Looking to check the best sunrise hike on the east coast off your bucket list? Check out McAfee Knob for the best sunrise hike!
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Sunrise hiking is always intimidating. The alarm is too early and it’s a little scary to hike in the dark but it is always, ALWAYS worth it. In August 2024, I hiked McAfee Knob in Catawba, Virginia as a sunrise hike and it has set a standard that will be hard to beat. This was one of my favorite hikes of the year and I already can’t wait to tackle it again.
Read on for how to plan the best McAfee Knob sunrise hike!
As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.
About McAfee Knob
McAfee Knob is one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail. This scenic overlook offers a 270 degree view of the valley below and is truly amazing at sunrise. This was a bucket list hike for me and I’d recommend everyone add it to theirs as well!
McAfee Knob Trail Details
- Hike Length: 8.3 miles – AllTrails says 7.8, but my watch said 8.3 from where we parked
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Elevation gain: ~1,980 feet
- Approximate time to complete: Four hours – we hiked it in 3 hrs 40 min and spent about 20 min at the top admiring the sunrise
- Blaze Color: White
- Trail Type: Well trodden dirt, with some rocks and roots to navigate through
- Alternate Route: There is a fire road that goes up almost all the way to the knob that is slightly easier, but less scenic
- Things to Note: Be on the lookout for bears! Make sure to keep all food with you and do not under any circumstances get close to a bear. Also, when walking by the shelters in the dark, be respectful as others may be sleeping.
Planning a McAfee Knob Sunrise Hike
Getting the logistics of a sunrise hike down can be a little bit tricky, especially when folks have to meet up in the dark in an area that may or may not have cell reception. Here are my tips for smooth sailing to the top of McAfee Knob just in time for sunrise.
Plan in Advance
The last thing you want to do is frantically text your hiking companions in the pitch black to try to figure out logistics. Make sure everyone knows where and when to meet and where the trailhead is before the morning of your hike. This is especially important for parking. The McAfee Knob parking lot is now open, with the construction of the new pedestrian bridge over route 311. On a weekend day, you may need to park in an overflow lot, adding about two miles to the hike.
Leave a Time Buffer
Unlike a normal day hike, it’s extra important to nail your timing for a sunrise hike. Start by figuring out what time sunrise is, which you can do by looking at sunrise times for Catawba, VA to plan accordingly.
For our hike in late August, sunrise was at 645a and it is approximately four miles to the peak. Since the hike had a decent amount of elevation, I estimated 30 min per mile to be safe with 15 min of additional buffer time so our plan was to start at 430a. It was good I added the buffer as we didn’t get started until about 440-445a and hit the peak right at 640a – right before the sun came up. It’s important to know your companions’ approximate hiking pace in order to time this right.
Download All Maps
I always recommend downloading both the trail map via AllTrails and Google maps for the region for any hike, but especially one where you will be navigating in the dark. While the trail was relatively straightforward and had good markings, there were a couple of crossings with spur trails where I was glad to have my AllTrails map downloaded. For information about how to download Google Maps, click here for iPhone directions and here for Android directions.
In order to download maps, you'll have to have a subscription to AllTrails+!
Pack Accordingly
A sunrise hike requires some different equipment than a regular day hike so keep on reading for my packing recommendations!
Looking to have the best weekend in Roanoke? Check out my itinerary for the perfect Roanoke weekend!
What to Bring on a McAfee Knob Sunrise Hike
The key to success for an eight mile hike, half of which is in the dark, is being prepared! Remember to always pack the ten essentials for day hiking. I like to be over prepared, especially if I am leading a group. Click the links below to shop my favorite products!
- Headlamp – this BioLite rechargeable headlamp is my go-to for hiking in the dark
- Bear Spray – yes, there are bears on this trail
- Snacks – Honey Stinger waffles are my favorite for a little boost of energy
- Sunscreen – while half of the hike is in the dark, the other half is not!
- Bug spray – I was very glad we had bug spray as it was pretty buggy
- Sunglasses – obviously only for the second half of the hike
- First aid kit – better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it
- Water – when we hiked in August, it was HOT and all of the water sources were dry. I like to carry my water in my Osprey Hydration Bladder so that I drink frequently
For more information on everything I packed on my McAfee Knob hike, check out my gear locker below!
FAQs
Where do I park to hike McAfee Knob?
As of fall 2024, the official McAfee Knob parking lot is closed while construction of a pedestrian bridge over the road is completed. Overflow parking is available on Old Catawba road, at the Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center and Roanoke County Catawba Center. Note that parking in either of the overflow lots adds almost 2 miles to the hike for a total of 10 miles. We parked on Old Catawba Road just off 311, where there were many spots available at 4:30a on a Monday. Parking here did not add more than a tenth of a mile. For more information about where to park, visit the Roanoke County Government website.
On weekend days, there is a shuttle that runs on a consistent interval (just not in time for sunrise). For more information and to book the shuttle, visit the McAfee Knob Shuttle website.
Is hiking McAfee Knob at sunrise safe?
All hikes, especially in the dark, come with some level of danger. This hike was relatively easy to stay on trail even in the dark. However, there are wild animals in the area including bears. I do not recommend tackling this hike solo unless you are an extremely experienced hiker (and even then, it’s still safer to go with a buddy or two because it is bear country).
Are there bears near McAfee Knob?
Yes! 100% yes. We saw a juvenile bear on our hike who has apparently been trying to steal hiker food. Give all wildlife, especially bears, space and do not feed them under any circumstances. Remember – a fed bear is a dead bear!
What time do I have to start hiking to hit McAfee Knob at sunrise?
This depends on both your hiking speed and what time sunrise is. Check out sunrise times for Catawba, VA to plan accordingly. When I went, we planned to start around 4:30a to hit the peak for a 6:45a sunrise. We ended up starting around 4:40a and reached the peak at 6:40a, just before the sun came up. Remember that sunrise is beautiful even before the sun reaches the horizon, so I’d recommend trying to get to the peak about 20 minutes early to get the best views.
What day of the week should I hike McAfee Knob?
This is an extremely popular hike. If you’re looking for solitude (or as much as you can get on one of the most popular spots on the Appalachian Trail), go during the week. I went on a Monday morning in August and we still shared the top with about four others during sunrise.
Are dogs allowed on McAfee Knob?
Dogs are allowed on this trail as long as they are leashed. However, I recommend thinking critically about whether bringing your dog is a good choice. Depending on the time of day, this can be a very crowded trail and the path is quite narrow. I would not bring my reactive dog on this hike. Please remember to clean up after your dog and leave the trail better than you found it.
Updated September 7, 2025