Five-Star Trails: Roanoke and the New River Valley: A Guide to the Southwest Virginia's Most Beautiful Hikes

by Johnny Molloy

Overview

Five Star Trails: Roanoke and the New River Valley showcases 40 hikes in the mountains, valleys, and Piedmont of Western Virginia. The guide includes an array of treks reflecting the area's superlative scenery, from wild waterfalls in the New River Valley to highland wildernesses of the Jefferson National Forest, historic paths along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and waterside strolls beside Smith Mountain Lake. It is authored by the Southeast's most experienced outdoors writer, Johnny Molloy.

Hikes in this book range from just under 2 miles to over 10 miles, creating opportunities for hikers of all ages, and will accommodate your desires for hikes of multiple lengths, depending on mood, time, and company. Trail configurations are diverse as well—including out-and-back hikes, loops, and balloon loops. Hike settings vary from developed county parks to the back of beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634042208
Publisher:	Menasha Ridge Press
Publication date:	07/01/2018
Series:	Five-Star Trails
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Johnny Molloy is a writer and adventurer based in Johnson City, TN. He has written more than 40 books about the outdoors, including hiking, camping, and paddling guidebooks; comprehensive guidebooks about specific areas; and books about true outdoors adventures throughout the Eastern United States. Johnny writes for various magazines and websites, and he is a columnist and feature writer for his local paper, the Johnson City Press.

Table of Contents

Overview Map inside front cover

Overview Map Key i

Dedication vii

Acknowledgments vii

Preface viii

Recommended Hikes xiii

Introduction 1

New River Valley 23

1 Sentinel Point and Falls of Mill Creek 24

2 Angels Rest 30

3 Cascade Falls 35

4 Bald Knob and Bear Cliffs 40

5 Pandapas Pond Walk 46

6 Kelly Knob 51

7 Mountain Lake Wilderness 56

8 Flat Peter Loop 61

9 Potts Valley Rail Trail 67

10 Hanging Rock 72

Lower Craig Creek Valley 79

11 Roaring Run Falls and Furnace 80

12 Upper Hoop Hole Hike 85

13 Lower Hoop Hole Hike 90

14 Craig Creek Loop Trail 95

15 Fenwick Mines Walk 100

16 Sulphur Ridge Circuit 105

17 Lick Branch Loop 110

Catawba 117

18 Tinker Cliffs 118

19 Hay Rock and Beyond 123

20 McAfee Knob 128

21 North Mountain Loop 133

22 Dragons Tooth 138

23 Audie Murphy Monument 143

Peaks of Otter 151

24 Apple Orchard Falls Loop 152

25 Fallingwater Cascades 157

26 Flat Top 162

27 Johnson Farm via Harkening Hill 167

Roanoke and Smith Mountain Lake 173

28 Read Mountain Preserve 174

29 Explore Park Hike 179

30 Lake View Walk 184

31 Turtle Island Hike 189

32 Mill Mountain Park Loop 194

33 Chestnut Ridge Loop 199

34 Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve 205

The South 213

35 Falls Ridge Preserve 214

36 Bottom Creek Gorge 219

37 Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve 224

38 Waid Park 229

39 Smart View 234

40 Rock Castle Gorge 239

Appendix A Area Outdoor Retailers 245

Appendix B Hiking Clubs 246

Index 247

About the Author 254

Map Legend Inside back cover