gorgeous vantage point where you’ll enjoy a spectacular panoramic view.

Stony Man, Virginia 22835, USA

Christina Harrison/AllTrials

The Spy Rock Trail is located just outside of Montebello, Virginia. The climb to the top is a straight shot, and therefore can be a challenging 1.5 miles, but the view at the top will all be worth it. That, and the fact that the trek back is all downhill.

Spy Rock, Virginia 22976, USA

Jessica Myers/AllTrails

The Humpback Rocks hike is a very short one, but the climb upwards can be quite strenuous. There’s no need to rush, though, and there are even a few benches along the way where hikers can stop and rest to enjoy the view. The top of the hike is characterized by a bit of a scramble for anyone daring enough to climb to the top of the rocks for the view. Spoiler alert: it’s worth it!

Humpback Rocks, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Lyndhurst, VA 22952, USA

Appalachian dreamer/flickr

Tucked away near Bentonville at Bull Run Regional Park, the Bluebell Trail is a gorgeous forested loop that features these delicate wildflowers during the spring. The hike also features Bull Run and a smaller tributary Cub Run.

Bluebell Trail, Unnamed Road, Centreville, VA 20121, USA

Michael Smith/AllTrails

Located in the Hemlock Overlook Regional Park of northern Virginia, this particular loop offers a beautiful trail following alongside a stream. Depending on the time of year, this trail also may feature beautiful wildflowers. For more info about the hike, check out the Union Mill Trail in more detail.

Bull Run-Occoquan Trail Yates Ford Road Trailhead, 13249-13267 Yates Ford Rd, Clifton, VA 20124, USA

Alan Bourne/AllTrails

Tucked away in First Landing State Park, you’ll find the 1.6-mile Bald Cypress Trail. Though brief, this trek offers an impressive amount of wildlife, including swamplands. For added activity, hikers can continue on to the High Dunes Trail.

Bald Cypress Trail, 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, USA

Which scenic hikes in Virginia are your favorites? What do you think are the best hikes in Virginia? Let us know in the comments section. We look forward to reading your responses.

Looking for more easy hikes in Virginia? Check out this list of 11 easy hikes that are great for the whole family.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Virginia April 07, 2022 Luke What are the best road trips to take in Virginia?  The State of Virginia is simply gorgeous with its natural wonder and mountainous regions. For spectacular views of the mountains of Virginia, cruise along Skyline Drive. Moving through Shenandoah National Park, the 106-mile journey provides more than 70 overlooks that are perfect for savoring the pristine Shenandoah Valley. Another terrific option is the Scenic Route 211 Wine Trail, perfect for all of the wine lovers out there! Looking for more road trip options in Virginia? Check out this article with eight must-take road trips in Virginia. What is the best waterfall to visit in Virginia? What is better than a gorgeous, cascading waterfall? We certainly can’t think of anything! In Virginia, there are several stunning falls that are hiding in plain sight and that do not require any hiking to see. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll find Crabtree Falls, which simply cannot be missed. Another worthwhile waterfall to visit is Maymont Waterfall. These falls are located in enchanting Japanese gardens. Also, check out Great Falls National Park for awesome views of the Potomac River. Is Virginia a great place to live? If you’re still looking for reasons to fall in love with Virginia, we’ll give you some more! Virginia’s state motto is, “Virginia Is For Lovers,” and has been used as a tourism campaign slogan in the past. Virginia is the perfect state for anyone who loves literature, art, culture, people, history, wining and dining, nature, hiking, and cycling! If you’re looking for a place that will give you all four seasons of the year, then Virginia is your place. There are countless fun things to do throughout the year including day trips to the beach, mountain hikes, fabulous restaurant scene, local stores, historic landmarks, and so much more!

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Virginia

April 07, 2022

Luke

What are the best road trips to take in Virginia?  The State of Virginia is simply gorgeous with its natural wonder and mountainous regions. For spectacular views of the mountains of Virginia, cruise along Skyline Drive. Moving through Shenandoah National Park, the 106-mile journey provides more than 70 overlooks that are perfect for savoring the pristine Shenandoah Valley. Another terrific option is the Scenic Route 211 Wine Trail, perfect for all of the wine lovers out there! Looking for more road trip options in Virginia? Check out this article with eight must-take road trips in Virginia. What is the best waterfall to visit in Virginia? What is better than a gorgeous, cascading waterfall? We certainly can’t think of anything! In Virginia, there are several stunning falls that are hiding in plain sight and that do not require any hiking to see. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll find Crabtree Falls, which simply cannot be missed. Another worthwhile waterfall to visit is Maymont Waterfall. These falls are located in enchanting Japanese gardens. Also, check out Great Falls National Park for awesome views of the Potomac River. Is Virginia a great place to live? If you’re still looking for reasons to fall in love with Virginia, we’ll give you some more! Virginia’s state motto is, “Virginia Is For Lovers,” and has been used as a tourism campaign slogan in the past. Virginia is the perfect state for anyone who loves literature, art, culture, people, history, wining and dining, nature, hiking, and cycling! If you’re looking for a place that will give you all four seasons of the year, then Virginia is your place. There are countless fun things to do throughout the year including day trips to the beach, mountain hikes, fabulous restaurant scene, local stores, historic landmarks, and so much more!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The State of Virginia is simply gorgeous with its natural wonder and mountainous regions. For spectacular views of the mountains of Virginia, cruise along Skyline Drive. Moving through Shenandoah National Park, the 106-mile journey provides more than 70 overlooks that are perfect for savoring the pristine Shenandoah Valley. Another terrific option is the Scenic Route 211 Wine Trail, perfect for all of the wine lovers out there! Looking for more road trip options in Virginia? Check out this article with eight must-take road trips in Virginia.

What is the best waterfall to visit in Virginia?

What is better than a gorgeous, cascading waterfall? We certainly can’t think of anything! In Virginia, there are several stunning falls that are hiding in plain sight and that do not require any hiking to see. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll find Crabtree Falls, which simply cannot be missed. Another worthwhile waterfall to visit is Maymont Waterfall. These falls are located in enchanting Japanese gardens. Also, check out Great Falls National Park for awesome views of the Potomac River.

Is Virginia a great place to live?

If you’re still looking for reasons to fall in love with Virginia, we’ll give you some more! Virginia’s state motto is, “Virginia Is For Lovers,” and has been used as a tourism campaign slogan in the past. Virginia is the perfect state for anyone who loves literature, art, culture, people, history, wining and dining, nature, hiking, and cycling! If you’re looking for a place that will give you all four seasons of the year, then Virginia is your place. There are countless fun things to do throughout the year including day trips to the beach, mountain hikes, fabulous restaurant scene, local stores, historic landmarks, and so much more!