Although Virginia may not have the tallest mountains in the country, you could argue that the views from the top are unbeatable. This is especially true for Grayson County's Whitetop Mountain, the second tallest mountain in the entire state. Whitetop provides an outstanding panoramic view nestled among other peaks of impressive stature. To hikers of the Appalachian Trail, Whitetop is a significant landmark. To anyone who wishes to visit, the peak is accessible by the state's highest navigable road. No matter how you get there, you're sure to enjoy what awaits.

From a distance, Whitetop resembles the soft rolling hills that surround it. But this mountain stands an impressive 5,520 ft. tall. Look closely and you'll notice Mount Rogers, the tallest peak in the state, looming just behind.

Once you reach the top, you'll get a rare view that allows you to see miles of Southwest Virginia and beyond.

What now appears utterly calm and tranquil may have had somewhat of an explosive history. The discovery of pyroclastic rocks on both Whitetop and Mount Rogers suggests the presence of lava flow some 750 million years ago.

If you plan on hiking Whitetop, be sure to bring plenty of layers. The temperature can drop almost instantly, and the average temperature at the top of the mountain is about 10 degrees cooler than what you experienced at the bottom. But with this gorgeous warm color palette, you may not even notice.

The trail leading to the summit is heavily forested. Be on the lookout for red spruce and northern softwoods, which can't be found anywhere else this far south.

Whitetop is a popular destination for climbers and hikers alike. The intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail in Downtown Damascus is only a few miles away.

This photo shows Eleanor Roosevelt at Whitetop, where she attended the White Top Folk Festival. This Appalachian folk music festival was held from 1931-1939. The area experienced flooding in 1940 and sadly, the festival was never held again.

If you follow the Appalachian trail just below the mountain's peak, you'll reach Buzzard rock. This vista offers an incredible vantage point of high peaks in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Talk about a view!

As the sky's bold colors wash over the prairie grasses and wild flowers, Whitetop will offer one of the loveliest sunset views in the state.

We'll just let this last picture speak for itself.

Whitetop is just one of many breathtaking peaks in the state. Share your love for Whitetop or any other Virginia mountains in the comments below!