
Best Hikes Near Roanoke Va: The Ultimate List
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Whether you live here or just visiting, the hikes near Roanoke in some way or another get 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 20 Best Hikes Near Roanoke Va you'll want to know.
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
2:00
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
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
2:00
Hike Time
2
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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. Cascade Falls
4.0
Distance
700
Elevation
2:00
Hike Time
1
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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.



4. Chestnut Ridge Trail
5.4
Distance
720
Elevation
2:00
Hike Time
1
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Chestnut Ridge Trail is centrally located to Downtown Roanoke and is a great nature hike near Roanoke Mountain Picnic Area...



5. Devils Marbleyard
4.5
Distance
1,460
Elevation
3:00+
Hike Time
1
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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.



6. Dragon's Tooth
4.5
Distance
1,256
Elevation
2:50+
Hike Time
1
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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.



7. Fallingwater Cascades Trail
1.4
Distance
420
Elevation
0:55
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
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.



8. Flat Top Mountain Virginia
4.7
Distance
1,690
Elevation
3:00
Hike Time
1
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Flat Top Mountain Virginiais 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.



9. Fulhardt Knob Trail
7.6
Distance
1,700
Elevation
4:00
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
Fulhardt Knob Trail has a great knob overlook right at the beginning of the trail and winds through mountains and forests to get to Fulhardt Knob.



10. Hay Rock Hike
7.4
Distance
1,410
Elevation
3:50
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
Hay Rock Hike is the best view of Carvins Cove Natural Reserve you can see without getting into a helicopter...



11. Harkening Hill
4.3
Distance
900
Elevation
2:25
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
Harkening Hill at the Peaks of Otter is a great nature hike loop with an overlook at the top as well as interesting balancing rocks on the way up...



12. McAfee Knob Hike
7.8
Distance
1,800
Elevation
4:15
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
McAfee Knob Hike is a must-see if you're in the Roanoke region for any amount of time and easily one of the best hikes near Roanoke Va.



13. Mill Mountain Star Trail
3.4
Distance
800
Elevation
2:10
Hike Time
1
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Mill Mountain Star Trail is centrally located to downtown Roanoke and is a great option for an outdoor excursion when time is a factor.



14. Poor Mountain Trail
3.9
Distance
940
Elevation
2:00
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
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.



15. Read Mountain Hike
3.8
Distance
880
Elevation
1:50
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
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...



16. Roaring Run Falls
1.5
Distance
300
Elevation
1:00
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
Roaring Run Falls and Hoop Hole Trail has a great day with a picnic area, nature walks and multiple waterfalls leading up to the primary fall.



17. Sharp Top Trail
2.6
Distance
1,220
Elevation
2:15
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
Sharp Top Trail is one of the more popular hikes around Roanoke Va. The trail has an overlook and several balancing rocks on the way up making for an interesting trek up...



18. Tinker Cliffs
7.3
Distance
1,945
Elevation
4:15
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
Tinker cliffs is the third of three sections on Virginia's Triple Crown Loop and has one of the better views of McAfee Knob.



19. Wind Rock Va
1.0
Distance
400
Elevation
0:15
Hike Time
1
Iconic Picture Spots
Wind Rock Va is a package deal of a short hike and a great view located in the Mountain Lake Wilderness of Pembroke Virginia.



20. Virginia Triple Crown
27.7
Distance
n/a
Elevation
2-3
Hike Time in Days
3-6
Iconic Picture Spots
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 20 Best Hikes Near Roanoke Va
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