Have you ever taken a Blue Ridge Mountain trail that’s felt as old as time itself? Perhaps that’s because those particular peaks really are ancient. In fact, by some estimates, the Blue Ridge Mountains are nearly one billion years in age. That makes them among the oldest mountains in the world. And the most fascinating part of all? Some scientists believe that at one time, they were as tall as the Himalayas! Here’s more on the fascinating and lengthy history of our majestic Blue Ridge Mountains.

It's one of the most familiar and inspiring scenes in Virginia: the subtle blues and greens of our beloved Blue Ridge Mountains. This segment of the Appalachian Mountains is famous for its soft blue hues.
Heath Holden / Getty Images
This is thanks to the millions of trees, which release a chemical known as isoprene into the environment. The result? Majestic blue hues for as far as the eye can see!
To walk among these mountains is to experience one of the oldest things on the planet. Scientists believe that the Blue Ridge Mountains were created approximately 1.1 billion years ago due to the uplifting of the Earth’s tectonic plates.
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Perhaps what's most impressive of all is that when these mountains emerged, they were among the very tallest in the world!
Boxcar Photography / Getty Images

Related Stories

Spend The Day Exploring Dozens Of Waterfalls In Virginia's Shenandoah National Park

Spend The Day Exploring Dozens Of Waterfalls In Virginia's Shenandoah National Park

 Watch Up To 40 Meteors Per Hour In The First Meteor Shower Of 2023, Visible From Virginia

Watch Up To 40 Meteors Per Hour In The First Meteor Shower Of 2023, Visible From Virginia

 You'll Have A Front-Row View Of The Virginia Grand Canyon At This Cozy Lodge

You'll Have A Front-Row View Of The Virginia Grand Canyon At This Cozy Lodge
Today, these mountains are known for being quite modest when compared to the Rockies and Himalayas. That's the result of millions upon millions of years of erosion.
mbell / Getty Images
The tallest mountain in the range is Mount Mitchell, a North Carolina mountain with an elevation of 6,684 feet.
But if you had existed one billion years ago to see the Blue Ridge Mountains, they might have looked something like this!
Boy_Anupong / Getty Images
Photographed above is a view of the Himalayan Mountains as seen from Nepal.
While these mountains may no longer be giants, we can't help but find them to be positively staggering - even a bit magical.
Cavan Images / Getty Images
So the next time you find yourself on a Blue Ridge Mountain hike, consider just how long these peaks have existed and marvel at the experience of being connected to something so timeless.
LightScribe / Getty Images

Did you know that the Blue Ridge Mountains were among the oldest mountains in the world? We’re pretty impressed! For related content, check out these beautiful destinations where you can get your mountain fix in Virginia.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Virginia