Grayson Highlands Wilburn Ridge

Wilburn Ridge in Grayson Highlands State Park offers Virginia’s most distinctive hiking experience, with open grass balds, dramatic rock outcrops, and bands of wild ponies grazing against a backdrop of mountain peaks. The trail traverses the ridgeline through terrain that feels more like Scotland than the American South, with 360-degree views, windswept vegetation, and a sense of vast open space rare in the eastern mountains. The ponies, descendants of horses released decades ago, have become the park’s iconic attraction, approaching hikers with curiosity while adding magic to the landscape. The Appalachian Trail crosses the ridge, connecting to Mount Rogers and allowing for extended explorations. This is Virginia hiking at its most scenic and unique.