VA: 27May-24Jun2005/Days 28-56 

Edited Aug2025 – attaching Chapter 4 Pages 27-44.

AT mileage:  550mi/885km, including 20mi/32km along West Virginia
Days to hike:   29 days

Elevation ranging from 265′ – 5,500′/80 – 1,677m
Difficulty rating: 2 – 6 (scale of 1 – 10)
National Parks – Blue Ridge & Shenandoah (well maintained, excellent for novice hikers)
National Forests – George Washington & Jefferson
Beautiful rhododendron & azalea tunnels
Abundant wildlife
North Virginia – strenuous
Longest AT miles of the trail
Trail towns – Damascus & Linden

The tricky part of the human journey is to transform oneself continually as life directions change – Donna L Friess