Located primarily on an old logging grade. You will pass many scenic areas such as a 20' waterfall, mountain overlooks and the Devils Bathtub which is an excellent area where hikers will see the stream racing down a rock chute, shirl through the tub and race downstream....
Known as “Vanderbilt’s First Choice” and “God’s Thumbprint,” beautiful Burke’s Garden is Virginia’s highest valley, and its largest rural historic district. This bowl shaped valley carved out of the top of a mountain offers the most breathtaking scenery, with fertile farmland, abundant wildlife, rare bird watching, peaceful biking and adventurous hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Enjoy a traditional Amish meal at Mattie's Place or the Burke's Garden General Store, enjoy traditional and contemporary Appalachian art at...
There are many unique and interesting things to see along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Carroll County. Aside from overlooks and historic and scenic waysides, are geological aspects of the landscape. The Volunteer Gap location along the parkway presents the visitor with an interesting panorama of a "mountain gap." One usually associates a mountain with a narrow pass through the mountains. Here in the Blue Ridge Plateau region, a gap is a somewhat large bowl...
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34-mile rail-trail that is considered one of the best bike trails in the nation. From Abingdon to Alvarado the trail crosses rolling farmland, and then slowly changes to a high mountain trail between Damascus, VA and Whitetop Station, inside Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.The most popular activity on the trail is a pleasant, 17-mile bike ride from Whitetop Station to Damascus. With a 5% downhill grade most of the...
The Channels Natural Area Preserve, located within the Channels State Forest, is managed by the Department of Forestry in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation.The preserve name is derived from the maze-like system of sandstone crevices and boulders that occur near the summit of Middle Knob on Clinch Mountain. The Channels were likely formed while the high-elevation sandstone cap was under the influence of permafrost and ice wedging during the last ice age. These forces shattered...
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...
Travelers on the Blue Ridge Parkway will enjoy some of the 30 miles of scenery along this stretch within Carroll County, Virginia. The county offers an easy access to the parkway at Fancy Gap from I-77 (Exit 8). Travelers on the parkway may wish to travel south from Fancy Gap to Milepost 203.8 for an elevated perspective (2,980 ft)of the Carolina Piedmont below at an elevation of 1,000 feet. The overlook typifies the grandeur of what make...
There are many unique and interesting things to see along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Carroll County. In addition to overlooks and historic and scenic waysides, are geological aspects of the landscape. The Orchard Gap location presents the visitor with an interesting panorama of a "mountain gap." One usually associates a mountain with a narrow, deep pass through the mountains. Here in the Blue Ridge Plateau region, a gap is a somewhat large bowl landform. Historically, the gaps...
Enjoy a variety of scenic curves and interesting changes in the terrain as you follow either of the two sections of this byway.The first section begins at Troutdale, VA. You will drive west for 13.2 miles over Virginia Route 603 to Konnarock. VA. You will traverse the heart of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Highway 603 is a two-lane paved road.The second section of the byway leads you 32.5 miles east from Damascus, VA...
Come see nature at its best as you ride from Hemlock Cove up to Buzzards Roost, adjacent to the Big Survey Wildlife Management Area. Our 4.5 miles ride takes approx 90 minutes and you will make stops for photo opps and learning about the history and natural history of this amazing area. Travel the old wagon road from Austinville to Wytheville and see where they made charcoal during the civil war. Learn about Horse Heaven...