Virginia Highlands HT, Cabin Ridge and AT

Type of Outing: Hike
When: SAT 5/16/2026 9:00 AM
Signup Deadline: 5/14/2026 5:00 pm
Leader: Nicole Mazgaj
Distance: 10 miles
Difficulty: R-31, Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1600 ft.
Description: After a short but relatively harsh winter for our part of the world, we are all ready to enjoy the glory of spring, and to return to the magnificence of the Mt Rogers area in southern Virginia. As many of you know by now, this is the type of hike some folks love (I obviously do) and others won’t touch with a 10-foot pole. For those of you who have never done it, here is why. Although a good portion of the loop covers familiar trails that crisscross the whole Mt Rogers area, such as the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse trail, it also takes us on a fairly wide detour on the boggy, wet, and rocky Cabin Ridge trail. It is a beautiful trail, shaded by rhododendron and mountain laurel groves, gradually ascending through a rain-forest-like environment toward Deep Gap, where it finally emerges to stunning panoramic views of the surrounding range; but navigating it offers its challenges, especially after a period of rain. If you are ok with getting your boots wet and caked with mud, and hopping here and there to navigate a sea of small and not so small pebbles, you will find this hike very moderate in terms of distance and elevation gain. And you will be surrounded by beauty the whole way. I recommend poles on this hike as there is a fairly significant stream crossing. NOTE: Because this is a wilderness area, I have limited the number of participants to 15. PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE BY THE REQUIRED DEADLINE AND I WILL PROMPTLY GET BACK TO YOU WITH MEETNG PLACE AND TIME OPTIONS.
Max Participants: 15