Roanoke Area Trails - This is a compilation of trails within an hour radius of Roanoke. Listings that have more detailed information are linked to the bottom of the page. To get info on other trails in Virginia go to the Others Trails Page I've tried to list the trails below in order of increasing distance from Roanoke City.
Before Heading out you may want to familiarize yourself with the rules of the trail and understand that bikes must yield to other users. For the Full Story read the following on Trail Etiquette.
For trails to get better and better we need more help. 1000s of hours have been donated by local volunteers in an effort to create and maintain trails. Find some time to give back. Contact Pathfinders (click on Volunteer) to find out how you can help on the designated work days around Roanoke. If you don't have time, you can always donate (donations to Pathfinders are tax deductible).
Disclaimer: Trail activities are physically demanding and may result in injury due to falls, cuts, bites, burns, over exertion, weather conditions, etc. You should not undertake this activity unless you are in proper physical condition and have the necessary skills, equipment, etc. You assume all the risks, including those not foreseeable, involved in participation in this activity.
Trail ratings assume one is in reasonable hiking shape! Moderate easily becomes difficult to strenuous if one is not in shape, and conversely, a harder rating becomes much easier if one hikes a great deal.
These directions were accurate at the time they were recorded. However, trail conditions change, signs are vandalized, droughts cause water sources to dry up, etc. Be prepared for the unexpected.
Trail users can never be over prepared and it is recommended that you always carry water, food, flashlight, rain gear, appropriate clothing, first aid kit, map, compass, and matches. Also recommended are a cell phone, toilet paper, and alcohol wipes
Many of the following links are bookmarked to more information at the bottom of the Webpage.
Mill Mountain Park - 8-9 miles of trail. If you are a runner, you can link these trails up with the Chestnut ridge loop for nice tough long run. You have to climb at some point if you are coming to Mill Mountain.
Location: Just outside of downtown Roanoke. Look up to the mountain with the big star and you've found Mill Mountain.
Hospital: Carilion Memorial Hospital is at the base of the Mountain. Go down the mountain, take a left at Laurel Street, then a left on Belleview Avenue, this will take you to the hospital.
Carvins Cove - 20+ miles of trail - Beginner to advanced single track. This place has a little bit of everything.
Location: Just north of Salem on route 311. From the traffic light at the intersection of Thompson Memorial and route 419 (landmarks - Apple Market and BP stations). Go north on 311 for approximately 1.8 miles to Carvins Cove road on the right. Take Carvins Cove Road for 1.3 miles to a stop sign, go right, and take this about 2.1 miles until you get to the big gravel parking lot on the right.
Hospital: Head back to route 311 and take a left. At the light take a left onto route 419. You will take 419 a couple of miles to Lewis Gale Hospital. The hospital will be on your left.
Fort Lewis Mountain - 17 mile loop with a jeep road climb, some advanced single track in the middle, and a 5 mile asphalt road finish.
Location: North of Salem off of Route 311. Turn left on Bradshaw Road. This is the mountain behind Mason's Cove Elementary School.
Hospital: Head back to route 311 and take a right. At the light take a left onto route 419. You will take 419 a couple of miles to Lewis Gale Hospital. The hospital will be on your left.
Explore Park - 8 miles of Intermediate, twisty, rolling IMBA style single track.
Location: Milepost 115 off of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Hospital: Go out of the park and to the Blue Ridge Parkway and take a left/south. Follow the signs for Mill Mountain/Roanoke City. Follow the signs to Roanoke. At the base of the mountain you will take a left at Laurel Street, then a left on Belleview Avenue, this will take you to the Carilion Memorial Hospital.
Appalachian Trail - Miles and miles of great rocky and rooty trail with fantastic views and endless elevation gain and loss (hiking only).
Location: From Georgia to main; the easiest access points are on Catawba Mountain about 20 minutes North of Salem off Route 311 and just off the interstate in Daleville (exit 150) at the Park and Ride (climb over the guardrail and look for the white blazes).
Hospital: Lewis Gale Hospital in Salem.
Dragon's Back - 30 miles of Advanced level single track.
Location: About 25 minutes North of Salem off Route 311. This is the big mountain across the street from the Dragon's Tooth parking lot. You can also access North Mountain from forest service road; Wildlife Road and Broad Run Road.
Hospital: Head back to route 311 and go south towards Roanoke. At the light take a left onto route 419. You will take 419 a couple of miles to Lewis Gale Hospital. The hospital will be on your left.
Glenwood Horse Trail (GHT) - This is a 65+ mile network of advanced single track and jeep roads along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Natural Bridge Station to Camp Bethel outside of Nace.
Potts Mountain - 20+ miles of advanced riding on asphalt, jeep roads, single track, and forest service roads (real cross country). This is Craig County's big mountain. It used to be home of a a mountain bike race.
Location:: North of Salem on Route 311 to New Castle. Go past New Castle a couple of miles until you find Route 611 and head right/east. Take a left on Route 617 to the Pines Campground on your left.
Hospital: Head back to route 311 and go south towards Roanoke. At the light take a left onto route 419. You will take 419 a
couple of miles to Lewis Gale Hospital. The hospital will be on your left.
Montvale Park - 6.5+ miles of single track. Park is still being developed.
Location: 30 minutes East of Roanoke on Route 460. Two parking options either at the bottom of the hill from the Montvale Elementary School or off of Quarterwood Road. Quarterwood is right across the street from a BP gas Station and just before the Montvale Elementary School.
Hospital: Bedford Memorial Hospital will be the closest hospital. Head out of the park back to Highway 460 and take a right going East, follow the signs for 221 East/Blue Ridge Avenue, follow 221 East to to Oakwood Street and take a left. This will take you to Bedford Memorial Hospital.
Falling Creek Park (Bedford) - 9 miles of beginner to intermediate single track.
Location: 45 minutes east of Roanoke in Bedford. Look for the 122 North sign (not business. If you get to the Wal-mart, you've gone to far.), at this exit there will be a sign for 714. Take a right at the end of the exit and go approximately .8 miles. The parking lot is behind the Bedford County Nursing home next to the big red barn.
Hospital: Head back out of the park towards Highway 460, instead of getting on 460, go under the overpass and take a right at the first light (follow the signs for 122 North/221 East), at the light (Forest Road) take a left onto 221 West, take this to Oakwood Street and take a right. This will take you to Bedford Memorial Hospital.
Pandapas Pond (Blacksburg) - 30+ miles of beginner to advance single track. Use this link to get more trail info. for the park. This link will give you some inside info on length and elevation of most of the trails in the park.
Location: From Roanoke take I-81 South to HWY 460 West. Take this past Blacksburg, up and over Brush Mtn, and shortly after you will see a sign for the park. The park will be on your left.
Hospital: From the park get back on HWY 460 and head back toward Blacksburg. Follow the the hospital signs to 3700 South Main Street, Blacksburg for Montgomery Regional Hospital - (540) 951-1111.
Mountain Lake (Blacksburg) - 15 miles of beginner to advance single track (advanced trails; Bear Cliffs and Moonstomper have some crazy roots and rocks. One tough place to ride without dabbing). This area hosts the Dirty Dawg mtn. bike race. The trails here are rocky single and double track. The scenery, Hotel, and other lake properties are amazing.
Location: From Roanoke take I-81 South to HWY 460 West. Take this past Blacksburg, up and over Brush Mtn. Shortly after going past route 42 you will see a sign on your left for Mtn. Lake. Take a right and after the 7 mile drive to the top of the mountain you be at Mountain Lake.
Hospital: From the park get back on HWY 460 and head back toward Blacksburg. Follow the the hospital signs to 3700 South Main Street, Blacksburg for Montgomery Regional Hospital - (540) 951-1111.
Smith Mountain Lake - 14 miles of multi use trail - trail is wide single track; cut by mini-dozer and skid steer. The trails are characterized by short, rolling hills with a few steep sections. Most trails have multiple views of the lake. I haven't been down there for an official review, but plan to get there soon.
Location: From Roanoke take Route 24 east to Route 122 and turn right. Take this to White House Road (Route 608). This will take you to Smith Mountain Lake Parkway (Route 626). These are the easiest directions. There are faster ways to the park but I will figure out that adventure.
Hospital: From park entrance turn left on Rt 626 (Smith Mountain Lake Parkway) and go about 2 miles. Turn left on 608 (White House Rd) and follow this for about 6 miles to Rt 122 (Moneta Rd). Turn right on 122 and follow to Bedford, about 15 miles. Stay on 122 till you get to a T intersection with Main St. Turn right on Main St and go 1 block to traffic light at Bridge St. Left onto Bridge and stay on it thru town. You'll pass a school on the left and Bridge turns into Longwood St. Shortly after there will be a long left hand turning lane, stay in left lane to traffic light and turn on Oakwood St and follow to hospital, which will be on your left. Hospital is 1613 Oakwood St, 540 586-2441. To contact the park call # is 540 297-6066.
Rock Castle Gorge - (11 mile Loop - Strenuous but worth it) - This loop is amazing. I can't believe it took me so long to get out here.
There are a couple different hikes you can do for shorter mileage, but I would recommend getting it all in, in one visit.
We parked at the Rocky Knob campground. When you pull in there is a road "Park Ranger Office" to the left. We pull in there and park under the big tree, but you can park anywhere in that area if you are hiking the loop trail. To get to the trail you need to cross the Blue Ridge Parkway and go through the fence. We've taken the loop both directions. Both are tough workouts and I can't suggest a better option.
You can also park at the bottom of the gorge off of route 8. After you go under the Blue Ridge Parkway and get to the bottom of the mountain you will want to look for the CCC camp road on the right. Take this road to the end and you can access the trail there. You can pick either direction depending on what type of hike you want.
From the Rocky Knob Campground - Head across the Parkway and start the hike. I'd go left. This will take you through the woods for a mile or so and then down the gorge. This is a steep section. Don't trip on any roots, because it may take a few days for anyone to find you or even to get to you. At the bottom of the gorge the trail will run along a creek. This is a nice section. The trail will soon intersect with a gravel road (this is at the old CCC Camp). This road continues to run along the creek and starts out as a gradual climb and then begins to get steeper and steeper. After about 3 miles on the road the trail will head off to the right. This section continues to climb, goes through an odd section of boulders and then up to a cow pasture (this will have wildflowers in the spring and raspberries in the summer). From the cow pasture the trail will head in and out of the woods, around a BRP overlook or two and then up to Rocky Knob. This peak has some very nice views of the valley below and beyond. Continue on down from the knob, back into another cow pasture, and back to your car.
Douthat State Park - 40+ miles of Intermediate single track. This state park is a gem. It ranks as one of the best State Parks in the nation. The race map will give you a taste of the 20 mile Sport/Expert race course that will give you 5000ft of climbing, screaming downhills, and a great time. Jump in the lake and cool off when your done.
Location: 1 hour North of Roanoke, outside of Clifton Forge.
Hospital: Head south, back out of the park and get on Interstate 64 West, take exit 21 and follow the hospital signs.
Peaks View Park (Lynchburg) - 10 miles of beginner to intermediate single track.
Location: 60-75 minutes west of Roanoke on Route 460. I like to take 221 from Bedford into Lynchburg. At the intersection of 221 and 501 take a left. Veer off 501 to the right onto Old Forest Road. There will be a few signs for the park. Take Ardmore on your left to the end, at the park.
Hospital: Head back out of the park to Old Forest Road and take a left, take a left on Halsey Road, and then a right onto 501/Langhorne Road, from here you should see the hospital signs to get you the rest of the way.
Chandlers/Liberty Mountain (Lynchburg) - 20+ miles of intermediate to advance single track. The word is these trails were started and cut by ultrarunner David Horton. These are some very nice trails and the mountain has room for many more miles of trail. The 9/20/08 Assault on Liberty Mountain saw the Sport/Expert class riders complete a 19.2 mile loop. Most of the field completed this loop in 2-2.75 hours. This mountain has it all; tight and twisty singletrack, lung busting climbs, speedy downhills, and the occasional technical trail feature.
Location: You will want to park at the Wingate Motel off of Candler's Mountain Road. The bike club has worked with the Motel to use the parking closest to Candler's Mountain Road; which is across the street from the trail access. You may want to call Bikes Unlimited to get some "local" inside information.
Hospital: From the Wingate take a left on Candler's Mountain Road, turn right before the Applebee's following the signs for 29N. Once on 29N, look for the blue Hospital signs, follow to Lynchburg General Hospital.
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Location: Just outside of downtown Roanoke. Look up to the mountain with the big star and you've found Mill Mountain.
There has been a lot of work done on these trails in the past few years. Nice work Roanoke. Great place to get in a quick workout with some climbing. Remember that the Star Trail and Chestnut Ridge Loop don't allow bikes. If you're biking you'll have to take the newly created Wood Thrush Trail at the top of the gravel road climb to stay legal. You can also park at the Discovery Center at the top of Mill Mountain. If you need a map of the trails they should have some for you there. These trails have been known to hide wild blueberries and raspberries.
Star Trail - (Moderate) This trail is 1.7 miles up and a 3.4 mile out and back. You'll have a 1.5 mile hike up to the star and overlook. This is the biggest hot spot for visitors wishing to look out over the city of Roanoke. On a clear day it has the best view of the city and surrounding mountains.
Chestnut Ridge Loop - MAP - (Moderate) This is a challenging 5.4 mile Hiker/horse trail that circles the Roanoke Mountain campground. There is approximately 800ft of elevation gain on this loop, most of it coming from 3 different hills that will burn your lungs. A few years ago there was a lot of work done on this trail that improved it tremendously (in the summer be on the lookout for Poison Ivy). I really like this loop for a short workout and will include some of the connecting Mill Mountain trails to increase my mileage. In addition, I will sometimes connect the Chestnut Ridge Loop with the paved 4 mile Roanoke Mountain Loop if I'm looking to get in some hill training. The downhill coming off this mountain has helped get my joints ready for the pounding they would take in some ultra runs.
10k Loop (Running)- See the Mill Mountain Mayhem 10k
16 Mile Loop (Running) - Park at the Star Trail parking lot and do the above 10k loop, then take the Woodthrush trail to the Chestnut Ridge Loop, do the Chestnut Ridge Loop, take the Woodthrush back to the Star Trail, and back to your car.
20 Mile Loop - Do the above, and when you get to where the Chestnut Ridge Loop goes under the Parkway Spur, cross the road to the horse trail that takes you to the Overlook just off the parkway, then run the Roanoke Mountain Loop. It's an elevation killer but a great hill workout. When done with the Roanoke mountain loop, continue on to the second half of the Chestnut Ridge Loop.
Carvins Cove - 20+ miles of trail - Beginner to advanced single track. This place has a little bit of everything.
Location: Just north of Salem on route 311. From the traffic light at the intersection of Thompson Memorial and route 419 (landmarks - Apple Market and BP stations). Go north on 311 for approximately 1.8 miles to Carvins Cove road on the right. Take Carvins Cove Road for 1.3 miles to a stop sign, go right, and take this about 2.1 miles until you get to the big gravel parking lot on the right.
MAP #2 - Here is another map of the Cove. It's laid out a little differently.
The 11 mile Lower loop is a great medium ride. This will keep you from the big climbs but will also keep you from some great downhills. Clockwise or counterclockwise it is a good ride. I'd say I ride it clockwise more often and then take the road back to the parking lot.
Lower Loop - 11.08 Miles - Bennett Springs Parking lot to 4 Gorge Trail, down the Brushy Mountain Fireroad for .48 mile, a right at the bottom onto Happy Valley Road for .19 miles, Songbird will be on the left (at 1.83 miles Songbird intersects with a gravel road and the continues on for another .26 miles), at the end you will take another left onto Happy Valley Road for .11 miles and then take Arrowhead on your left, at the end of Arrowhead you will take another left onto Happy Valley Road for 1.03 miles, a right onto Schoolhouse, at the road you will continue on to Little Bell for .3 miles, at the gravel road you will take a right and then a quick left onto Enchanted Forest Trail (at .4 miles this will lead you back to Happy Valley Road, head right for .13 miles and the entrance back onto Enchanted Forest Trail will be on your left, this will take you to a 4 way intersection, go right onto Comet for .76 miles and you are back to Happy Valley Road. I usually take a left and head back out on the asphalt road to compete the loop and 11.08 miles at the parking lot.
Below are the mileages and links for the elevation profiles of the trails on this loop.
2.37 miles Green Trail now 4 Gorge Trail From intersection with Hi-Dee-Ho
2.09 miles Songbird
1.63 miles Arrowhead
1.82 miles Schoolhouse
0.30 miles Little Bell
1.03 miles Enchanted Forest
0.76 miles Comet
Trails on the way to the ridge:
Jacob's Drop - this is a steep downhill that will take you to a few more options. Either way; the comet or Jacob's drop, both have fun downhills.
Hemlock Tunnel - This trail has one of the steepest drops at the cove. The downhill is usually covered in leaves, sticks, loose rock, and roots. It can be fun and exhilarating, but travel at your own risk. This trail probably has the highest risk of carnage of any trail at the Cove.
Trails to the ridge:
Hi-dee Hoe - 1.61 miles from the Parking lot to the top of the climb - Elevation Profile
Downhill - One of my all time favorites. This sucker is fast. It is all rideable. The switchbacks are always a good challenge and There are a couple of water bars where you can catch some good air.
Climb - lung busting ascent with 4 challenging switchbacks. The swichbacks are rideable but watch that root on the 2nd switchback.
Buck - 1.50 miles to the road or 1.24 mile downhill to the Hotel trail which will connect you to the parking lot - Elevation Profile
Downhill - this is a fast downhill with 2 switchbacks, many tight corners, and a couple of big drops.
Climb - This climb is a good workout but not too bad. The two tight corners and switchbacks are tough, but if you grunt in the right place and stick your tongue out the right way, their doable.
Hotel - 1.22 miles from Buck to Parking Lot - Elevation Profile
From the parking lot - this is a good warm up with two smaller steep climbs.
To the parking lot - mostly downhill and flat. A good way to end your ride.
Gauntlet - 3.35 miles - Elevation Profile
Downhill - This is a tough downhill. Don't get me wrong, it's fun, but it will work your forearms and mind all the way down. Be ready for a screaming bumpy ride.
Climb - 1 mile slight downhill and then one of the toughest 2.35 mile uphill climbs you will ever try to clean. You will be begging for a switchback at the top, but there will be none to save your sorry butt. That's when you may want to try the power of prayer.
Trough - 1.11 miles - Elevation Profile
Downhill - This is a very fast downhill with no switchbacks. There has been quite a bit of work on this trail. It is now much cleaner and has a number of jumps placed throughout.
Climb - This is another tough climb. Again, get ready to pray, because you will want a switchback at some point during this one.
Other Trails:
Tuck-a-Way - 1.02 miles - between the 4-way and Jacob's Drop - Elevation Profile
Downhill - This is a nice fast and flowy trail with one nice 15" ledge toward the top.
Climb - This is a moderate climb up to the top. Nothing too difficult.
Jacob's Drop - 1.14 miles - between the Brushy Mtn. Fireroad and Tuck-a-Way or Comet.
Downhill - This is the 2nd steepest trail at the Cove. It can get out of hand quickly. Very fast .55 mile downhill at the start. The trail is an old access road. The start will take you over some loose shale and then a sharp left hander that has lots of loose rock and shale. From here it is crazy fast and straight, but as soon as the trail starts to veer left be on the lookout for some washout and then the pedal grabbing troughs. Take a moment at the bottom to get your forearms back on track.
Climb - This is about as steep as it gets. It will take skill to make it up to the top clean and without coming unclipped. Don't forget, there are easier ways to get to the top of this one.
Hemlock Tunnel - 1.95 miles - You will find this off of the Brushy Mtn Fireroad (1.66 miles from 4 Gorge or 2.14 miles from the Gate) or off of Jacob's Drop
Downhill - This is the steepest descent at the Cove. For this reason some people love it and others hate it. In the fall this downhill attracts a lot of debris and leaves. Be careful, you never know what's under those 6-12" of leaves. Once you are past the steep descent the trail is great.
Climb - Not recommended unless you need to put hike a bike on your cross training list. Before the steep climb you can access Araminta which, if maintained, is a nice option.
Araminta - .78 miles - Trail accessed between Comet and Hemlock Tunnel. I haven't been down on this trail for some time. I always liked it even though it was loaded with blowdowns and low hanging branches. Since then the trail has been cleaned up a time or two but you never know. On one side you have to climb up a shale covered fireroad called Kerncliff. It's short but it will put a hurtin' on you.
Comet - 2.28 miles - This is a trail accessed between Tuck-a-Way, Hemlock Tunnel, and Jacob's Drop.
Downhill - This starts out as a very fast downhill with some twists and turns. At the bottom the trail is rutted out and covered in loose shale. Once at the bottom the trail winds over a creek a couple times and then hits you with some moderate climbs. The trail finishes heading to the 4-way. This section is fast and twisty with a few downed trees that make for some small ledge launch pads.
Climb - Nothing too bad until you get to the bottom and have to climb. The climb starts with a sharp right hand turn into a steep shale covered rutted trail. You'll need skill, aerobic capacity, and a touch of luck to clean this one. But kudos to you if you can.
Fort Lewis Mountain - 17 mile loop with a jeep road climb, some advanced single track in the middle, and a 5 mile asphalt road finish.
Map - old map of loop.
Map 2 - Better map but missing trails off of main fire road.
Map 3 - An extension of map 2.
Map 4 - An extension of map 3.
Location: North of Salem off of Route 311. Turn left on Bradshaw Road. This is the mountain behind Mason's Cove Elementary School. Park at Mason's Cove Elementary (if school isn't in session). Ride Start: take Bradshaw road back towards 311 and take the first right onto Forest Acre Road. This will start you on the longest off road climb in Roanoke (almost 6 miles). It will start on asphalt and will come to a T in the road, take a right and this will turn into a dirt road and eventually take to to a yellow Forest Service Gate. The climb from the school will take you about an hour. At the top the dirt road will T, go left and around another Forest Service Gate. You will be on this grassy road for about a mile. Just as the road starts to take a steep drop there will be a trail off to the right (rock cairn and some orange flagging on the right). This is a fun rocky trail with two tough steep climbs. The trail will dump you out onto another grassy road, go right, there will be a few trails leading you around large downed trees, and then you will meet up to another jeep road coming up from the left. Keep heading straight and up. You've got a nice lung burning climb ahead. The road will come to a S route with small right turn and then a small left turn and at the top it will level off for a second. Here there will be a rock cairn on the right. This will take you down the Bad Wolf Trail. This is a really fun and fast downhill with 4 or more (I forget) switchbacks. You will eventually come to a creek that you will have to climb in and out of (you shouldn't get wet). From here the trail will become what looks like a creek bed. Look closely for the trail and it will eventually come back to single track and stop at a creek. Find a good place to cross and you're back to Bradshaw road. Rake a right and you have 5 mile one rolling asphalt back to the school.
Appalachian Trail - Miles and miles of great rocky and rooty trail with fantastic views and endless elevation gain and loss (hiking only).
Location: From Georgia to Maine; the easiest access points are on Catawba Mountain about 20 minutes North of Salem off Route 311 and just off the interstate in Daleville (exit 150) at the Park and Ride (climb over the guardrail and look for the white blazes).
Favorite AT Runs:
McAfee's Loop (7 or 10 miles - Moderate-Strenuous) - park at the trailhead on top of Catawba Mountain (first big mountain north of Salem) off of 311. From here head across the highway and start on the trail. Be very careful crossing 311 as there is a lot of traffic and visibility is limited. It is 3.5 miles to the top (you can head back down the trail to the road; and take the road back or take the trail back to the parking lot for the 7 mile loop). Or you can continue north on the AT until the trail joins up with a fireroad at the big powerlines (when the trail goes from single track to a 10ft wide trail you are at this point). Head right at the power lines and take this road all the way back to route 311 for a 10 mile loop.
Route 311 to route 779 (11.5 or 15 Miles Strenuous) - Once you climb up to McAfee's Knob, this section isn't too bad until you start the long climb up to Tinker Cliffs. It tends to hold a lot of leaves from the fall to spring (sometimes waist high). Some people will take this section to the Cliffs and then turn back to 311 for a 15 mile section. Others will stage a car at 779 and finish with a great 3 mile descent on the Andy Lane trail.
8 Mile Run to Dragon's Tooth (Strenuous). From the above, 311, parking lot you can stage a car and run south on the AT to Dragon's tooth. This is a common section that we used to run at night for a nice 8 mile run. Once you cross the second asphalt road (Newport Road) be on the lookout for the Boy Scout trail (About 1 mile up the hill. There will be a sign). This trail will go around the mountain, the Dragon's Spine, and bring you to the Dragon's Tooth Parking lot. I prefer this route because taking the AT instead of the Boy Scout Trail adds a lot of climbing and terrain that isn't conducive to running.
Dragon's tooth - 2.5 miles out and back for a 5 mile round trip (Moderate-Strenuous). I'd call this a hard run or intermediate hike. Get there by taking 311, 16 or so miles north of Salem, until you see the National Forest sign for the Dragon's Tooth Parking lot on the left of the road. The trail will leave the parking lot and take you on a gradual climb for about 1 mile. From here it gradually get steeper until you intersect with the AT. This point is a level spot called Lost Spectacles Gap. From here you will want to head right on the AT for another .5-.75 miles to the top of Dragon's tooth. This section has a lot of rocks to climb over and steel ladder rungs anchored into the rocks to help you climb up.
For those of you with a fear of heights or exposure to ledges - I'd recommend going left at Lost Spectacles Gap. This section of the AT will be less rocky and will take you to another great view without having to climb up so many rocks and ladders. Once you get enough of the view or to where the trail starts to lead you downward over the rocks, turn around and head back to the parking lot.
Andy Lane Trail - 4 mile uphill climb to Tinker Cliffs (Strenuous). The parking lot for this trail is hard to find. You will want to take 779 off of 311 at Catawba or from 220 in Daleville. From here it is about 5-6 miles to the parking lot. You will want to be on the lookout for other cars in the gravel parking lot. There are a few big stainless steel electrical boxes at the parking lot (they sometimes help give the parking lot away).
Tinker Mountain (6 Miles round Trip - Strenuous) - Park at the Park and Ride in Daleville just north of I-81 off of 220. Look for the big guardrail that leads you up the hill (around the back of the Motel and Gas Station to the right) onto a concrete slab. This will take you to the AT and up to Tinker Mountain. The usual turnaround point is Lookout Rock. This is a rock that looks out over Carvin's Cove. You can't miss it because the AT takes you right onto it. It even has a white blaze on the rock leading the way.
Route 220 to route 779 (12.5 Miles - Strenous) - This will require you staging a car at the end. This section has some of my favorite running and climbing sections in it. Once you climb up to the top of Tinker Mountain you will have some great running on the ridge. There are plenty of rocks to hop over on this section and you will get in two more 400ft butt burning climbs in this section.
Route 220 to route 311 (20 Miles - Strenuous) - This 20 mile section will have it all. This is one of the toughest sections of the AT that I have been on (and one of my favorites. I think it has about 5500ft of climbing in this section. My personal best time for this run is 3 hours and 50 minutes. The four hour mark is hard to achieve. I use this section as a time trial when training for an Ultra. When you reach the end Be very careful crossing 311, as there is a lot of traffic and visibility is limited.
Hollin's Side of the Cove - 15 mile loop (Strenuous) - Park at Hollin's side of the cove. Hike out on the road you came in on. About 100yards out of the gate you will see a clearing to the left where a gas line comes through. At the far edge of the gas line, where it meets the road there is an old trail that heads up to Tinker Mountain and the AT. At the top of the climb the trail kind of thins out. Keep climbing toward the power lines and left and you will eventually hit the AT. Once on the AT you will have about a 6.5 mile run when you will come to a creek and some picnic tables. From here you will have about a .5 mile to the Sawmill Branch trail that heads down to the Cove. If you come to the AT shelter you have gone too far. Keep a lookout to the left. The Sawmill Branch trail will be at a point where Carvin's Cove is painted on two trees that mark the sides of the trail entrance. Take the Sawmill branch down to where it intersects with the Arrowhead trail and head left. After about a .5 mile you will come to a gravel road. Go left and you will have 3.5 miles until you get back to your car.
Dragon's Back - 30 miles of Advanced level single track. You have a number of route options that you will have to connect with jeep
roads.
Location: About 25 minutes North of Salem off Route 311. This is the big mountain across the street from the Dragon's Tooth parking lot. You can also access North Mountain from forest service road; Wildlife Road and Broad Run Road.
I like the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #788 for these trails (also at Outdoor Trails). This mountain is loaded with lots of advanced level single track. There are 6 choices for Steep climbs to the ridge, up to a 15 miles of ridge top trail (depending on where you start, and steep forearm cramping descents. Options to the ridge are 1. across 311 from the Dragon's Tooth parking lot, 2-4. the deer, grouse, or turkey trail from Wildlife road, 5. Catawba Valley Trail across 779 from the Andy Lane trail, and 6. the end of North Mountain at Stone Coal Gap.
The Dragon's back race course: Up the Grouse (middle trail), right at the ridge for 1 mile to the Deer, down to the fire road and back to the Grouse, up the Grouse, left at the ridge and then 3 miles to the Turkey trail, down to the fire road and back to the car.
I also like to park at the gate at Wilderness Road. From here it is a nice warm up on 311 to the steep climb across 311 from the parking lot for Dragon's Tooth. This climb is steep and has a few hiker switchbacks that are two tight for me to ride. But once on the ridge it is a nice ride to the Turkey Trail. Once down the Turkey trail it is a long up and down ride on the fire road back to the car.
And, another route that will have you on some fire roads and pavement is the climb up Catawba Valley Trail to the ridge (Park at the Andy Lane Parking lot). From here take a right for a tough up and down ride on the ridge that will have you wondering if it will ever end. You will finally drop down for a great downhill to Stone Coal Gap. from here you will take a right down to route 606. This will take you to 779 where you will take a right back to your car.
Potts Mountain - 30+ miles of advanced double track, fire road, and single track.
Location - North of Salem on Route 311 to New Castle. Go past New Castle a couple of miles until you find Route 611 and head right/east. Take a left on Route 617 to the Pines Campground on your left.
This is Craig County's big mountain. It used to be home of a a mountain bike race. I went out here to do the course a few years ago and didn't know what I was getting into. This place has one of the steepest climbs I've been on. The ride starts and ends at the Pines Campground. To start you continue west on route 617 for 2.8 miles and then you head left down a hill, cross a creek, and start a vicious climb up to the ridge. This part of the ride is on a jeep road that is used for jeep trials. It has some very technical sections for being a road. This will be a great place to see what you are made of or a great place to hone your hike a bike technique. If you come out here to ride I'd love to know how it goes. You will take the ridge to FS 176. If you are tired now, I'd recommend bailing on the rest of the course (and I hate bailing early, but you were warned).
From here the course requires a bit of orienteering. I'd take the Trails Illustrated map that corresponds with this area for a reference.
When I was out here all of the trails were in pretty good shape but I could see that this wasn't a place that gets a lot of traffic. I'd say this area sees more hunting than any other type of recreation, and hunters aren't known for their trail maintenance work.
OK, cross FS 176 and and continue on the road until you find the cove trail to your left. If I remember this correctly, this trail had some pretty steep downhill sections. At the point where you catch the New Pott's Arm Connector trail you will be in for some more climbing. When you come to the Pott's Arm trail will have a mostly downhill ride to FS 804.1. This section has some wheel eating rock gardens (I endo'd a couple times. Style points were awarded). You might even knock a couple teeth off of your big chain ring.
At FS 804.1 I headed left to route 176 and headed back to the Pines. The map references the Cove Branch Farm. This was part of the former race but I know nothing about this private property or the owners. I'd suggest staying away from that part of the map/course.
Glenwood Horse Trail (GHT) - This is a 65+ mile network of advanced single track and jeep roads along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Natural Bridge Station to Camp Bethel outside of Nace. I like the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #789 for these trails (also at Outdoor Trails). You can find a great story and pictures from the Hellgate 100k from the Roanoke Times
Map #1 and #2 of the Hellgate 100k Trail run. I participated in the first year of this race in 2003 and finished 9th. This race starts at 12:01am on the second Saturday in December. There isn't another trail ultra quite like it.
Common loops I ride:
1. Park at Black Horse Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), travel south on the parkway to the first Forest Service Road (FSR). This is Salt Pond Road. The road crosses the BRP and there is a gate on both sides of the BRP. Go left. You will take this FSR to Quarry road on the left. Follow this road until you come to a horse trail sign. The trail goes up a rocky trail to the left. The trail has good climbs, rocky ridge riding, and rocky descents. The trail will eventually dump you on a gravel road. Take a left and this will take you to the Day Creek Day Use area. From here you can either climb 2.8 miles up to where you are parked or continue straight on the GHT. If you continue on you are in for a long, long ride. Maybe you should wait for another day.
2. Find your way to Camp Bethel. Continue past the camp on the gravel road and park at the 4 way about a mile up the road. You will want to take the road straight in front of you with the yellow gate. From here ride up to Black Horse Gap on BRP. Cross the parkway and head down. Be forewarned, this is a fast, fast, fast downhill with some whoops in it. You will go down to a gate, go around, and then in about .8 miles when you get to the parking area you will want to look towards the left side of the road for the GHT trail entrance. This section is about 5.8 miles long but will feel like 10. The trail will dump you out on a dirt road. Take a left. This will take you to Boblett's Gap on the BRP. The climb is about 3.2 miles. Go under the parkway and take the trail to the right. This will take you to the Boblett's Gap overlook. From here take a right/south on the BRP. After about 3 miles on the Parkway you will find a trail sign on top of a hill. This is Spec. Mines. If you miss it, keep riding on the BRP and you will end up at Black Horse Gap again. Just go down to the car. Careful on the descent, there are a lot of rocks and lots of space for speed. If you found Spec Mines you are in for a treat. This is a great downhill trail. Hopefully it has been maintained, but be careful for blowdowns or deadfall around corners. Eventually this will take you to a gravel road. Take a left and you have a couple of miles to your car.
3. You can piece a couple different rides from the above two routes.