Explore the best rated trails in Roanoke, VA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Jackson River Scenic Trail and Mayo River Rail Trail . With more than 24 trails covering 231 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
My wife and I rode the Jackson River Scenic Trail over two days in late summer, Intervale to Smith Bridge the first day and Smith Bridge to the end on the second. We thoroughly enjoyed this trail. The trail was shady, scenic and peaceful. It is one of the widest, flattest and smoothest rail-trails I've ever been on, perfect for kids or casual riders who don't like incessant bumps or grinding grades. The trail is well equipped with picnic areas and restrooms. (No interpretive signage however; it would be a nice upgrade to showcase the human and natural history of the area.) Two of the best sights are located just off the trail. A small sign will direct you to a suspension footbridge over the river. It's well worth the detour to bounce over the bridge. (A sign warns you not to bounce, but just walking across the thing sets it into motion!) Just below the Smith Bridge parking area is the decommissioned Smith Bridge, open to foot traffic only. It offers big views of the river. A couple of caveats: 1) While the trail traces the river for most of its length, there are no places to get wet directly on the trail. A public access area just off the trail at Smith Bridge has a shallow area perfect for getting wet. 2) The lower portion of the trail is located a few miles from a huge paper mill. Depending on weather conditions, you may smell it.
Some friends and I rode the entire Greenbrier River Trail as part of a four-day 180-mile bike tour. (The entire route is part of Adventure Cycling's Short Routes collection at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46271108)
On the Greenbrier River Trail, you're enfolded by green mountains, flowing water, wildflowers, solitude, and lots of places to get wet. And quiet! The near-total lack of cell coverage meant no dinging intrusions from the "real world". So relaxing to disconnect and reconnect!
There is a remote feel to this trail, but you’re never far from camping or water. The primitive campsites along the trail are free and first-come first-served. The campsite at Mile 28.5 was an especially nice place to swim and gather around a campfire. There is also an adjacent Hipcamp and Watoga State Park for those who want a hot shower.
Cass, a former lumber boomtown, has a steam excursion train a small museum for rail buffs. Marlinton offers a respite to trail food, including a combination bike shop-café. Jack Horner's Corner, just off the trail in Seebert, has good food and ice cream.
Several things set this trail apart: the feel of isolation, the abundant camping options and the trailside displays showcasing the human and natural history of the Greenbrier valley.
We biked from Fries to Fries Junction, then down to Galax, and then back to Fries. Beautiful bike ride! We saw several deer, birds and squirrels. The pathways are very level and provide a smooth ride. Hoping we get to explore more of this trail before we leave town. Highly recommend!
NRT is my heart trail, have been on many others in va but this is my favorite and most scenic!!!
Mill mt is a great e bike trail due to big climb, I like to come back down the road due to downhill speed and roughness of the old paved road that makes the trail surface, makes a nice loop and can be extended out to the parkway and around the roanoke mt loop that is closed to vehicle traffice which has beautiful overlooks.
While this trail largely follows Garden City Blvd SE, there are some spots on it that are scenic and away from traffic. It mostly consists of a steady climb to the end of the trail, but the first three quarters of a mile is relatively flat with one climb at the quarter mile marker. The trail is plenty wide enough for passing and is paved in its entirety. There is a small park on the trail and park just off of the trail behind the elementary school. Because it is an off shoot from Roanoke River Greenway traffic is lighter than the main greenway. There is shade on about half of the trail. The biggest concern is on Wednesday’s it’s garbage day so there is usually garbage cans and other refuse waiting to be collected.
The surface of the New River Trail should not be described as “crushed stone.” This is factually incorrect. I rode the entire trail from end-to-end and back again over three days in mid-June 2024. The first 20 or so miles from Dora Junction (Pulaski) toward Lone Ash consist mostly of a wide grassy median with a narrow dirt track on either side. This is fine for bicycles in dry weather but those of us who ride recumbent tricycles are forced to ride with at least one wheel on the grass, which makes for a tortuous slow and bumpy ride. Some sections are indeed smooth crushed stone, such as the 5.5 mile spur from Fries Junction to the town of Fries which is the best maintained section of the trail, perhaps because Fries attracts tourists and more cyclists than other parts of the trail. The first part of the 12 miles from Fries Junction up to Galax is very rough and rocky but the trail improves toward the end. Nonetheless most of this section would best be described as coarse gravel, not crushed stone, and the gravel is quite soft in places. Parts of the trail from Foster Falls to Ivanhoe and from Ivanhoe to Fries Junction also have a grass median, but other parts are gravel or crushed stone. The surface for the first few miles on either side of Foster Falls is well maintained but deteriorates the further one rides away from the park headquarters. Cyclists would benefit from a more accurate description of trail surface conditions.
We have been on a lot of rail trails, scenic yes... but not for the average rider...
We rode this a 2nd time and it is so nice. Love the artwork. You ride right by Black Dog Salvage. Mostly level, not crowded. You can see the STAR from trail.
I have biked and hiked this entire trail. Very scenic and much to see. Can be busy during the weekends.
Hiked this trail in three days. Very scenic and peaceful. A lot of history to take in and enjoy.
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