A round trip hike to the summit of Cole Mountain requires 5.8 miles of hiking and about 1,500 feet in elevation gain. It’s an intermediate level loop trail that winds through the George Washington National Forest and follows the Hotel Trail (blue blazes) to the Appalachian Trail (white blazes), which leads to the top. The summit of Cole Mountain is bald, meaning there’s plenty of meadowy space for a picnic while hikers rest and prepare for the journey back down. A hike on Cole Mountain can easily be combined with Mount Pleasant, which has equally beautiful views from its summit.

Cole Mountain Parking Area, Vesuvius, Virginia

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