whitetop mountain

Driving on Rt 600 in SW VA, you'll come to the entrance for Whitetop Mountain. This is the 2nd highest peak in the state of VA (behind Mt. Rogers which is Whitetop's next door neighbor). The road up is rugged but accessible by any vehicle. As you climb out of the forest area the beautiful vistas will start to open up. The higher you go the more beautiful it gets. We went up with family and friends to view the fireworks on 4th of July. The best part was ALL of the locations you could see setting them off. That night was particularly cold (it was 48 degrees by the time the fireworks ended) and windy (this mountain is usually quite breezy). I do suggest having a light jacket no matter what time of year. Go up for a sunset . . . you won't regret it . . . but PLEASE take out any trash as there are no trashcans.

Whitetop Mountain is the second highest peak in Virginia, standing at over 5,500 feet elevation and located near to its sister peak, Mount Rogers, which is the highest point in the state. Whitetop Mountain, however, has the distinction of having the highest roadway in Virginia ... so it is worth the drive on the gravel road up to the top....there are great views from several vantage points along the way. From Grayson Highlands State Park (west of Marion on Route 58) continue on 58 west to Route 600, Turn right on Rt. 600 and follow it north for 1.6 miles to the left turn onto Forest Road 89 at the white sign, heading to Whitetop Mountain. Follow this road for 1.6 miles to the top of Whitetop Mountain.While you are there you can also hike on a section of the famous Appalachian Trail, which runs right along the parking lot. You might also be glad to know that there is a pit toilet outhouse built of heavy duty reinforced concrete in case you don't care to dig a cat hole of your own 50 feet or more off the AT....and yes, the outhouse has lots of TP!If you are so inclined to riding horses, you can either trailer or ride your steed along the separate trails for such animals. You will be rewarded with 50 mile views and lots of wildflowers to enjoy in season. Whitetop Mountain is also a great spot just to sit quietly and listen to the wind ... bring a blanket and have a picnic, too. No water is available, so be sure to bring some along.... also bring bug repellent spray and sunscreen because you are at a relatively high elevation ..... above all, don't forget your camera!Whitetop Mountain forms the juncture of Virginia's Smyth, Grayson, and Washington Counties, so it is a common point for these geographic areas....you can stand in three counties at once if you can find the survey marker! (We weren't.) Regardless of transient man-made structures like roads and outhouses, you will feel like it is almost Heaven on Whitetop Mountain!

Pretty decent road to the top of the mountain. The views are breathtaking. Wildflowers everywhere. Definitely worth the ten minute drive to the top.

We drove up to Whitetop Mountain to get a good view of the area. It's only about 20 minutes from where we were staying at Amanda's Hideaway in Whitetop. First, we drove past the turn we were supposed to take. If you know what you're looking for you won't miss it though, there is a big white sign on the gravel road where you turn. Don't miss it! The drive to the top isn't bad. There are a few spots to stop along the way, but make it all the way to the top it's the best view. It was a little cloudy on the day we went, but the view was still fantastic!

Long dirt road to get there but the view is top shelf. the natural bolds let you see forever. The Appalachian Trail runs right by the Parking lot.

What a way to spend Christmas Day is to be out in nature, a home packed meal, and cameras and beautiful frozen and snow covered pines. Every Christmas Day we pick a different place to have a picnic and the object is to find snow. In the past 13 years we have only once not found snow. It was seasonally warm that year and we drove hoping to find just a handful. Our score is going good and we have awesome pictures.