Being so close to the well known Appalachian trail, and in the core of one of the most visited area of the Appalachian mountains, we can only recommend you to stay over the week-end and enjoy one or more of the great outdoor activities the region has to offer.
Locals can also be contacted for advises and we will provide guides, books, maps, possibly loan material, or orientate you to local group for your chosen activity. We are also suggesting these activities as an alternative if you would like to skip the social event for something closer to Blacksburg.
Click on links for further details and maps about trails or other suggested activities.
1) Hiking
Near Blacksburg
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Huckleberry trail (walking, rental bicycle…) (very easy), possibility to take the extra coal mine, going uphill around area where coal was extracted. Some signs are placed to explain the history (moderate). Starts behind Blacksburg library and goes to Christiansburg sport center (13 miles total trail). Flat and paved very popular trail, formerly a path to carry coal from local mines. Generally not crowded, except for some portions on sunny days. Perfect for someone looking for a easy hike close to the university or a short bike trail
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Cascade trailhead in Pembroke (moderate or difficult with last part). One of the most popular trails in the area. Can be crowded, better to avoid on Saturdays. $5 parking lot. Wonderful cascades, hike along the river. A little long to do the full loop: first cascade, main huge cascade, upper cascade, then Barney wall (really worth the view for people in good condition). Quite an easy hike, but a little long, to the first cascade. Most recommended hike in the area. 3 to 4 hour loop to/from the first cascade (following local map recommendation: going up along the river, down through the forest), 4 to 5 hour loop for the second cascade, 5 to 7 hours loop to go to Barney's wall. 30 minutes from campus
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Pandapas pond and park, hike around the lake (easy). Located out of Blacksburg on US road 460 (15 minutes from campus). On weekend, you are likely to meet half of Blacksburg people in this park! The drive towards WV from Blacksburg also worth to go there.
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Stiles Falls in Shawsville (only if no kid’s camps) (moderate) not very long hike, mostly along a river (warning: a few crossings), with a nice cascade at the end. Sometimes closed due to Christian fellowship kid’s camps. 1.5 to 3 hours in/out total and really worth it. About 30 minutes from campus, US 460 East. It is one of the shortest and still wonderful hiking trail in the area, if you would like to enjoy hiking off pavement with the impression to be "in the mountain", but don't have time to go for a longer one. There are some nice tables along the river for getting some food after the hike, provided there is no kid's camp the day you are going there.
- Falls Ridge Preserve, Elliston (check if re-open) Short loop with a nice water fall. Possibility to hike uphill in the forest. Views are limited. The short loop along the river and water falls is interesting. Parking very limited, private park. check if re-open after a long closure for road improvement. Suggested if you would like to enjoy falls but don't want to hike for a long time.
Near Roanoke
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McAfee Knob (moderate) in Catawba. Super popular trail on the Appalachian Trail. Wonderful view, and take your picture "from the knob" (without falling), also not too difficult hike. Warning: it can be very crowded and it gets hard to find parking. Not recommended on week-end due to the crowd, but you can go an evening to enjoy the sunset. Known as the "most photographed" place in the Appalachian trail. 3 to 5 hours, 2 possible ways: one easy, one moderate, with possibility to make a look (up via the moderate, down via the fireroad which is very easy). 25 minutes from campus via a wonderful county road.
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Dragon Tooth trail (a bit more difficult), same as above, same area. Great views on the rim. Warning: it can be very crowded and it gets hard to find parking.
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Hay Rock (moderate to difficult) warning: quite steep for the first 1.5 hour. 5 hour in/out to the rock, or 2.5 hour total to the first view point, 3.5 hour total to the second one. Hay Rock is a wonderful trail on the Appalachian Trail system, not as popular and crowded as the well known ones. It is highly recommended for the views on top of the rim. 1.5 hour up the rim, through the forest. Then, the trail is quite flat on the rim. There are several view points on the rim, recommended is to stop at the first 2, then head to the giant rock formation. It is possible to climb the rock from the back (warning: slippery) to enjoy a higher view point. View on the Roanoke Valley and the James River.
- Read Mountain (easy/ moderate) Very nice short hike in the city of Roanoke. Going up to a rim over the Roanoke Valley, providing great views. About 1.5 hour total. Great for a short hike near the city, with a nice shaded trail in the forest. Some climb up. Quite popular for locals, not very touristic.
- Poor Mountain (moderate) warning: start to hike down, and then up. Nice trail in Roanoke. Going first downhill towards a river with a small fall. The loop is then going up and provides great views of the Roanoke Valley. Beware that the trail is not always well marked and parking is limited. It is however recommended as it is one of the nicest hike, starting in the city of Roanoke.
Near Floyd / Blue Ridge Parkway
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Buffalo Preserve (warning: 1 hour drive but worth the view), near Floyd (quite easy). If you would like to enjoy stunning view without taking a long and difficult trail, this is the one for you. Enjoy an almost 360° view on the valley from the rim, after a short climb through the wood, also with nice views (2 ways, 30 min to 1 hour / loop possible). Not far from Blue Ridge Parkway to combine with a scenic drive.
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Devil Marbleyard (warning: 1 hour drive) (moderately difficult) If you want some sport challenge, enjoy a wonderful view from the top of the Marbleyard. The name is coming from the large boulders to climb for 1 to 2 hours to the top of the mountain (good luck!), and if you take the challenge on a hot day, you will understand where "devil" comes from. Still one of the best hike in the area if you have good enough shoes and want some adventures. It is accessible from Blue Ridge Parkway to combine with a scenic drive.
Longer drive
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Natural Bridge (1.5 hour towards North I 81): small park with a nice paved walk along a river, with a huge natural stone bridge. It is one of the major curiosity of this area. Very popular and can be crowded. At the same park, there are fe option to hike on top of the rim and to visit caves. There are also plenty of other less popular hikes in the same area. Near Lexington, VA.
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The Channels, Rosedale, VA (2 hour south of Blacksburg). Impressive rock formation with a trail through some "narrows", between rock cliffs. The park is huge, offering many other trails and wildlife observation spots. Due to its remote location, it is likely to be less crowded than other popular parks in the region.
2) Parks, with plenty of wonderful trails or any kind leisure activities
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Jefferson National Forest (everywhere) Tons of trails, all difficulty level, some remote and some more popular - also offers free camping spots
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Claytor lake, Radford, VA. 35 minutes from campus (very popular, with plenty of water/leisure activities)
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Mount Roger National Recreation Area (1.5 hour south, offer the best hikes at higher elevation)
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Plenty of other state parks!
3) Cultural
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Movie theater in Blacksburg (Blacksburg Lyric Theater)
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Drive-in movies in Christiansburg (Starlite)
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Summer events: Floyd, VA (1 hour drive). Multiple locations have summer events. Floyd is the most known in the area, mainly for the Floyd music festival at the end of July.
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Many summer concerts and events in villages
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Pedagogical farms (Sinkland in Christiansburg…) have many events over the summer such as the sunflower day, craft markets…
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Christiansburg / Blacksburg museums (but very small), Roanoke painting museum (also small)
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Historic Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg (10 min walk from physics dpt)
4) Winery / Brewery
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The region is well know for its multiple wineries and breweries. Stop by one of them for a taste of local wines. Some local ones we can recommend are: Beliveau farm (Blacksburg), Chateau Morrisette (Floyd), Blue Ridge Winery (after Roanoke), Parkway Brewery (Salem), Rising Silo Brewery (Blacksburg), ...
5) Caving:
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Dixie Caverns in Salem (35 min from Blacksburg) visit takes 2 hours + antique store, possibility to go to Explore Park after the visit. Reservation is needed, but you can show up and ask for availability for a tour. All tours are guided.
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On your drive back to Northern Virginia, you can also visit Luray caverns or other famous ones. Most are in the Shenandoah are (North of Blue Ridge) near Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, ...
6) Driving scenic roads:
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Scenic road from Blacksburg to Catawba,
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other scenic roads down south to Floyd and to the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can opt to take the Blue Ridge Parkway instead of I 81 if you are driving back to the coast.
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Going up on US road 460 West to West Virginia (North of Pearisburg area is great)
7) Outdoor sports (other than hiking):
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Swimming Aquatic center Christiansburg
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Kayaking on New River (Radford Bisset Park, or Pembroke area) or James River (Roanoke / or more East). Multiple locations and boat launch. Several places offer rentals.
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Golf: in Blacksburg (VT green), Claytor lake...
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Bicycle along the New River Trail, going 57 miles South along the beautiful New River (need to drive there)
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Fishing: plenty of rivers and lakes in the area. Fresh Water license for VA required, check for local rules. One can fish trout, bass, ...
