Appalachian Trail

Giles contains 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail, running across the northern section of the county from Dismal Falls past Mountain Lake. a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately 2,179 miles long. One of the most scenic portions of the trail runs through the northern part of Giles county, including breathtaking hikes up Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee’s Knob and Angle’s Rest.
Click here to view a map of the Appalachian Trail

War Spur & Wind Rock Trails

These trails are moderately easy trails through the Mountain Lake Wilderness as both trails lead to scenic overlooks with elevations from 3100- 3800 feet. Some of this trail follows the Appalachain Trail eastward. The Wind Rock Overlook offers sweeping views of Rocky Mountains (3300'), Fork Mountain (3645') and Peter's Mountain (4000').
Click here to view a map of the War Spur and Wind Rock Trails

   

New River Trail

New River Trail State Park has been designated an official National Recreation Trail by the U. S. Department of the Interior. The park parallels 39 miles of the New River, which is one of the world's oldest rivers and among a handful of rivers flowing north. The New River Trail is Virginia’s longest linear state park. The Trail parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles. This official national Recreation Trail takes you through two tunnels, three major bridges and 30 smaller bridges and trestles. Begin the trail in historic downtown Pulaski or off rt. 99.
Click here to view a map of the northern section of the New River Trail
Click here to view a map of the southern section of the New River Trail

Pandapas Pond Mountain Bike Trails

Located within cycling distance of Blacksburg, this park is nestled in the hills of Jefferson National Forest. Pandapas Pond has something for everyone - for a technically easy ride, hop onto the Poverty Creek Trail, which runs the length of the park, and then ride back on the fire road. For more of a more technical challenge, take any of the numerous side trails off of the Poverty Creek Trail or off the Fire Road, which are steep and intermittently rocky.

Basic Directions:
From Blacksburg, take 460 west for 3.5 miles. On your right will be Route 621 (Craig Creek Road). On your left will be a forest service road taking you to the Pandapas Pond and Poverty Creek Trail areas. There is an upper and lower parking area on this road. The lower parking area has a trail starting on each end. Both will take you to Pandapas Pond
Click here to view a map of the Pandapas Pond Mountain Bike Trails

Huckleberry Trail

The Huckleberry Trail is an asphalt-paved bike/pedestrian path. The trail currently runs from the Blacksburg library to the New River Mall. There are distance markers every half mile. At 2.83 miles it crosses the road to Warm Hearth, at 3.43 miles it crosses Hightop, and at 3.90 it crosses Merimac. The total distance from the library to the mall is 5.762 miles.

There are benches spaced along the trail where you can rest and enjoy the scenery. Parking is available at both ends as well as near Warm Hearth and the Hightop and Merrimac crossings.

Blacksburg Entrance located on Miller Street, 201 Clay Street SW
Montgomery County Entrance located off of 751 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060
Christiansburg Entrance located at New River Valley Mall
We are working to extend the trail along 460 Bypass to the Hethwood community and eventually to Blacksburg's Gateway Park.
Click here to view a map of the Huckleberry Trail

Rock Castle Gorge National Recreation Trail

This trail starts easy at the entrance to the Rocky Knob campground around milepost 167 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then the trail descends over three miles into the backcountry camping area in the bottom of the gorge. The strenuous and rugged nature of the trail reveal part of the reason this pathway was given National Recreational Trail status. Also, in the springtime to early summer, nearly 200 varieties of wildflowers are visible along the trail area. The rest of the trail is a 7.3-mi ascent back out of the gorge on the return trail. You'll see tunnels of rhododendren and other thick mountain foliage, a splashing stream, and high open meadows. The entire loop is 10.8 miles and the elevations range from 1,700 to 3,572 ft. A few small historic structures are visible along the trail, including a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.

Milepost 167 Blue Ridge Parkway
Floyd, Virginia 24091
Click here to view a map of Rock Castle Gorge National Recreation Trail

 

Radford Riverway

Nearly 3miles of paved surface, ADA accessible multipurpose trail that traverses through Bisset andWildwood Parks. The trail connects the City of Radford to Radford University and serves as a recreation and local commuter route. Future plans include expanding the trail to into West Radford toward Forest Avenue and looping back to the existing terminus at Sundell Drive.