The Priest

If your just itching to go uphill forever, and by forever I mean for 3,100 ft, get out and climb the Priest. Starting from the Tye River parking lot about 5 miles east of Crabtree Falls, you can get a whole week's workout in without boring yourself at the gym. We summit this mountain very regularly to train for more strenuous hikes abroad. I love the solitude and the challenge. 

Three Ridges

I love hiking in Virginia. We are lucky to live around a two hour drive away from some great hikes along the Blue Ridge. While I would like to be a little closer, I also know that there are a lot of people who can't drive to the mountains for a day or weekend hike. If you live in Virginia or get the chance to visit and are looking for a challenging hike, head on over to the AT. Our favorite loop is Three Ridges.