Southwest Virginia
Trails
• Tazewell
Regional Map of
ail hian Tr
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4 • Saltville
Hungry Mother
3 State Park
Marion •
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Chilhowie •
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10
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Whitetop
1 Mt. Rogers Office 11
Grayson Highlands State Park
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il Tra
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Appalachian Trail at Mount Rogers
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Dickey’s Knob Trail below Mt Rogers office on Rt 26
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• Mountain City Park off Rt 16 North of Marion Hungry Mother State
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Salt Trail Saltville to Glade Spring
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Rowland Creek Falls Rt 600 Whitetop, Forest Svc Rd 84
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Seven Sisters Trail below Krenning Rd 717
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Comers Rock off US 21
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Hale Lake a little to the west of Comers Rock
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New River Trail at New River Trail State Park and Shot Tower State Park
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AT/VA Highlands Horse Trail, Elk Garden to Deep Gap off of SR 600, Whitetop Rd, near Mount Rogers
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Rhododendron Trail at Grayson Highlands State Park
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Crystal Springs Recreation Area just south of Wytheville off Rt. 21
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• Bland Trail Locations
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Wytheville • 12 New River Trail State Park
New
Rive
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7 New River
• Independence
• Galax
idg eR
• Sparta
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Due to the scale of this map, locations are approximate.
Blu
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Hillsville •
arkway Blue Ridge P
Dobson • Appalachian Trail at Mount Rogers………………………………… 4-5 Dickey’s Knob Trail……………………………………………… 6-7 Hungry Mother State Park……………………………………… 8-9 Salt Trail………………………………………………………10-11 Rowland Creek Falls………………………………………………12-13 Seven Sisters Trail………………………………………………14-15 Comers Rock……………………………………………………16-17 Hale Lake………………………………………………………16-17 New River Trail…………………………………………………18-19 AT/VA Highlands Horse Trail, Elk Garden to Deep Gap…………………20-21 Rhododendron Trail………………………………………………22-23 Crystal Springs Recreation Area……………………………………24-27
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Marion
Mileage: varies Difficulty: easy - moderate Blaze: white Usage: hike
Partne
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Mount Rogers Visitor Center & AT Trailhead Courtesy George Washington & Jefferson National Forest Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Visit the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Headquarters for information on recreation opportunities throughout the area and then take a quiet walk on the famous Appalachian Trail, a National Scenic Trail. This section of the Appalachian Trail allows visitors to experience a beautiful Virginia hardwood forest along with the flora and fauna. DIRECTIONS: From I-81 take Exit 45 to VA 16 South, follow VA 16 South for ~5 miles Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters will be on the right.
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Louise Chattfield
Locust Mountain
?
ership
Mount Rogers NRA Headquarters
Appalachian Trail at Mount Rogers Headquarters ?
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Marion
Mileage: 4.8 miles round trip Difficulty: difficult Blaze: none Usage: hike
Partne
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Parking for the trail is located just past Raccoon Branch Campground on the opposite side of the road. Dickey’s Knob Trail starts out close to campsite #4 and crosses several streams via foot bridges while climbing 2.4 miles to a beautiful cliff view of Rye Valley, Sugar Grove and beyond. Group size limited to 10 in wilderness areas. Bicycles not allowed in wilderness areas. DIRECTIONS: From I-81 take Exit 45 to VA 16 South, follow VA 16 South for ~12.5 miles, Trailhead will be in Raccoon Branch Campground near Campsite #4.
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?
Dickey’s Knob Trail Bridge Courtesy George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Louise Chattfield
Locust Mountain
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ership
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Mount Rogers NRA Headquarters
Dickey’s Knob Trail
Raccoon Branch Wilderness group size limited to 10 in wilderness areas. Bicycles not allowed in wilderness areas. Dickey’s Knob Trail
Raccoon Branch
Raccoon Branch
Dickey’s Knob Trail
Raccoon Branch
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NORTH
Mileage: varies Difficulty: easy to difficult Blaze: varies Usage: hike, bike
Hungry Mother State P
Camp Burson
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Blvd Park ail p o Tr ke Lo
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Hungry Mother Lake
617
West Lakevi ew
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CCC Trail 1.9 mi
Hungry Mother State Park, one of the first Virginia State Parks, boast a number of wonderful hiking and mountain biking trails all focused around a breathtaking 108 acre lake. Molly’s Knob trail, a difficult 1.9 mile trail marked by white blazes, will entice you to the top for spectacular views of some of the most picturesque scenary in southwest Virginia. For a quick easy hike try the blue blazed lake trail, where you can either go out and back or make the entire 6 mile loop if you have time. For more informaion visit http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/ state-parks/. Note: There is a Virginia State Park parking fee. DIRECTIONS: I-81 - Exit 47, turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto Route 11 South. Follow Route 11 South for 1 mile to VA 16 North, follow 16 north for 4 miles to the park entrance.
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Park Trails Stone Lick Trail 0.8 mi L inal Card
Raider’s Run Trail 0.9 mi.
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Vista Trail 0.4 mi.
Trail Blaze Mileage Usage Difficulty Access CCC Orange 1.9 H, B Ridge Green 0.2 H, B Lake Loop Navy Blue 5.7 H, B PA Vista Purple 0.4 H Molly’s Knob White 1.9 H,B Old Shawnee Yellow 1.0 H, B Stone Lick Red 0.8 H, B Raider’s Run Royal Blue 0.9 H, B H = Hiking B = Biking = Easy = Moderate = Difficult PA = Partially Handicapped Accessible
Hungry Mother State Park Molly’s Knob Trail
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App alac hia •
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Salt Park •
Downtown Commons
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Mahanaim Church Trestle #1
Trestle #2
Salt Trail
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Glade Spring Exit 29 Mileage: Salt Trail 8 miles (one way) Interpretive Trail .2 mi. Difficulty: easy to moderate Blaze: none Usage: hike, bike
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Easily accesssed from Interstate 81, Virginia’s Salt Trail is an 8 mile trail that connects the small community of Saltville with Glade Springs. The majority of the trail passes through pastor land and woodlands with some on-road sections. Be sure to visit the Museum of the Middle Appalachians and the Helen Williams Barbrow Interpretive Trail in Saltville for a glimpse of the area’s history. DIRECTIONS: From I-81 take Exit 35 for VA-107 toward Chilhowie, follow VA-107 north to Saltville and turn left onto Main Street.
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The Helen Williams Barbrow Interpretive Trail Located in the Wellfields section of town and approximately 2/3 of a mile long, this hiking and biking trail was opened in the summer of 2007.
Exit 35
Palm
Chilhowie
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107
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Rowland Creek Falls Rou te
p 600 Whiteto
Rd
Mileage: 3 mile round trip Difficulty: moderate Blaze: orange Usage: hike, bike, horse
Rowland Creek Falls Begin your hike just past the gate and parallel to Forest Road 84 for a couple hundred feet until you reach a junction. At the junction there is a fork in the trail and a trail sign. Take the left fork heading downhill. You will cross the creek several times by rock hopping until you finally come out at the top of the falls. The beautiful waterfall is a series of drops that make up the 50 foot falls. DIRECTIONS: I-81 - Exit 35 to Route 600/Whitetop Road, follow Route 600 for 9 miles to Forest Road 84 on your left, Follow FR 84 for 4.4 miles the trailhead will be on your left.
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Rowlands Rowland Creek Trail
Rowlands Rowland Creek
Forest Service Rd 84
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Lookout — >
717
Big Bend g nnin Kre
Big Walker
Stoney Fork 717
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Seven Sisters Trail Mileage: 4.3 miles Difficulty: moderate Blaze: none Usage: hike, bike
Stoney Fork Rd
Big Wa lker M ounta Scenic in Byway
Exit 67
Seven Sisters Trail Located on Little Walker Mountain, Seven Sisters trail is 4.8 miles of varied terrain that is very popular with mountain bikers. As you climb, you will see the vegetation change from huge old growth white pines to a hardwood forest at the top. In fall and winter months visitors can enjoy great views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Follow SR 717 East, back to your car. DIRECTIONS: From Wytheville-Take I-77 North for 6 miles to exit 47, turn left onto Route 717 west, go 1.25 miles to the trailhead parking lot.
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View from Big Walker Lookout, just a few miles north of Wytheville on Rt. 52. Exit 41 Exit 70
Exit Exit 40 72
Exit 73
Wytheville
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Comers Rock and Hale Lake Trail LITTLE DRY RUN WILDERNESS
• Group siz 10 in wild • Bicycles n in wildern
Hale Lake
Hale Lake
Comers Rock Iron Mountain Trail 2 miles
Hale Lake Trail Hale Lake Trail is lightly used and very easy to walk. It meanders in and out of the forest and provides great views of the surrounding lake. DIRECTIONS: From Wytheville follow US-21 South for 16 miles, turn right onto Forest Road 57, follow FR-57 6 miles following the signs. Parking will be on your left and the lake will be on your right.
Mileage: .8 mile round trip Difficulty: easy Blaze: none Usage: hike
Comers Rock
The .4 mile hike up some rock steps leads visitors to a observation platform on top of Comers Rock and breathtaking 360 degree views. DIRECTIONS: From Wytheville follow US-21 South for 16 miles, turn right onto Forest Road 57, follow FR-57 3.5 miles, just past the campground you will make a sharp right and follow the drive to the parking lot and trailhead.
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To U S to W 21 ythe ville
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View from Comers Rock overlook.
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Mileage: varies Difficulty: easy Blaze: none Usage: hike, bike, horse
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New River Trail
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RIV ER N
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Baker Island
This Virginia State Park is a 57 mile long National Recreation Trail. Along the trail are railroad highlights such as tunnels, dams, trestle bridges, a caboose at the Galax trailhead and the historic Shot Tower at the Foster Falls access in Wythe County. For 39 miles the trail parallels the scenic New River. There are numerous access points with ample parking and facilities. Note: There is a Virginia State Park parking fee.
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NEW RIVER
N
ate Par k
St
River Trai l ew
Foster Falls Recreation Area
Shot Tower Historical State Park
DIRECTIONS: Galax Access I-77 to Exit 14 US 221/US 58 toward Hillsville/Galax, trailhead located where US 58 crosses Chestnut Creek. Foster Falls Access I-77 South to Exit 24, turn left at the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto 52 North for 1.6 miles and turn right on to Foster Falls Road, follow Foster Falls Road 1.8 miles to the park entrance on the left.
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Mileage: 3 mile loop Difficulty: moderate Blaze: white/orange Usage: hiking, no horses on AT
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Elk Garden
No Overnight Camping
SR 6 0 0 This 3 mile loop provides visitors a snapshot of one of Appalachia’s most intriguing ecosystems. Enjoy long range vistas from the open balds and dark spruce fir forests similar to those in Canada. Take the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) 1.9 miles to Deep Gap following the white blazes and then follow the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail (orange blaze) 1.1 miles back to the parking area at Elk Garden. It may be tempting to hike on to the summit of Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, just keep in mind that the hike is a moderate to difficult 8.5 miles. Always be prepared for extreme weather changes when you are recreating in the high country. DIRECTIONS: From I-81 take Exit 35 to Route 600/Whitetop Rd, follow Rt. 600 for approximately 16 miles to Elk Garden parking on your right.
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Mount Rogers
Highest Point in Virginia 5729
Deep Gap
A.T./VA Highlands Horse Trail - Elk Garden to Deep Gap
Elk Garden Trailhead
Elk Garden Trailhead
Courtesy George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
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Wild Ponies on Rhododendron Trail
Courtesy Deana R. Kelley, Assistant Director, Wytheville CVB
Mileage: 1 mile round trip Difficulty: moderate Blaze: blue Usage: hike
Rhododendron Trail
GRAYSON H STATE Gr a on Hi
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Grayson Highlands Visitor Center
Rhododendron Trail Located within Grayson Highlands State Park the popular Rhododendron Trail boats panoramic views, enormous rock outcroppings and wild ponies. Be prepared for severe weather changes and do not pet or feed the wild ponies. Note: There is a Virginia State Park parking fee. DIRECTIONS: From I-81 take exit 45 to US 16 south, follow 16 south to Route 58 in Volney, take 58 west for 8 miles the park entrance will be on your right.
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Mount Rogers from Rodo Gap
Courtesy George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
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Crystal Springs
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Crystal Springs
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Camping
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BIG SURVEY
HAS DIFFERENT RULES AND REQUIRES A USER PERMIT
High Rocks Trail
Sand Mountain Radio Towers
High Rocks
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Information
Bikers dismount and walk difficult trail ahead
AR Y ND SB OU IN G PR
Hunting Zone
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Boundary Trail, 7 miles, Very Difficult Crystal Springs Loop, 2.1 miles, More Difficult High Rocks Spur, 1.7 miles, Extremely Difficult Salamander Meander, .14 mile, Easy Shortcut Trail, .5 mile, Easy Waterline Trail, .47 mile, More Difficult Woodpecker Run, .7 mile, More Difficult
TA LS
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Restroom
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BIG SURVEY
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Southwest Virginia
Trails Appalachian Trail at Mount Rogers Dickey’s Knob Trail Hungry Mother State Park Salt Trail Rowland Creek Falls Seven Sisters Trail Comers Rock Hale Lake New River Trail AT/VA Highlands Horse Trail, Elk Garden to Deep Gap Rhododendron Trail Crystal Springs Recreation Area
Wytheville
For more information:
there’s only one
Intersection I-81/I-77 in Southwest Virginia
Regional Visitor Center 408 Whitetop Road, Chilhowie, VA Exit 35, I-81
Regional Visitor Center 975 Tazewell St., Main Exit: I-81 Exit 70 Also: I-81/77 Exit 73 & I-77 Exit 41
1-877-255-9928 • 276-646-3306 www.VisitVirginiaMountains.com
Toll Free 1-877-347-8307 www.VisitWytheville.com