LOCATION: Catawba , VA
TRAIL DISTANCE: 8.3 MILES
TRAIL HEAD / DIRECTIONS : CATAWBA VALLEY DRIVE 
TRAIL TYPE: Loop
TRAIL GRADE:   STRENUOUS (4) 
TRAIL PARKING: 50 spots or less
KEY WORDS: Ages 12+ , Summit Views
TRAIL INFO
What’s to like about the trail: Merges with the AT, easy to navigate, good shade and a holy cow kind of view at the summit.
Why go for a hike on this trail: An iconic summit, its one of the most photographed spots on the AT and in Virginia. It’s a bucket list kind of thing.
Best time to go for a hike on this trail:  All the time.

Summary
​It would be pretty easy to Google this hike and see the thousands of responses. The hike is not a best kept secret, its highly sought after and used so expect population unless you go early in the morning. The trail is well marked and well maintained because its part of the AT. There are two ways to traverse this topology, 1 via the fire road until it breaks left at 3 miles to go to the knob or you can add another 1.4 miles and take the switchback , roller-coaster single-track thru the woods. The latter is good for building your calves. The trail is dirt, some loose rock and typical Virginia forest until you reach the true ascent to the knob. The ascent is difficult, its going to make you take a breather here and there, it has some minor rock outcrops and a few switchbacks. You can do this , why? Because its damn worth it. The knob is a beautiful outcrop of rocks the pierce the forest line to overlook the Catawba Valley.  Get the camera out and watch your step. Retrace your steps back to your car. This trail due to its distance and ascent is not recommended for kids under 10.

 Note: If you are feeling up to it, there are hikes in the same area that form the Virginia Triple Crown. The other two hikes are the Dragons Tooth and Tinker Cliffs. .

HIKE ON!
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