Top 5 Appalachian Trail Day Hikes | AT's Best Hikes | Mt Lafayette | Charlies Bunion | McAfee Knob

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180-mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded and wild lands of the Appalachian Mountains. It extends from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin (kuh·taa·dn) in Maine, passing through 14 states. Conceived in 1921 and completed in 1937, the AT (as it is often known) is the longest hiking-only trail in the world. Each year, thousands of thru-hikers attempt to traverse the entire length in a single season. Only about 1 in 4 finish the daunting task - and effort that typically takes 5 to 7 months. There are, however, more than three million people who hike segments of the trail, tackling day hikes that capture some of the most picturesque scenes on the AT. So, what are the best excursions on this epic trail? These are Cris&Cale’s top 5 day hikes on the famed Appalachian Trail.

CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
01:25 Grayson Highlands
03:54 McAfee Knob & Dragon's Tooth
06:53 Grassy Ridge Bald
09:21 Charlie's Bunion
11:50 Blood Mountain
13:47 Mount Lafayette

5. Massie Gap to Mount Rogers
Tucked away in Virginia’s Appalachian high country is the beautifully diverse Grayson Highlands State Park, home to the Massie Gap parking area and our trailhead. The hike catches a spur to the Appalachian Trail and travels into the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. It crosses over Wilburn Ridge and Pine Mountain on its way to Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia. The region is not only home to these 5,000 foot alpine peaks, but also several bouldering opportunities and mountain meadows that provide a feasting ground to 100+ freely roaming wild ponies.

4. McAfee Knob and Dragons Tooth
Just north of Roanoke, Virginia are a trio of day hikes known as Virginia’s triple crown. McAfee Knob, the first of these hikes, is known as the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail due to the insta-worthy outcroppings found at the destination. It is an extremely popular hike, sometimes making shuttle service a required convenience. It is a true bucket list destination that takes hikers to the top of Catawba Mountain where stunning 270-degree views can be found. A second hike within the triple crown is the Dragon’s Tooth, an aptly named rock formation at the top of Cove Mountain. This is a shorter hike, but it takes a much more challenging route. The uphill climb is strenuous and requires the use of hands and feet to navigate rocky sections near the top. There are iron rungs and stone steps to help you cling to the steep mountain side.

3. Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald
About 200 miles south on the Appalachian Trail from McAfee Knob is Carver’s Gap, a parking area that straddles the Tennessee North Carolina border and is the launching point for hikes in the Roan Mountains. Unlike many of the forest covered areas within the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 5-mile out-and-back takes you through the longest bald the region has to offer. The AT will take you across the Round Bald and Jane Bald summits, but hikers will need to split from the Appalachian Trail to reach the 6,164-foot Grassy Ridge Bald summit. The views are spectacular as they give you a feel of the Swiss Alps right here in the states.

2. Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion
Within the Great Smoky Mountains is the epic hike to Charlie’s Bunion, a trek touted as one the best in the Southeast. From the Newfound Gap parking, hikers take the Appalachian Trail over 6,000-foot elevations as it follows the Tennessee North Carolina state line. There is abundant wildlife, spectacular overlooks, and a small dose of rock climbing available on this adventure. The destination is an exposed rock protrusion that resembled the swollen foot affliction of Charlie Conner, a local mountain guide in the late 1920s. Massive logging of this area after the turn of the century combined with wildfires and rain washouts to create bare rock outcroppings. Today, this feature has resulted in unobstructed views that makes the Bunion unique and one of the best hiking destinations in the eastern United States.

1. Franconia Ridge to Mount Lafayette
Nestled in the Northern Appalachian Mountains of New Hampshire are the beautiful and rugged White Mountains, home to the Franconia Notch State Park and our famed Franconia Ridge Loop. This hike takes you from ample parking up a strenuous 4-mile, 3,500 foot climb, past elegant waterfalls, and eventually to the rugged alpine tundra. It is here that you meet the Appalachian Trail and up-and-down exposed hiking as you traverse the famed knife ridge between three peaks: Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette. This trek combines steep, rocky terrain with a cascading brook and breath-taking panoramic views. Once experienced, there is no question as to why this escapade is listed among the “World’s Best Hikes” according to National Geographic.