This trail is not for the weary!
The Dragon’s Tooth Trail is a fun but very challenging section of the Appalachian Trail near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.
The 5.5-mile, out-and-back trail features rocky ascents and four-point scrambles that lead you to a rocky outcropping with a 35-foot-tall “tooth” on top of Cove Mountain. At the top, you’ll enjoy gorgeous views of the surrounding region, making the effort worthwhile.
If you’re thinking about hiking to Dragon’s Tooth, the guide below has everything you need to know. So, let’s plan your next adventure!
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A Challenging Trail
The trail to Dragon’s Tooth is about 2.6 miles to the summit, which doesn’t sound too bad except that the last mile of the trail includes several rocky ascents and 4-point scrambles.
If you are not used to rock scrambles, this trail will be hard for you. If you’re an avid hiker, you might consider this trail on the harder side of moderate. Regardless, it’s fun, and the views from the top are worth the effort.
Multiple Options to the Dragon’s Tooth
There are two different trails you can take from the Dragon’s Tooth trailhead parking lot to reach the summit.
First, which is the way we went, take the Dragon’s Tooth trail about 1.7 miles to connect with the Appalachian Trail. From there, follow the Appalachian Trail to the summit.
Another option is to follow the Dragon’s Tooth Trail about 2/10 mile to the Boy Scout Trail and then connect to the Appalachian Trail. Many people will do this trail in reverse from the summit to form a loop. We did not hike along this portion of the Appalachian Trail, so I cannot comment on the difficulty. I’ve read reviews that there are pretty views along the way.
Virginia’s Triple Crown
Virginia’s Triple Crown is a popular hiking challenge near Roanoke and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It includes three sections of the Appalachian Trail that can be completed as a 32-mile loop or hiked individually. The sections include Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs.
Prepare For Your Hike to Dragon’s Tooth
Parking
The parking lot for Dragon’s Tooth Trail is located on Catawba Valley Drive (VA-311) in Catawba, VA. The lot holds about two dozen cars. We arrived just after 10 am on July 4th and easily found a spot. I could see it being much busier during the late summer/early fall, so plan to arrive early.
Amenities
There are two vault (pit) toilets next to the parking lot. There is also a small gas station and mini-mart just down Catawba Valley Drive. We treated ourselves to some ice cream bars after the hike!
Water
Bring more water than you think you’ll need. Especially if doing this trail in the summertime.
This is a tough trail. We brought the amount of water we would usually need on a hike this long, and we all ran out of water before the end of the trail (we were very grateful for the mini-mart near the trailhead to purchase water and Gatorade before our drive back to the hotel). Consider bringing a water bladder for a larger supply.
Limited Cellular Service
We had no cell service at the parking lot for Dragon’s Tooth. However, about halfway through the trail, our service returned. It’s a good idea to grab a photo of the map at the trailhead, just in case.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on the Dragon’s Tooth Trail. However, it may be difficult for them to ascend or descend some parts of the trail. We met two corgis and their owners at the summit, and they stated they had to lift the dogs over some of the rock scrambles.
Wildlife
As always, you should be aware of any wildlife, including poisonous snakes and black bears. We saw a black bear running up the mountain (away from the trail) as we were hiking. Keep your distance from all wildlife!
Winter Hiking
If you choose to hike this trail in winter, be extremely cautious. There are several rocky sections and stone steps along the trail that could be very dangerous if there is snow or ice on the trail. Wear ice spikes or crampons and use hiking poles.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Remember, as you visit this park, to respect nature. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.
As these destinations become increasingly popular, it is essential that we remain diligent in keeping our parks and lands clean and safe for all. You can learn more here.
Hike to the Dragon’s Tooth Along the Dragon’s Tooth Trail
| Trail Location: | The trailhead is at the back of the parking lot on Catawba Valley Drive |
| Trail Length: | The trail is listed as 4.6 miles (out and back). However, my Strava clocked it closer to 5.5 miles |
| Trail Difficulty: | Hard |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 1200 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Dogs are allowed on the trail, but the rock scrambles and steep ascents might be difficult for them. |
Trailhead
The start of the Dragon’s Tooth Trail is at the back of the parking lot.
There is a large sign with a map of the trails as well as some informative and “warning” signs, so you’re prepared for the trail.
Along the Trail – First Section
It’s about 1.7 miles along the Dragon’s Tooth Trail to the Appalachian Trail.
This section of the trail is not too challenging, although it is steep in some areas (up to 20% grade). If you’ve hiked to the Maryland Heights overlook, you’ll have an idea of what to expect.
There are several crossings along streams and water run-offs, but there are large stepping stones across each one.
The trail itself is wide and mostly clear of rocks.
Connecting to the Appalachian Trail
After 1.7 miles, the trail dead ends into the Appalachian Trail at a small clearing. There is a sign directing either north along the trail (towards McAfee Knob) or right towards the Dragon’s Tooth.
The sign says it’s only 7/10 miles to Dragon’s Tooth, but we found that to be false. My Strava clocked it closer to 1 mile by the time we reached the top.
Rock Scrambles Along the Appalachian Trail
After a short distance on the Appalachian Trail, you’ll come across a CAUTION sign indicating rocky and steep sections ahead. It’s not lying!
There are several areas of rocky steps and a few spots where you’ll need four points of contact to ascend the trail. It reminded me a bit of the rocky ascent along the Billy Goat Trail in Maryland and a section of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.
This section lasts about a half-mile, and it’s both a lot of fun and very challenging. I honestly cannot imagine trying to scramble up these sections with a full pack of gear on my back! Kudos to those thru-hikers who have done it!
Trail to Dragon’s Tooth
Once you reach the top of the ridge, you’ll see a sign directing you to the Dragon’s Tooth.
The trail is blue-blazed. It descends a bit to the tooth, so don’t be surprised that you are walking down to reach the “top”. It’s about 1/10 mile before you see the large, jutting rocks.
At the Dragon’s Tooth
There is a large clearing near the Dragon’s Tooth. You can see the 35-foot-tall rock very clearly! We walked past the tooth to sit and have lunch, enjoying the view.
You can climb on some of the rocks if you’re up for the challenge. Otherwise, it’s just impressive to stand next to.
Return to the Parking Lot
To return to the lot, follow the Appalachian Trail back down (those rock scrambles feel even harder when going down!) to the clearing.
From here, you have two options. Take the Dragon’s Tooth Trail back down to the parking lot. Or continue along the Appalachian Trail to the Boy Scout Trail.
We chose to follow the Dragon’s Tooth back down because we were already tired, and following the Appalachian Trail meant another ascent up a steep hill. However, reviews have stated that it’s a more eventful trail (with more rock scrambles) and prettier (featuring two overlooks), so you can decide which one is right for you.
We were happy to take the Dragon’s Tooth trail back down because we knew there would be a few water crossings where we could wet our cooling towels.
Check Out My Video of the Trail
Dragon’s Tooth Along the Appalachian Trail Wrap-Up
I read several reviews about the difficulty of this trail, and I kind of shrugged them off. We’ve done many challenging trails as a family, including the Billy Goat Trail in Maryland, the Lehigh Gap East Loop in Pennsylvania, and Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.
But this trail still kicked our butts! Had we not just completed a 4.4-mile hike (Cascades Falls – this is a must-do!) and a steep hike (to Bald Knob in Pembroke) the day before, we might have had a little more energy and felt a little better along the trail.
Don’t get me wrong – this is a FUN trail! I would highly recommend it to any experienced hiker. The rock scrambles were challenging, but we enjoyed them. We were spent by the time we reached the top.
More Hikes Near Dragon’s Tooth
Thanks to the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Mountains, there is no shortage of incredible hikes near the Dragon’s Tooth Trail. Some of the more popular ones include:
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