Roanoke, VA: Dragon's Tooth

Check the tread on your boots before this 4.4-mile loop that climbs rocky slopes and boulder-lined ridges on its way to a towering quartzite formation. From the information board at the Dragon’s Tooth Trail parking lot, hike an easy quarter mile to the trail’s junction with the Boy Scout Connector Trail. Turn left and follow the Boy Scout Connector as it switchbacks up a wooded slope for 0.4 mile before meeting the Appalachian Trail.
Turn right onto the white-blazed AT and follow it one mile south as it climbs a rocky, dragon-backed ridge. Look left for dramatic, boulder-framed views of farms in the valley below. The path rolls briefly across the summit then descends to a small clearing at Lost Spectacles Gap. Here, the Dragon’s Tooth Trail joins the AT as the latter climbs Cove Mountain. To continue 1 mile to the tooth, cross the gap and hike through the two white-blazed trees just ahead.
From here, the trail jags and twists up a craggy ridge. To stay on course, look for white blazes painted on the rocks. At the 3,020-foot summit of Cove Mountain, turn left onto the blue-blazed Dragon’s Tooth spur trail and hike a few hundred feet to the Tooth. If you’re flexible—and not afraid of heights—walk behind the formation and scramble up its steep surface. Your reward? Panoramic views that sweep in Catawba Valley, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs.
After descending Cove Mountain, leave the AT and turn left onto the Dragon’s Tooth Trail at Lost Spectacles Gap to complete the loop. The trail descends 1.5 miles on an easy path marked by stream crossings and lazy switchbacks. At the junction with the Boy Scout Connector Trail, turn left and return to the parking lot.
-Mapped by Amy C. Balfour

Trail Facts

• Distance: 7.1

Waypoints

DTT001

Location: 37.3787046, -80.1561213

The information board at the trailhead provides a simple route map with mileages. From here, follow an easy path to the south.

DTT002

Location: 37.3755053, -80.1565155

Junction with the Boy Scout Connector Trail: Leave the Dragon’s Tooth Trail and turn left onto the Boy Scout Connector. Both trails lead to the Appalachian Trail (AT), and eventually the Dragon’s Tooth, but the Boy Scout Connector Trail gets to the AT more quickly. The Boy Scout route also includes a rocky scramble over the dragon-like spine of a scenic ridge.

DTT003

Location: 37.3737127, -80.1536

Junction of Boy Scout Connector and AT: Turn right and hike south on the AT. A left turn offers a bailout option to VA 624 and short roadside walk back to the trailhead. Ahead, the trail parallels contour lines before tackling a steeper rock scramble section.

DTT004

Location: 37.3687673, -80.1609921

Continue climbing on the AT; look for white blazes on the rocks. After a short, level ramble on the summit, the trail descends.

DTT005

Location: 37.3655442, -80.1666784

At Lost Spectacles Gap you’ll reach a junction with the Dragon’s Tooth Trail. Follow the AT’s white blazes to continue to the Dragon’s Tooth formation on top of Cove Mountain. Ahead, the ridgeline climb will test your route-finding and boulder-scrambling skills. The return trip heads back to the trailhead on the Dragon’s Tooth Trail.

DTT006

Location: 37.3619926, -80.1728958

Turn left at junction with Dragon’s Tooth Spur Trail to leave the AT and take a short short walk to the Tooth.

DTT007

Location: 37.3610535, -80.1734886

Reach a clearing at the base of the 35-foot Dragon’s Tooth. The spire’s raw and ragged appearance was caused by the varied weathering rates of the formation’s Tuscarora quartzite and sandstone layers. To climb to the top, follow the trail to the back of the spire and scramble up a narrow crevice. From there, ease yourself up a narrow slope to the top; this route is not for the squeamish.

DTT008

Location: 37.3609018, -80.1734858

Enjoy panoramic views from the top of Dragon’s Tooth: Sandstone Ridge to the south, Brush Mountain to the west, and McAfee Knob to the east. When you’re ready, descend with caution back to Waypoint 5 and turn left onto the Dragon’s Tooth Trail to head back to the trailhead.

DTT009

Location: 37.3712912, -80.1635778

The blue-blazed Dragon’s Tooth Trail is marked by lazy switchbacks, stream crossings, wooden bridges, and lots of stones. Ahead, the trail reconnects with Waypoint 2; turn left to reach the trailhead.

View from Ridgetop Knoll

Location: 37.3673093, -80.1627731

Dragon’s Tooth Trailhead

Location: 37.3787003, -80.1560515

Dragon’s Tooth and Boy Scout Connector Junction

Location: 37.3754946, -80.1564324

Boy Scout Connector Trail

Location: 37.3742754, -80.1542115

Boy Scout Connector and AT Junction

Location: 37.3737212, -80.1534712

Ridge Scramble

Location: 37.3698076, -80.1595867

Valley View

Location: 37.3693557, -80.1603162

View of North Mountain

Location: 37.3673604, -80.1628804

Lost Spectacles Gap

Location: 37.3655698, -80.1665068

Follow the white-blazed AT, just to the right of the trail marker, up a rocky ridgeline to the top of Cove Mountain. From there, take the short, marked spur trail to the Tooth.

Route Finding on the Ascent

Location: 37.3629263, -80.1715493

Climbing Aids

Location: 37.3612464, -80.1729655

Just below the summit of Cove Mountain, a few man-made climbing aids offer assistance.

Dragon’s Tooth Spur Trail Junction

Location: 37.3619926, -80.1728636

Dragon’s Tooth

Location: 37.3610535, -80.1734711

Climbing up Dragon’s Tooth

Location: 37.3609011, -80.1734564

Dragon’s Tooth View

Location: 37.3609021, -80.1734698

There’s only room for one person at the very top of Dragon’s Tooth.

Stone Steps on Dragon’s Tooth Trail

Location: 37.3712827, -80.163449