Details
Features
About this place
The summit of Apple Orchard Mountain is an open bald with great views to the south and west. There is also a large FAA antenna on top-making the mountain easily recognizable from a distance.
The top of Apple Orchard Mountain is easily accessible via the Appalachian Trail. Access the trail at the Sunset Field Overlook at MP 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The concrete path will end shortly and turn into a blue blazed trail. Follow this for 0.25 miles until it intersects the Appalachian Trail. Turn right on the AT, and cross over the forest road. From here it is only a few switchbacks and 1.7 miles to the summit.
Once finished at the summit, simply retrace your steps on the AT and turn left onto the blue-blazed trail to return to the parking area. To make this hike into an 8 mile hike, turn right at the intersection and combine it with the hike to Apple Orchard Falls (https://www.theoutbound.com/virginia/backpacking/hike-to-apple-orchard-falls).
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