Blue Ridge Parkway
THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY – AMERICA’S FAVORITE DRIVE in THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA
Listen to Five Mile Mountain Road by The Bluegrass Brothers here
HIKING SPOTS ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
The following Blue Ridge Parkway hiking trails include only those that are about a mile or longer. Other easy to moderate “leg stretching” loops can be found all along the Parkway, especially to points of interest. I have highlighted in bold those within a drive of The Claiborne House that our guests enjoy. The others are there for you to enjoy after you check-out and wish to have one last hike on the way home.
- Milepost 6 – From Humpback Gap parking lot to Humpback Mountain hike part of the Appalachian Trail = 2 strenuous!
- Milepost 18.5 – 20 – White Rock Falls Trail follows a stream to small falls = 3 moderate
- Milepost 60.8 – Otter Creek Trail begins at Otter Creek Campground = 3.5 moderate
- Milepost 63.1 – Otter Lake Trail goes around Otter Lake = .8 moderate
- Milepost 78.4 – Apple Orchard Falls Trail = 1.2 strenuous
- Milepost 83.1 – Fallingwater Cascades Trail – a National Recreation Trail = 1.6 moderate
- Milepost 83.5 – Flat Top Trail leads to highest of three prominent peaks = 4.4 moderate
- Milepost 85.7 – Abbott Lake Trail loops around Abbott Lake = 1 easy
- Milepost 85.9 – Elk Run Trail is a self-guided nature loop from Peaks of Otter Visitors Center = .8 easy
- Milepost 85.9 – Johnson Farm Loop Trail from Peaks of Otter = 2.1 moderate
- Milepost 85.9 – Harkening Hill Trail from Peaks of Otter = 3.3 moderate
- Milepost 86 – Sharp Top Trail from the camp store to the summit of Sharp Top Mountain = 1.5 strenuous!
- Milepost 91-95.9 – Appalachian Trail to various overlooks = 7 moderate
- Milepost 96 – Spec Mines Trail is a U.S. Forest Service trail = 2.8 strenuous
- Milepost 97 – Appalachian Trail to Blackhorse Gap = .8 moderate
- Milepost 121.4 – Roanoke Valley Horse Trail parallels Parkway = 18.5 moderate
- Milepost 154.5. – Smart View Loop Trail around the picnic area = 2.6 moderate
- Milepost 167.1 – Rock Castle Gorge Trail = 10.8 strenuous
- Milepost 167.1 – Hardwood Cove Nature Trail = .8 moderate
- Milepost 169 – Black Ridge Trail from the Rocky Knob Visitors Center = 3.1 moderate
- Milepost 169 – Rocky Knob Picnic Loop Trail = 1 easy
- Milepost 176.2 – Mabry Mill’s Mountain Industry and Round Meadow Creek Loop Trails = 1 easy to moderate
FISHING AND SWIMMING
A state fishing license is required and creel limits are enforced. Please inquire at Visitors Centers or Ranger Stations along the Parkway.
- Milepost 16 – Sherando Lake is a recreation/camping area in the George Washington National Forest. Swimming facilities include a sandy beach, a shaded grass area and a bathhouse with warm showers..
- Milepost 58-63.6 – Otter Creek runs 10 miles down the Blue Ridge to the James River, and Otter Lake is accessible from the Otter Creek Campground. Fishing only.
- Milepost 71 – Petites Gap to Cave Mountain Lake, seven miles off the Parkway in Jefferson National Forest, is ideal for swimming and fishing!
- Milepost 84-87 – Peaks of Otter Lodge features a 24-acre lake stocked with smallmouth bass, catfish, golden shiners, sunfish and blue gill.
- Milepost 115 – Virginia’s Explore Park offers fishing in the Roanoke River as well as kayaking and canoeing.
MILEPOST SERVICES
- Milepost 0 – Rockfish Gap leads north to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.
- Milepost 5-9.3 – Humpback Rocks features Appalachian culture sites, hiking, access to Sherando Lake to campground with swimming, fishing and picnicking. There’s also a gas station, gift shop, camp store and Visitors Center.
- Milepost 58-63.6 – Otter Creek and James River for Appalachian culture sites, hiking, campground, picnic area, hiking, fishing, restaurant and gift shop.
- Milepost 86 – Peaks of Otter features Appalachian culture sites, a Visitors Center, gas station, camp store, picnic area, campground, lodge, hiking and fishing. Shuttle bus to Sharp Top for a fee.
- Milepost 120 – Roanoke Mountain features Virginia’s Explore Park for Appalachian culture, campgrounds, picnic area and hiking. Roanoke is the largest city off the Parkway for The Claiborne House B&B, restaurants, gas stations, markets and museums.
- Milepost 154.5 – Smart View for picnics and hiking.
- Milepost 169 – Rocky Knob features a Visitors Center, gift shop, cabins, campground, picnic area, hiking and fishing.
- Milepost 176.1 – Mabry Mill features Appalachian culture, gift shop, restaurant and hiking.
- Milepost 210 – Blue Ridge Music Center for Appalachian culture and outdoor amphitheater with performances throughout the summer.
