Silhouette of a hiker with a backpack walking against a sunset sky, with hills and clouds in the background.

Conquer Virginia's Triple Crown

Conquer the Crown This Fall!
Head off to breathtaking autumn views—today is the day! The mountains are calling, so lace up your boots and embrace the season.

The stunning scenic peaks of McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragon’s Tooth are at their most magical in the fall, framed by fiery foliage and crisp mountain air. All three iconic hikes are just a short drive from your home base at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.

Come be a trailblazer this season and cross Virginia's Triple Crown off your hiking bucket list—autumn has never looked so inviting!

The image shows a tall, jagged rock formation surrounded by greenery, with a blue sky and fluffy clouds in the background.
Rolling green hills under a colorful sunset sky with a mix of pink, orange, and blue hues, featuring distant mountains and scattered rural homes.

Dragon's Tooth

The first of the three legs in the hallowed Triple Crown hike, Dragon’s Tooth offers an excellent introduction to the region’s terrain. A unique geologic feature consisting of spires projecting up to 35 feet from the surrounding rock, the hike is a 4.6-mile round trip to the top and back to the parking lot on Route 311, with the first 1.5 miles of well-marked trail wandering along bubbling streams and thick forest. The remaining 0.8 miles to the summit kicks things up a notch. This ascent includes bouldering and a portion with iron bars to climb, but at the end you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Tinker Cliffs

Of the three hikes in the Triple Crown, Tinker Cliffs is often considered an overlooked gem. The hike is accessed via the Andy Layne Trail, which begins off of Catawba Road/Route 779. It’s a 7.7-mile round-trip with a 2000-foot elevation, so be sure to get a good night’s sleep before this taking on this hike. The cliffs themselves stand at 3000 feet and give you an unparalleled view of the sprawling Blue Ridge Mountains, including Catawba Mountain and McAfee Knob. Be sure to take a close look at these natural beauties as you go—they’re composed of limestone that dates back over 250 million years. - Backpacker.com

A vast mountain landscape with a rocky cliff edge overlooking a valley, under a sky filled with clouds and sunlight breaking through, ending the sentence.

Mcafee Knob

Amazing for a sunrise hike, McAfee Knob affords a 270-degree view of the Catawba Valley far below and has been called the most photographed spot along the Appalachian Trail. The trailhead for McAfee Knob is just four miles from Dragon’s Tooth on Route 311 and leads hikers to one of the most iconic and well-photographed points along the Appalachian Trail. The 4.4-mile trail winds up Catawba Mountain to an elevation of 3,197 feet, making it a rewarding but challenging 8.8-mile round trip. The knob itself, with its recognizable rock lip jutting out into the air, boasts expansive views of the Catawba Valley and the mountains that surround it. This broad rock slab is a popular spot to break for a picnic, so feel free to spend some time at the summit and enjoy the view. - Backpacker.com

The image shows a tall, jagged rock formation surrounded by greenery, with a blue sky and fluffy clouds in the background.

Dragon's Tooth

The first of the three legs in the hallowed Triple Crown hike, Dragon’s Tooth offers an excellent introduction to the region’s terrain. A unique geologic feature consisting of spires projecting up to 35 feet from the surrounding rock, the hike is a 4.6-mile round trip to the top and back to the parking lot on Route 311, with the first 1.5 miles of well-marked trail wandering along bubbling streams and thick forest. The remaining 0.8 miles to the summit kicks things up a notch. This ascent includes bouldering and a portion with iron bars to climb, but at the end you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Rolling green hills under a colorful sunset sky with a mix of pink, orange, and blue hues, featuring distant mountains and scattered rural homes.

Tinker Cliffs

Of the three hikes in the Triple Crown, Tinker Cliffs is often considered an overlooked gem. The hike is accessed via the Andy Layne Trail, which begins off of Catawba Road/Route 779. It’s a 7.7-mile round-trip with a 2000-foot elevation, so be sure to get a good night’s sleep before this taking on this hike. The cliffs themselves stand at 3000 feet and give you an unparalleled view of the sprawling Blue Ridge Mountains, including Catawba Mountain and McAfee Knob. Be sure to take a close look at these natural beauties as you go—they’re composed of limestone that dates back over 250 million years. - Backpacker.com

A vast mountain landscape with a rocky cliff edge overlooking a valley, under a sky filled with clouds and sunlight breaking through, ending the sentence.

Mcafee Knob

Amazing for a sunrise hike, McAfee Knob affords a 270-degree view of the Catawba Valley far below and has been called the most photographed spot along the Appalachian Trail. The trailhead for McAfee Knob is just four miles from Dragon’s Tooth on Route 311 and leads hikers to one of the most iconic and well-photographed points along the Appalachian Trail. The 4.4-mile trail winds up Catawba Mountain to an elevation of 3,197 feet, making it a rewarding but challenging 8.8-mile round trip. The knob itself, with its recognizable rock lip jutting out into the air, boasts expansive views of the Catawba Valley and the mountains that surround it. This broad rock slab is a popular spot to break for a picnic, so feel free to spend some time at the summit and enjoy the view. - Backpacker.com

Parking at Trailheads

Schedule and plan your hikes responsibly. The Triple Crown features three of the most popular hikes in Virginia, which can lead to issues with overcrowding in the parking lots. Remember to park only in designated parking lots - cars parked along the side of the road and in undesignated areas will be towed.

Leave No Trace

Please adhere to Leave No Trace principles to help ensure the Virginia Triple Crown remains an enjoyable hiking experience for locals and visitors for years to come.

Plan Ahead & Prepare, Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces, Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What You Find, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife

A person is sprinkling powder over a cocktail in a martini glass at a bar, focusing on precise presentation.
Two people are lying on massage tables outdoors, looking relaxed, with greenery in the background, suggesting a spa or relaxation setting.

Adventures Then Cocktails

After time spent on the trails, return back to base camp and unwind! Dining is essential to making travel memorable and The Grand Old Lady has cultivated its restaurants to become an integral part of the unique Virginia Blue Ridge Experience

Just What You'll Need!

After a rewarding day exploring Virginia’s scenic trails, unwind with a soothing foot soak at The Spa at Hotel Roanoke. Thoughtfully prepared by our skilled therapists upon your arrival, each soak is presented in a hand-hammered copper bowl and infused with ancient natural minerals, aromatic essential oils, and nourishing ingredients—including a touch of Blue Ridge Mountain salt.

Give your feet the care they deserve before heading back out to conquer Virginia’s Triple Crown!

Learn more

A person is sprinkling powder over a cocktail in a martini glass at a bar, focusing on precise presentation.

Adventures Then Cocktails

After time spent on the trails, return back to base camp and unwind! Dining is essential to making travel memorable and The Grand Old Lady has cultivated its restaurants to become an integral part of the unique Virginia Blue Ridge Experience

Two people are lying on massage tables outdoors, looking relaxed, with greenery in the background, suggesting a spa or relaxation setting.

Just What You'll Need!

After a rewarding day exploring Virginia’s scenic trails, unwind with a soothing foot soak at The Spa at Hotel Roanoke. Thoughtfully prepared by our skilled therapists upon your arrival, each soak is presented in a hand-hammered copper bowl and infused with ancient natural minerals, aromatic essential oils, and nourishing ingredients—including a touch of Blue Ridge Mountain salt.

Give your feet the care they deserve before heading back out to conquer Virginia’s Triple Crown!

Learn more