23 Hikes Near Roanoke - Under :59
Whether you live here or are just visiting, the hikes near Roanoke will, in one way or another, make their way into your weekend plans. Whether you want to see McAfee Knob "The Most Photographed Lookout on the Appalachian Trail" or crawl up some epic rocks at Devils Marbleyard, this list has the 23 Hikes Near Roanoke Va you'll want to know about including #23 Virginia's Triple Crown.
Get to know each hike by its terrain, trailhead, overlooks, and summits, especially if it has an "Under :59" link underneath, allowing you to see the entire hike from trailhead to summit or from loop to loop in under :59.
Editor's Note: We try hard to be accurate in our reporting but please always use multiple references before driving to a trailhead as trail amenities and conditions can always change. All hike times are approximated using Naismith's Rule.

1. Apple Orchard Falls
2.4
Distance
990
Elevation Gain
Apple Orchard Falls makes the list of best hikes near Roanoke Va because it's a combination of a waterfall hike, a Blue Ridge Parkway getaway, and a stream-side nature trail, all of which Roanoke is well known for.

2. Bottom Creek Gorge
4.8
Distance
900
Elevation Gain
Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve is located on Bent Mountain on your way to Floyd, Va. This preserve has a waterfall, a gorge, and 4.8 miles of scenic nature trail on the way to your destination...
3. Buffalo Mountain Trail
4.8
Distance
900
Elevation Gain
Buffalo Mountain Trail is located 20 minutes outside of Floyd, Va in Willis. My favorite part was to be able to see Sharp Top Mountain from the summit of Buffalo Mountain trail about 65 miles away as the crow flies. It was a bit of on incline and snow was on the ground at the time so it was highly slippery and my shoes haven't fully dried to this day. Click to see the entire hike from trailhead to summit in Under :59

4. Cascade Falls
4.0
Distance
700
Elevation Gain
Cascade Falls is one of the larger falls located near Roanoke. The trail also continues past the falls to get to Barney's Wall overlook.
5. Chestnut Ridge Trail
5.4
Distance
720
Elevation Gain
Chestnut Ridge Trail is centrally located near Downtown Roanoke and is a great nature hike near Roanoke Mountain Picnic Area. Click to see entire loop trail to and from the parking lot in Under :59

6. Devils Marbleyard
4.5
Distance
1,460
Elevation Gain
Devils Marbleyard is a one-of-a-kind rock crawl hike that's as dangerous as it is scenic located in the James River Face Wilderness.
7. Dragon's Tooth
4.5
Distance
1,256
Elevation Gain
Dragon's Tooth is the first of three sections on the Virginia's Triple Crown Loop and is an iconic overlook on the Appalachian Trail. Click to see entire hike from Trailhead to Tooth in Under :59

8. Fallingwater Cascades Trail
1.4
Distance
420
Elevation Gain
Fallingwater Cascades Trail is one of the lesser known waterfalls near Roanoke Va, in part I believe, because it is overshadowed by the incredible hikes near Peaks of Otter. This loop trail is well worth the drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

9. Flat Top Mountain Virginia
4.7
Distance
1,690
Elevation Gain
Flat Top Mountain Virginia is the second of three hikes at Peaks of Otter. The trail is a little more on the difficult side but has a great view of Sharp Top Mountain at the summit.
10. Hay Rock Hike
7.4
Distance
1,410
Elevation Gain
Hay Rock Hike is the best view of Carvins Cove Natural Reserve you can see without getting into a helicopter. It's a 7.4 mile hike to Hay Rock but it's not completely necessary to go all the way to Hay Rock as the views when you get on the ridge are about as good as it gets. Click to see the entire hike from trailhead to Overlook in Under :59
11. Harkening Hill Trail
4.3
Distance
900
Elevation Gain
Harkening Hill Trail is the third summit of the Peaks of Otter including Sharp Top Trail and Flat Top Mountain Trail. Managed in part by the National Parks Service, Harkening Hill is an easy-to-moderate trail which showcases many balanced rocks and a memorable overlook at the top. Click to see the entire loop trail in Under :59
12. Jack -O- Lantern Trail
1.5
Distance
200
Elevation Gain
Jack -O- Lantern Branch Trail is an easy 1.5mi loop trail at the Booker T Washington National Monument. This is one of the few hikes that has a closing time, open 10-4p Wednesday through Sunday and closed on Monday and Tuesdays. Visit their site here for any closing time updates before heading to the Monument. Click to see entire hike from Welcome Center to Horse Stable in Under :59
13. McAfee Knob Hike
7.8
Distance
1,800
Elevation Gain
McAfee Knob Hike is a must-see if you're in the Roanoke region for any amount of time and easily one of the most iconic hikes in Roanoke if not the entire Appalachian Trail. Click to see the entire hike from trailhead to summit in Under :59
14. Star Trail at Mill Mountain
3.4
Distance
800
Elevation Gain
Star Trail at Mill Mountain is located in Roanoke, Va and reaches the summit at the Mill Mountain Star. Also known as the Roanoke Star Trail it is managed by Roanoke Parks and Recreation and is probably among the few of trails in North America that has a animal zoo at the summit. Click to see the entire hike from trailhead to summit in Under :59

15. Poor Mountain Trail
3.9
Distance
940
Elevation Gain
Poor Mountain Trail is a great loop hike situated close to Bent Mountain. It has an incredible overlook and even a small waterfall at the base of the loop.
16. Read Mountain Hike
3.8
Distance
880
Elevation Gain
Read Mountain Hike is often an overlooked when it comes to hikes around Roanoke. The trail to the peak has several spur trails and even talks of an expansion through Bonsack, Va. Click to see the hike from Trailhead to Summit in Under :59
17. Roanoke Mountain Overlook
4.0
Distance
685
Elevation Gain
Roanoke Mountain Hike is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mill Mountain in Roanoke. The road to Roanoke Mountain Overlook is closed to motorized vehicles so you would need to park on the Parkway and hike up a mostly paved road to the summit. Click to see the hike from Trailhead to Summit in Under :59
18. Roaring Run Loop Trail
1.5
Distance
300
Elevation Gain
Roaring Run Loop Trail and Roaring Run Falls is located in Eagle Rock, Va and managed by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Roaring Run Falls reminds of a smaller scale Cascade Falls Va and has day use facilities such as a picnic area and walking trails leading to Roaring Run Falls. Click to see the entire loop trail in Under :59

19. Rock Castle Gorge Hike
11.2
Distance
2,520
Elevation Gain
Rock Castle Gorge Hike is a one-of-a-kind hike located near Floyd, Va. One of the many Rocky Knob Hiking Trails operated by the National Park Service, Rock Castle Gorge Hike is a 11.2 mile loop hike that starts at the Blue Ridge Parkway, descends into the canyon and returns to the top. Click for more information about Backcountry Camping.
20. Sharp Top Trail
2.6
Distance
1,220
Elevation Gain
Sharp Top Trail is one of the three famous Peaks of Otter Hikes including Harkening Hill & Flat Top Trail. Operated by the National Park Service, this hike is a beautiful 50 minute drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Downtown Roanoke. Click to see the entire hike from trailhead to summit in Under :59

21. Tinker Cliffs
7.3
Distance
1,945
Elevation Gain
Tinker cliffs is the third of three sections on Virginia's Triple Crown Loop and has one of the better views of McAfee Knob.

22. Wind Rock Va
1.0
Distance
400
Elevation Gain
Wind Rock Va is a package deal of a short hike and a great view located in the Mountain Lake Wilderness of Pembroke Virginia.

23. Virginia Triple Crown
27.7
Distance
n/a
Elevation Gain
Virginia Triple Crown is the collection of Dragons Tooth, McAfee Knob & Tinker Cliffs hiked in sequence. It can be finished by either exiting out at US 220, the Tinker Cliffs parking lot, or looping back along down North Mountain back to Dragon's Tooth...
Map to the 23 Hikes Near Roanoke Va
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