Hiking Crabtree Falls Trail. Nelson County, Virginia

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1 Hiking Crabtree Falls Trail Nelson County, Virginia Directions to Trail: To reach the northern trailhead from the west, drive from the BRP (Tye River Gap, milepost 27.2) on VA I-56 East 6.6 miles to Crabtree Falls parking lot. From the east, at the junction with US Route 29 take VA I-56 west to Massie s Mill and about 12 miles to the parking lot. To reach the upper (southern) trailhead, use a 4WD or a high-axle vehicle on SR 826 (Crabtree Meadow Road). It is 2.7 miles West on VA I- 56 from the Crabtree Falls parking area. Turn left on SR 826 and go 3.7 miles to a large parking lot. Descriptions/Attractions: Cascading falls, scenic views, native vegetation. Facilities: The trail is in the George Washington National Forest. Length: 2.9 miles (4.6 km) only Difficulty: Strenuous

2 Chestnut Ridge Trail Roanoke, Virginia Directions to Trail: Leave Mill Mountain and get onto the Blue Ridge Parkway s Mill Mountain Spur Road and drive 0.2 miles past the Roanoke Mountain Campground to Chestnut Ridge Overlook. The campground has trailer and tent campsites (no hookups), flushing restrooms, and a waste disposal system. The Chestnut Trail makes a loop around the playground. The campground is open all year. The campground is closed from October 1 until May. Descriptions: This trail has gentle and moderate ascents and descents in a hardwood forest with mountain laurels and blueberries. Patches of galax, cat s claw, and woodland flowers are frequent. From the Mill Mountain Spur Road at Chestnut Ridge Overlook parking area and follow the red blazed trail left for 1.5 miles to SR 699 (Yellow Mountain Road). An access side trail to cross Mill Mountain is on the left; otherwise cross under the bridge left and continue south through the woods. At 2.1 miles there is a junction with a trail loop, left, around the campground, and again at 3.1 miles. At 4.5 miles reach SR 672. Across the road is a short access trail to the Roanoke Valley Horse Trail. It divides near Gum Spring Overlook. (From there it runs parallel to the BRP south to US 220 and north to cross SR 688.) Turn left on SR 672 and pass under the Mill Mountain Spur Road. Begin at ascent at 4.7 miles and reach the point of origin at 5.4 miles. Attractions: Historic site, wildflowers Facilities: N/A Length: 5.4 miles (8.6 km) round-trip Uses: Horseback riding and hiking Difficulty: Moderate

3 Peaks of Otter Bedford County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From Mill Mountain take the Blue Ridge Parkway s Mill Mountain spur road to the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the Parkway head North to mile post The Appalachian Trail passes only a few miles to the North and can be easily accessed via the Blue Ridge Parkway. Descriptions: The Peaks of Otter is formed by three mountains positioned in a triangular pattern - Sharp Top Mountain (3,875 feet), Flat Top Mountain (4,001 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,372 feet). A beautiful mountain lake rests at the triangle's center. The Peaks of Otter wilderness area is truly one of the Blue Ridge Mountain's best-kept secrets. Attractions: The Peaks of Otter Mountains are covered almost entirely with old growth hard wood forest except for a few mountain meadows, which abound with wild flowers and migrating butterflies. The Peaks of Otter area is protected and maintained by the National Park Service and Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. All trails are kept in excellent condition, and Abbott Lake well stocked with small mouth bass and bluegill. Fishing is permitted and a special short term Virginia state fishing license can be purchased at the lake. Wildlife abounds throughout the Peaks of Otter area with the white tailed deer leading the list. It is not unusual to see groups of twelve or more deer grazing close by the Blue Ridge Parkway in the early morning or evening. Bird watchers are never disappointed with many rare species residing or migrating along the Blue Ridge mountain range. Facilities: A Peaks of Otter camp store provides campers and hikers with necessary provisions, and a truly fine restaurant on the shore of Abbott Lake is famous throughout southwestern Virginia for its outstanding country cuisine. The restaurant is also a favorite and welcome diversion for through hikers along the Appalachian Trail. The Peaks of Otter restaurant main dining room offers a striking panoramic view of the lake with Sharp Top Mountain in the background. Excellent camping and RV facilities are available at the base of Sharp Top Mountain. The Blue Ridge Park Service has created some of the best and certainly most beautiful picnicking areas close to Abbott Lake. A babbling mountain stream winds its way through the entire area delighting children and adults alike with its cold, crystal clear water. Length: Flat Top Trail (1.7 miles), Sharp Rock Trail (1.5 miles) and Harkening Hill Trail (3.3 miles) Difficulty: Trail difficulty and length vary over a wide range--providing challenge to the experienced and unparalleled opportunity for the beginner or physically challenged.

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5 McAfee Knob Craig County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From Mill Mountain, drive down the Fishburn Parkway and onto Walnut avenue. Take a right onto Jefferson Avenue and then another right onto Elm Avenue. Next take 581 toward interstate 81. Take 81 south to Route 311 north. Appalachian Trail parking area is on Route 311 between Catawba and Roanoke/Salem outside Catawba. The large trailhead on top of 311 is hard to miss, especially if it s crammed with 50 or more cars as it often is on weekend afternoons with perfect weather. Pick up the AT across the road from the parking lot. Descriptions: In Virginia, McAfee Knob is the Appalachian Trail s poster and postcard image. Pick up an Appalachian Trail calendar and there s a good chance it s there. The hype is supported by the reality: McAfee Knob is the jutting end of a crazily tilted rocky mountain, sticking out into thin air like a diving platform. The view from the Knob sweeps around 270 degrees (everything except through the forest directly behind), surveying the Catawba Valley and North Mountain to the west, Tinker Cliffs to the north, and the Roanoke Valley to the east. The view to the east (or right, if looking straight as the Knob points) looks as if one is on approach to Roanoke Regional Airport, and the buildings of downtown Roanoke gleam in the sunlight when it s not too hazy. Further away, the Allegheny Mountains roll into away in waves to the western horizon and Sharp Top points skyward to the northeast. Attractions: Ever been to Africa? If not, Africa s been here, geologists say. Catawba Mountain and others nearby were formed, they say, when Africa crashed into North America more than 200 million years ago. Facilities: N/A Length: 3.5 miles (7 miles roundtrip) Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous depending on experience

6 Hiking Tinker Cliffs Botetourt County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From Mill Mountain, drive down the Fishburn Parkway and onto Walnut avenue. Take a right onto Jefferson Avenue and then another right onto Elm Avenue. Next take 581 toward interstate 81. Take 81 south to exit 140 and head North on Route 311. The trailhead is almost exactly halfway between Catawba and Daleville on Virginia 779. Take Virginia 311 from I-81 at Salem, go 8 miles west to Catawba, turn right on 779 at Catawba, then travel 8.3 miles to trailhead, located on the right just past a bridge and turn in the road. Or, go 1.5 miles on U.S. 220 North from I-81 near Hollins to Daleville and turn left 8.4 miles to the trailhead, on the left. Virginia 779 is also marked as Catawba Road and Bikecentennial bike route 76. Descriptions/Attractions: Bluff top views are the most prominent feature, but there are also nice creek drainages, intriguing rock formations, and lovely forests on the way. Even the part of the trail that goes through a cow pasture includes pleasant rushing streams and scenic views up toward surrounding ridges. The elevation range is from 1,300 feet near the trailhead and creek crossings to just a hair under 3,000 feet at the cliffs. Facilities: N/A Length: 5.6 miles (2.8 miles one way and backtrack). Difficulty: Moderate; some tough, steep stretches as it rises 1,700 feet in elevation. It s a little easier than it was before---it switchbacks more now---but there are still some ankle-grinding, breath-stealing slopes.

7 Dragon s Tooth Craig County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From Mill Mountain, drive down the Fishburn Parkway and onto Walnut avenue. Take a right onto Jefferson Avenue and then another right onto Elm Avenue. Next take 581 toward interstate 81. Take 81 south to Route 311 north. From I-81, Exit 141, take VA 311 north for 10 miles to Dragons Tooth Parking Lot--sign on left, just past Catawba Grocery (also on left). Descriptions: The Dragon's Tooth is a unique geologic feature located atop Cove Mountain on the Craig/Roanoke County line. Dragon's Tooth consists of spires of Tuscarora quartzite which outcrop on the top of Cove Mountain. The tallest "tooth" projects roughly 35 feet above the surrounding rock. The trail to Dragon's Tooth ascends steep, rugged outcrops of quartzite which form the spine of Cove Mountain and North Mountain. The spine is known as Dragon's Back. A difficult hike, Dragon's Tooth summit offers magnificent views of nearby and distant peaks year-round. Attractions: An amazing view over the Catawba Valley. Facilities: N/A Length: 2.6 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

8 Roaring Run Botetourt County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From Mill Mountain, drive down the Fishburn Parkway and onto Walnut avenue. Take a right onto Jefferson Avenue and then another right onto Elm Avenue. Next take 581 toward interstate 81. From I-81, Exit 150, take US Highway 220 north past Eagle Rock. At VA 615, turn left and go 5.5 miles to VA 621. Turn right onto VA 621 and go 1 mile to Roaring Run entrance on left. Driving distance from I-81 is 27.5 miles; estimated driving time is 40 minutes. Descriptions: Roaring Run Furnace, a 19th century iron furnace on National Register of Historic Places. Signs explain furnace operation. Trails run along old tram lines. Roaring Run Trail runs along a cascading stream to Roaring Run Falls. Attractions: Standing pre-civil war iron ore furnace, used for making iron ingots, stoves and other iron products for the building of America. Roaring Run Creek for trout fishing, stream-side picnic sites, and Iron Ore Trail leading to Hoop Hole Trail (2.4 miles). Facilities: Toilets are available at the trailhead. Picnic sites are found near the trail. Length: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous in places, but overall it s a moderate hike.

9 Hiking North Mountain Trail Craig County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From Mill Mountain, drive down the Fishburn Parkway and onto Walnut avenue. Take a right onto Jefferson Avenue and then another right onto Elm Avenue. Next take 581 toward interstate 81. From I-81, Exit 141, take VA 311 north for 9.8 miles to North Mountain Trailhead - sign on right, 300 yards past Catawba Grocery on left. Descriptions: Although just under 3,000 ft in elevation, the crest of North Mountain offers good views into both Catawba and Craig Creek Valleys. McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs are also visible. Attractions: The outstanding view. Facilities: There are no facilities on the North Mountain Trail System. Length: 13.2 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

10 Cascade Falls Trail Giles County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From Mill Mountain, drive down the Fishburn Parkway and onto Walnut avenue. Take a right onto Jefferson Avenue and then another right onto Elm Avenue. Next take 581 toward interstate 81. From I-81, take US 460 exit in Blacksburg. Take US 460 West to Pembroke (7 miles southeast of Pearisburg). In Pembroke, turn East onto paved VA 623. Follow VA 623 for 4.0 miles to the Recreation Area. Descriptions: A typical creek side hike beside the mesmerizing music of tumbling water. There are actually routes on each side of the creek an old road bed to the left and the trail crossing a bridge to the right that rejoin just over a mile past the trailhead. This provides the opportunity for a partial loop hike. The creek s valley becomes a tighter gorge with high rock bluffs as the trail approaches the waterfall. While the Cascades Trail terminates at the waterfall s pool, the Conservancy Trail continues on bluffs above the waterfall. This trail continues for 4 miles, but merely climbing the rock steps will give one a different vantage point on the falls. Attractions: Little Stony Creek, which flows over the ledge to create the nearly 70-foot waterfall labeled the Cascades, begins at Lone Pike Peak, a 4,054 foot summit accessible on the Appalachian Trail north of the famous Mountain Lake resort. Facilities: There are flushing toilets, water foundations, and garbage containers. Picnic area located near creek. Length: 2 miles (4 miles round trip) Difficulty: Moderate. Not a hard hike. A steady climb anyone should be able to do. Stay on the trail and behind rails on sections that rise up above the waterfall gorge. Also in this area, wet rocks from spray can make for dangerous footing, especially in icy weather.

11 Hiking-Carvins Cove Carvins Cove, Botetourt County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From US 11, drive South and follow it 5.6 miles to just north of Hollins. Turn right on Rt. 648/Reservoir Road and continue 2.6 miles to Carvins Cove. Description: Carvins Cove Recreation Area is a 13,000-acre watershed with a 600-acre reservoir. In addition to being a popular birding and boating spot among the local members of the community, this site also possesses great potential as a venue for wildlife watching. Several trails can be accessed from the main entrance so be sure to ask for a trail map at the office that you can also use at site 4 on the upper side of the reservoir. Attractions: The open waters and surrounding mudflats can provide excellent views of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, including gulls and terns. In the summer, belted kingfisher, green heron, double-crested cormorant, spotted sandpiper, and fly-over barn swallow patrol this reservoir and its edges. In the winter, look for bufflehead, common loon, occasionally common merganser, and even bald eagle. The surrounding woodlands are comprised of hardwood forests, pine stands, and mixed hardwoods. Within these wooded areas, look for resident great horned owl, wild turkey, and redtailed hawk. In the summer, look for nesting species such as scarlet tanager, wormeating warbler, yellow-breasted chat, great crested flycatcher, and whip-poor-will. Dragonfly diversity can be spectacular on a hot summer day. Look for widow and staty skimmers, black saddlebags, prince basketball, common green darner, and eastern amberwing. Butterflies flit among blooming wildflowers in colorful array; look for eastern tiger swallowtail, red-spotted purple, silver-spotted skipper, and great spangled fritillary.

12 Bottom Creek Gorge Montgomery County, Virginia Directions to Trail: From Mill Mountain, drive down the Fishburn Parkway and onto Walnut avenue. Take a left onto Jefferson Avenue and then a right onto Reserve Avenue Avenue. Next take a left onto Franklin Road which turns into 419. Take 419 north, to Route 221 at Cave Spring. Take winding Route 221 south for 13.8 miles to Route 644. You will pass through the town of Bent Mountain, then pass an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway on your left. About 0.6 miles past the Parkway entrance, turn right on Route 644. After 1.1 miles, the road forks. Stay to the right on Route 669. Continue straight on Route 669 (the road turns to gravel for a while)-do not turn right on Bottom Creek Road. After 1.5 miles, you will come to a "T." Turn right, staying on Route 669. Soon you will be driving alongside Bottom Creek on your left. After 1.3 miles, you will cross a small bridge. Look for the Preserve sign on your left. Turn left at the sign and go up the gravel driveway to the gate. Park on the side of the road at the gate. Walk about half a mile up the gravel road to the trailheads where you will find another sign and trail maps. Description: Forming the headwaters of the Roanoke River, Bottom Creek Gorge boasts spectacular scenery: the second highest waterfall in Virginia, virgin hemlocks and hundreds of wildflowers. Bottom Creek is a powerful mountain stream that forms a stair-step series of broad-basin waterfalls known as the "kettles." Attractions: One of the headwater streams of the South Fork of the Roanoke River, Bottom Creek boasts a 200-foot high waterfall. Flanking Bottom Creek are forests of mixed hardwoods (tulip poplar, maple, oak, hickory) and upland meadows. Five rare species thrive in this habitat. Facilities: There are no restrooms. Hours: Open Saturdays and Sundays from dawn to dusk Difficulty: Moderate

13 Hiking- Patterson Mountain Trail Patterson Mountain Trail System, Botetourt County, Virginia Directions: From I-81, take Exit 150 to US Rt. 220 north to Fincastle. Turn left on VA Rt. 606 and go 8.8 miles to VA Rt Turn right and go 0.3 miles to FS Road 184. Stay on FS 184 for 1.6 miles to the trailhead on the South end of Patterson Mountain. Attractions: At the highest point Patterson Mountain is 2250 feet in elevation, but it offers good views of Price Mountain, Bald Mountain, Potts Mountain, and Richpatch Mountain. The mountain is a mix of hardwoods and pine forest with some clear-cut views. Facilities: There are no facilities on the trail system. Length: Patterson Mountain Trail: Tucker Trail: Helms Trail: Elmore Trail: Loop Trail: 6.5 miles 1.0 miles 1.6 miles 2.5 miles 1.5 miles Difficulty: Difficult; a trail requiring some skill and challenge to travel.

14 Craig Creek Recreation Area at Oriskany Craig County, Virginia Directions: From I-81 in Salem take exit #140 for SR 311 north. Follow SR 311 north for 22.0 miles to New Castle. In New Castle, turn right on Rt. 615 and follow it northeast 12.1 miles to Rt Turn right and go 0.5 miles. Veer right onto the gravel road and continue 1.3 miles to the parking area at the end of the road. Description: The elevation is 1020 feet. The drive into Craig s Creek Recreation Area provides a vista of meadows and woodlands that follow Craig Creek. A splendid viewshed provides a prime opportunity for visitors to see the flora and fauna of this wildlife-rich habitat. This exquisite watercourse provides all types of wildlife for visitors. Fenwick Mines Directions: From the Craig s Creek Recreation Area at Oriskany, Virginia, return west on Rt. 817 to Rt Turn left and travel south 6.8 miles to Rt Turn right and go 0.1 miles to Rt Turn right and continue 1.3 miles to park on the right. Descriptions: The elevation is 1407 feet. Offering a wheelchair accessible trail that winds through the woods and across wetlands, Fenwick Mines is a pure treat to visit. This easy walk takes the wildlife watcher first into relatively young woodland that has grown back since the area was cleared for mining. After a few hundred years, the woods gave way to a series of shallow ponds. The trail climaxes at an overlook of the marshes. This spectacular view presents a good example of how nature can return from a strained to a growing and stable ecosystem. Additional trails that are not handicap accessible continue down Mill Creek.

15 Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail Salem, Virginia Directions to Trailhead: To the North Trailhead, go to the intersection of SR 311 and SR 419. Turn left onto SR 419 and travel south for 0.1 mile to Dutch Oven Road (south of SR 311). Turn left on Dutch Oven Road and follow the curve for less than 0.2 miles top the parking lot on the left. Description: The elevation is 1128 feet. This 1.7 mile cinder-surfaced trail meanders alongside Mason s Creek, and includes interpretive signage describing the Civil War Battle of Hanging Rock. This trail is well-maintained and well-traveled by local members of the community. Perhaps it is most popular as a recreational walking/jogging trail, but there is much nature to be explored by the patient naturalist.