Virginia Hiking Trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway
|
Milepost |
Milepost numbers increase as you go South on the Parkway. |
Mileage* |
Difficulty |
|
5.9 |
Mountain Farm Trail (self-guiding, from Humpback Visitor Center to pioneer farmstead) MAP |
0.25 |
Easy |
|
6 |
Appalachian Trail (Humpback Gap parking area to Humpback Mtn., elev. - 3650 feet) MAP |
2 |
Strenuous |
|
8.4 |
Catoctin Loop Trail (leg stretcher) MAP |
0.3 |
Moderate |
|
8.8 |
Greenstone Trail (self-guiding; Greenstone geology formation; oak hickory forest) MAP |
0.2 |
Moderate |
|
17.6 |
the Priest (view) |
0.1 |
Easy |
|
18.5 |
White Rock Falls Trail Connection |
2.9 |
Moderate |
|
20 |
White Rock Falls Trail (follows stream to small falls) |
0.9 |
Moderate |
|
26.3 |
Big Spy Mountain (view into Shenandoah Valley; good for sky watching) |
0.1 |
Moderate |
|
34.4 |
Yankee Horse (to logging RR exhibit & small waterfall) |
0.2 |
Moderate |
|
38.8 |
Boston Knob (leg stretcher) |
0.1 |
Easy |
|
47.5 |
Indian Gap (to Indian Rocks; good seasonal rhododendron display) |
0.3 |
Moderate |
|
55.2 |
White Oak Flats (leg stretcher) |
0.1 |
Easy |
|
60.8 |
Otter Creek Trail (begin at Otter Creek Campground) MAP |
3.5 |
Moderate |
|
63.1 |
Otter Lake Trail (around Otter Lake) MAP |
0.8 |
Moderate |
|
63.6 |
James River Trail (Self-guiding to canal locks) MAP |
0.2 |
Easy |
|
63.6 |
Trail of Trees Trail (self-guiding to James River Overlook) MAP |
0.5 |
Moderate |
|
74.7 |
Thunder Ridge Trail (leg stretcher loop to view of Arnold Valley) |
0.1 |
Easy |
|
78.4 |
Apple Orchard Falls Trail (Sunset Field Overlook to view of Apple Orchard Falls; National Recreation Trail) |
1.2 |
Strenuous |
|
79.7 |
Onion Mountain Loop Trail (leg stretcher through Appalachian deciduous forest with rhododendron display) |
0.1 |
Easy |
|
83.1 |
Fallingwater Cascades Trail National Recreation Trail; loop to view of cascades) MAP |
1.6 |
Moderate |
|
83.5 |
Flat Top Trail (leads to highest of three prominent peaks in area) MAP |
4.4 |
Moderate |
|
|
• Cross Rock Trail (spur off Flat Top Trail; unique geological features) MAP |
0.1 |
Moderate |
|
85.7 |
Abbott Lake Trail (loop around Abbott Lake) MAP |
1 |
Easy |
|
85.9 |
Elk Run Trail (self-guiding loop nature trail from Visitor Center) MAP |
0.8 |
Easy |
|
85.9 |
Johnson Farm Loop Trail (loop to restored mountain farm) MAP |
2.1 |
Moderate |
|
85.9 |
Harkening Hill Trail (elevation -3300 feet; begin at Peaks Visitor Center) MAP |
3.3 |
Moderate |
|
|
• Balance Rock (spur trail off Harkening Hill Trail; unique geological formations) MAP |
0.1 |
Moderate |
|
86 |
Sharp Top Trail (from camp store to summit of Sharp Top Mtn.; elevation - 3875 feet; 360 degree panoramic view) MAP |
1.5 |
Strenuous |
|
91 |
Appalachian Trail (VA 695 to Sharp Top Mtn. Overlook) |
1.9 |
Moderate |
|
92.5 |
Appalachian Trail (Sharp Top Mtn. Overlook to Harvey's Knob Overlook) |
2.9 |
Moderate |
|
95.4 |
Appalachian Trail (Harvey's Knob Overlook to Motvale Overlook) |
0.6 |
Moderate |
|
95.9 |
Appalachian Trail (Montvale Overlook to Taylor's Mountain Overlook) |
1 |
Moderate |
|
96 |
Spec Mine Trail (USFS Trail begins near Montvale Overlook, to State Rt. 645 in Botetourt County) |
2.8 |
Strenuous |
|
97 |
Appalachian Trail (Taylor's Mtn. Overlook to Blackhorse Gap) |
0.8 |
Moderate |
|
110.6 |
Stewarts Knob Trail (view) MAP |
0.05 |
Easy |
|
114.9 |
Roanoke River Trail (self-guiding river loop) MAP |
0.35 |
Easy |
|
120.4 |
Roanoke Mountain Summit Trail (view) MAP |
0.11 |
Moderate |
|
120.5 |
Chestnut Ridge Trail (adjacent to Roanoke Mtn. campground) MAP |
1.75 |
Moderate |
|
121.4 |
Roanoke Valley Horse Trail (begins US Hwy 220, parallels Parkway to Milepost 110.6) MAP |
18.5 |
Moderate |
|
123.2 |
Buck Mountain Trail (to summit view) |
0.53 |
Moderate |
|
154.5 |
Smart View Loop Trail (around picnic area) |
2.6 |
Moderate |
|
167.1 |
Rock Castle Gorge Trail (loop from campground along ridge over Rocky Knob and into gorge for 7-mile return to campground) MAP |
10.8 |
Strenuous |
|
167.1 |
Hardwood Cove Self-Guiding Nature Trail (part of Rock Castle Loop) MAP |
0.8 |
Moderate |
|
169 |
Black Ridge Trail (Rocky Knob Visitor Center to Black Ridge to Grassy Knoll and back to Visitor Center) MAP |
3.1 |
Moderate |
|
169 |
Rocky Knob Picnic Loop Trail (leg stretcher around picnic area) MAP |
1 |
Easy |
|
176.2 |
Mountain Industry Trail (Mabry Mill) |
0.5 |
Easy |
|
179.2 |
Round Meadow Creek Loop Trail (walk through a stream bottom forest) |
0.5 |
Moderate |
*Mileage indicated length of trail one-way unless otherwise noted
Open year round, the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary craft of the Southern Appalachians.
The 64th edition of the Blue Ridge Parkway Directory & Travel Planner is here! Explore area lodging and attractions, Parkway maps, services and more.
From fine arts to fun, experience the best places and activities to enhance your visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway region.
Camping is one way visitors traveling through the Blue Ridge Parkway can spend the night under the stars in one of America’s most beautiful natural settings.
Don't forget your cameras and binoculars when visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway! Learn when and where to see blooms along your journey.
A journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers motorists spectacular views of Southern Appalachia’s diverse beauty for 469.1 uninterrupted miles.
