Hikes in Botetourt County

Hoop Hole Loop has two loops. The lower loop is 4 miles and skips the views from the ridge top and the extended loop is 9 miles. Both loops offer beautiful views of the streams cascading over rocks and swimming holes.

One of the state's tallest and most spectacular waterfalls. Singing streams, dancing down cascades. Huge boulders. Thick stands of forest, ranging from hemlocks to hardwoods. Stunning vistas of the Shenandoah Valley, especially in leaf-off. Towering bluff lines.

Read Mountain is a 243 acre Roanoke County park. It is a ~1.9 mile (3.8 round trip) out/back trail from the parking lot to the Buzzard Rocks summit. This is a moderately difficult hike and you are rewarded with a spectacular view of the valley.

Carvins Cove is the 2nd largest municipal park in the nation and a mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian paradise. It is chock full of both relatively flay, low-lying trails and steep climbs with awesome descents.

Roaring Run is an excellent hiking trail for the whole family. The easy, well marked trail begins at an historic iron furnace and winds back and forth along the Roaring Run stream. You will pass rock walls, cascading water, and cross five footbridges before ending at beautiful Roaring Run Falls.

Tinker Ridge Trail crosses Tinker Creek, which is the site depicted in Annie Dillard's "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek," then ascends Tinker Ridge providing the most spectacular views of Carvins Cove Reservoir and the Roanoke Valley.

Day hike (out and back). 6.6 miles round trip. Hike the Andy Lane trail to intersection with Appalachian Trail and continue for unparalleled 180 degree views.

Located in Craig County, this 5 mile loop offers you a chance to leave everything behind. Odds of running into another hiker - zero.

The lowest of the three Peaks of Otter, Harkening Hill is the only one with a "loop" trail that swings by the top. A gain of just under 1000 feet from the parking lot makes it a decent walk. Many interesting granite boulder formations are found on Harkening Hill

Classic Virginia Hike: 5.2 mile round trip (out & back) hike at the Peaks of Otter. A lovely trail full of wonderful views, large rock formations, and flora that changes with each turn of the trail, including huge oak, poplar, hickory and beech trees, mountain laurel, rhododendron, and wildflowers.