Mill Mountain Park

          - MAP

          - Location:  Just outside of downtown Roanoke.  Look up to the mountain with the big star and you've found Mill Mountain.

          - There has been a lot of work done on these trails in the past few years.   Nice work Roanoke.  Great place to get in a quick workout with

             some climbing.  Remember that the Star Trail and Chestnut Ridge Loop don't allow bikes.  If you're biking you'll have to take the

             newly created Wood Thrush Trail at the top of the gravel road climb to stay legal.  You can also park at the Discovery Center at the top of

             Mill Mountain.  If you need a map of the trails they should have some for you there.  These trails have been known to hide wild blueberries

             and raspberries. 

          - Star Trail - (Moderate) This trail is 1.7 miles up and a 3.4 mile out and back.  You'll  have a 1.5 mile hike up to the star and overlook. 

             This is the biggest hot spot for visitors wishing to look out over the city of Roanoke.  On a clear day  it has the best view of the city and

             surrounding mountains. 

          - Chestnut Ridge Loop - MAP - (Moderate) This is a challenging 5.4 mile Hiker/horse trail that circles the Roanoke Mountain

             Campground.  There is approximately 800ft of elevation gain on this loop, most of it coming from 3 different hills that will burn your lungs. 

             A few years ago there was a lot of work done on this trail that improved it tremendously (in the summer be on the lookout for Poison Ivy).  I

             really like this loop for a short workout and will include some of the connecting Mill Mountain trails to increase my mileage.  In addition, I will

             sometimes connect the Chestnut Ridge Loop with the paved 4 mile Roanoke Mountain Loop if I'm looking to get in some hill training.  The

             downhill coming off this mountain has helped get my joints ready for the pounding they would take in some ultra runs. 

          - 10k Loop (Running)- See the Mill Mountain Mayhem 10k

          - 16 Mile Loop (Running) - Park at the Star Trail parking lot and do the above 10k loop, then take the Woodthrush trail to the Chestnut

             Ridge Loop, do the Chestnut Ridge Loop, take the Woodthrush back to the Star Trail, and back to your car.

          - 20 Mile Loop - Do the above, and when you get to where the Chestnut Ridge Loop goes under the Parkway Spur, cross the road to the

             horse trail that takes you to the Overlook just off the parkway, then run the Roanoke Mountain Loop.  It's an elevation killer but a great hill

             workout.  When done with the Roanoke mountain loop, continue on to the second half of the Chestnut Ridge Loop.

Carvin's Cove - 20+ miles of trail - Beginner to advanced single track.  This place has a little bit of everything. 

Location:  Just north of Salem on route 311.  Take Carvin's Cove Road to a stop sign, go right, and take this back to the big gravel parking lot on the right. 

          -  MAP

          -  MAP #2 - Here is another map of the Cove.  It's laid out a little differently.

          -  The 11 mile Lower loop is a great medium ride.  This will keep you from the big climbs but will also keep you from some great downhills.

              Clockwise or counterclockwise it is a good ride.  I'd say I ride it clockwise more often and then take the road back to the parking lot.

                  Lower Loop - 11.08 Miles - Bennett Springs Parking lot to 4 Gorge Trail, down the Brushy Mountain Fireroad for .48 mile, a right at

                  the bottom onto Happy Valley Road for .19 miles, Songbird will be on the left (at 1.83 miles Songbird intersects with a gravel road and

                  the continues on for another .26 miles), at the end you will take another left onto Happy Valley Road for .11 miles and then take

                  Arrowhead on your left, at the end of Arrowhead you will take another left onto Happy Valley Road for 1.03 miles, a right onto

                  Schoolhouse, at the road you will continue on to Little Bell for .3 miles, at the gravel road you will take a right and then a quick left onto

                  Enchanted Forest Trail (at .4 miles this will lead you back to Happy Valley Road, head right for .13 miles and the entrance back onto

                  Enchanted Forest Trail will be on your left, this will take you to a 4 way intersection, go right onto Comet for .76 miles and you are back

                  to Happy Valley Road.  I usually take a left and head back out on the asphalt road to compete the loop and 11.08 miles at the parking lot. 

                  Below are the mileages and links for the elevation profiles of the trails on this loop.

                                          2.37 miles  Green Trail now 4 Gorge Trail From intersection with Hi-Dee-Ho

                                          2.09 miles  Songbird

                                          1.63 miles  Arrowhead

                                          1.82 miles  Schoolhouse

                                          0.30 miles  Little Bell

                                          1.03 miles  Enchanted Forest

                                          0.76 miles  Comet

          -  Trails on the way to the ridge:

                  Jacob's Drop - this is a steep downhill that will take you to a few more options.  Either way; the comet or Jacob's drop, both have fun

                       downhills.

                  Hemlock Tunnel - This trail has one of the steepest drops at the cove.  The downhill is usually covered in leaves, sticks, loose rock,

                       and roots.  It can be fun and exhilarating, but travel at your own risk.

          -  Trails to the ridge:

                  Hi-dee Hoe - 1.61 miles from the Parking lot to the top of the climb - Elevation Profile

                       Downhill - One of my all time favorites.  This sucker is fast.  It is all rideable.  The switchbacks are always a good challenge and

                       There are a couple of water bars where you can catch some good air. 

                       Climb - lung busting ascent with 4 challenging switchbacks.  I can ride the whole thing except the 2nd switchback.  That root gets

                       me every time. 

                  Buck - 1.50 miles to the road or 1.24 mile downhill to the Hotel trail which will connect you to the parking lot - Elevation Profile

                       Downhill - this is a fast downhill with 2 switchbacks, many tight corners, and a couple of big drops.   

                       Climb - This climb is a good workout but not too bad.  The two tight corners and switchbacks are tough, but if you grunt in the

                       right place and stick your tongue out the right way, their doable.

                  Hotel - 1.22 miles from Buck to Parking Lot - Elevation Profile

                       From the parking lot - this is a good warm up with two smaller steep climbs.

                       To the parking lot - mostly downhill and flat.  A good way to end your ride.

                  Gauntlet - 3.35 miles - Elevation Profile 

                       Downhill -  This is a tough downhill.  Don't get me wrong, it's fun, but it will work your forearms and mind all the way down.  Be ready

                       for a screaming bumpy ride. 

                       Climb - 1 mile slight downhill and then one of the toughest 2.35 mile uphill climbs you will ever try to clean.  You will be begging for a

                       switchback at the top, but there will be none to save your sorry butt.  That's when prayer may work.

                  Trough - 1.11 miles - Elevation Profile

                       Downhill - This is a very fast downhill with no switchbacks.  There has been quite a bit of work on this trail.  It is now much cleaner

                       and has a number of jumps placed throughout. 

                       Climb - This is another tough climb.  Again, get ready to pray, because you will want a switchback at some point during this one.

Fort Lewis Mountain - 17 mile loop with a jeep road climb, some advanced single track in the middle, and a 5 mile asphalt road finish.

          -  MAP

          - Location:  North of Salem off of Route 311.  Turn left on Bradshaw Road.  This is the mountain behind Mason's Cove Elementary School.

            Park at Mason's Cove Elementary (if school isn't in session).  Ride Start:  take Bradshaw road back towards 311 and take the first right onto

            Forest Acre Road.  This will start you on the longest off road climb in Roanoke (almost 6 miles).  It will start on asphalt and will come to a T

            in the road, take a right and this will turn into a dirt road and eventually take to to a yellow Forest Service Gate.  The climb from the school

            will take you about an hour.  At the top the dirt road will T, go left and around another Forest Service Gate.  You will be on this grassy road

            for about a mile.  Just as the road starts to take a steep drop there will be a trail off to the right (rock cairn and some orange flagging on the

            right).  This is a fun rocky trail with two  tough steep climbs.  The trail will dump you out onto another grassy road, go right, there will be a

            few trails leading you around large downed trees, and then you will meet up to another jeep road coming up from the left.  Keep heading

            straight and up.  You've got a nice lung burning climb ahead.  The road will come to a S route with small right turn and then a small left turn

            and at the top it will level off for a second.  Here there will be a rock cairn on the right.  This will take you down the Bad Wolf Trail.  This is a

            really fun and fast downhill with 4 or more (I forget) switchbacks.  You will eventually come to a creek that you will have to climb in and out

           of (you shouldn't get wet).  From here the trail will become what looks like a creek bed.  Look closely for the trail and it will eventually come

           back to single track and stop at a creek.  Find a good place to cross and you're back to Bradshaw road.  Rake a right and you have 5 mile

           one rolling asphalt back to the school.

Appalachian Trail - Miles and miles of great rocky and rooty trail with fantastic views and endless elevation gain and loss (hiking only). 

Location:  From Georgia to Maine; the easiest access points are on Catawba Mountain about 20 minutes North of Salem off Route 311 and just off the interstate in Daleville (exit 150) at the Park and Ride (climb over the guardrail and look for the white blazes). 

Favorite AT Runs: 

     1.  McAfee's Loop (7 or 10 miles - Moderate-Strenuous) - park at the trailhead on top of Catawba Mountain (first big

          mountain north of Salem) off of 311.  From here head across the highway and start on the trail.  Be very careful crossing 311

          as there is a lot of traffic and visibility is limited.  It is 3.5 miles to the top (you can head back down the trail to the road; and

          take the road back or take the trail back to the parking lot for the 7 mile loop).  Or you can continue north on the AT until the

          trail joins up with a fireroad at the big powerlines (when the trail goes from single track to a 10ft wide trail you are at this point). 

          Head right at the power lines and take this road all the way back to route 311 for a 10 mile loop.

          Route 311 to route 779 (11.5 or 15 Miles Strenuous) - Once you climb up to McAfee's Knob, this section isn't too

          bad until you start the long climb up to Tinker Cliffs.  It tends to hold a lot of leaves from the fall to spring (sometimes waist high). 

         Some people will take this section to the Cliffs and then turn back to 311 for a 15 mile section.  Others will stage a car at 779 and

          finish with a great 3 mile descent on the Andy Lane trail.

     2.  8 Mile Run to Dragon's Tooth (Strenuous).  From the above, 311,  parking lot you can stage a car and run south on

          the AT to Dragon's tooth.  This is a common section that we used to run at night for a nice 8 mile run.  Once you cross the

          second asphalt road (Newport Road) be on the lookout for the Boy Scout trail (About 1 mile up the hill.  There will be a sign). 

          This trail will go around the mountain, the Dragon's Spine, and bring you to the Dragon's Tooth Parking lot.  I prefer this route

          because taking the AT instead of the Boy Scout Trail adds a lot of climbing and terrain that isn't conducive to running.  

     3.  Dragon's tooth - 2.5 miles out and back for a 5 mile round trip (Moderate-Strenuous).   I'd call this a

          hard run or intermediate hike.  Get there by taking 311, 16 or so miles north of Salem, until you see the National Forest sign for

          the Dragon's Tooth Parking lot on the left of the road.  The trail will leave the parking lot and take you on a gradual climb for

          about 1 mile.  From here it gradually get steeper until you intersect with the AT.  This point is a level spot called Lost Spectacles

          Gap.  From here you will want to head right on the AT for another .5-.75 miles to the top of Dragon's tooth.  This section has a

          lot of rocks to climb over and steel ladder rungs anchored into the rocks to help you climb up. 

                    For those of you with a fear of heights or exposure to ledges - I'd recommend going left at Lost Spectacles Gap.  This

                    section of the AT will be less rocky and will take you to another great view without having to climb up so many rocks and

                    ladders.  Once you get enough of the view or to where the trail starts to lead you downward over the rocks, turn around

                    and head back to the parking lot. 

     4.  Andy Lane Trail - 4 mile uphill climb to Tinker Cliffs (Strenuous).  The parking lot for this trail is hard to

          find.  You will want to take 779 off of 311 at Catawba or from 220 in Daleville.  From here it is about 5-6 miles to the parking

          lot.  You will want to be on the lookout for other cars in the gravel parking lot.  There are a few big stainless steel electrical boxes

          at the parking lot (they sometimes help give the parking lot away).

     5.  Tinker Mountain (6 Miles round Trip - Strenuous) - Park at the Park and Ride in Daleville just north of I-81 off of

          220.  Look for the big guardrail that leads you up the hill (around the back of the Motel and Gas Station to the right) onto a

          concrete slab.  This will take you to the AT and up to Tinker Mountain.  The usual turnaround point is Lookout Rock.  This is a

          rock that looks out over Carvin's Cove.  You can't miss it because the AT takes you right onto it.  It even has a white blaze on

          the rock leading the way.

          Route 220 to route 779 (12.5 Miles - Strenous) - This will require you staging a car at the end.  This section has

          some of my favorite running and climbing sections in it.  Once you climb up to the top of Tinker Mountain you will have some

          great running on the ridge.  There are plenty of rocks to hop over on this section and you will get in two more 400ft butt burning

          climbs in this section. 

          Route 220 to route 311 (20 Miles - Strenuous) - This 20 mile section will have it all.  This is one of the toughest

          sections of the AT that I have been on (and one of my favorites.  I think it has about 5500ft of climbing in this section.  My

          personal best time for this run is 3 hours and 50 minutes.  The four hour mark is hard to achieve.  I use this section as a time trial

          when training for an Ultra.  When you reach the end Be very careful crossing 311, as there is a lot of traffic and visibility is

          limited. 

     6.  Hollin's Side of the Cove - 15 mile loop (Strenuous) - Park at Hollin's side of the cove.  Hike out on the road you

          came in on.  About 100yards out of the gate you will see a clearing to the left where a gas line comes through.  At the far edge of

          the gas line, where it meets the road there is an old trail that heads up to Tinker Mountain and the AT.  At the top of the climb the

          trail kind of thins out.  Keep climbing toward the power lines and left and you will eventually hit the AT.  Once on the AT you will

          have about a 6.5 mile run when you will come to a creek and some picnic tables.  From here you will have about a .5 mile to the

          Sawmill Branch trail that heads down to the Cove.  If you come to the AT shelter you have gone too far.  Keep a lookout to the

          left.  The Sawmill Branch trail will be at a point where Carvin's Cove is painted on two trees that mark the sides of the trail

          entrance.  Take the Sawmill branch down to where it intersects with the Arrowhead trail and head left.  After about a .5 mile you

          will come to a gravel road.  Go left and you will have 3.5 miles until you get back to your car. 

Dragon's Back - 30 miles of Advanced level single track.  You have a number of route options that you will have to connect with jeep roads.

          - Location:  About 25 minutes North of Salem off Route 311.  This is the big mountain across the street from the Dragon's Tooth parking lot. 

            You can also access North Mountain from forest service road; Wildlife Road and Broad Run Road.

         -  I like the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #788 for these trails (also at Outdoor Trails).  This mountain is loaded with lots of

            advanced level single track.  There are 6 choices for Steep climbs to the ridge, up to a 15 miles of ridge top trail (depending on where you

            start, and steep forearm cramping descents. Options to the ridge are 1.  across 311 from the Dragon's Tooth parking lot, 2-4.  the deer,

            grouse, or turkey trail from Wildlife road, 5.  Catawba Valley Trail across 779 from the Andy Lane trail, and 6. the end of North Mountain at

            Stone Coal Gap.

          - The Dragon's back race course:  Up the Grouse (middle trail), right at the ridge for 1 mile to the Deer,  down to the fire road and back

             to the Grouse, up the Grouse, left at the ridge and then 3 miles to the Turkey trail, down to the fire road and back to the car.

          - I also like to park at the gate at Wilderness Road.  From here it is a nice warm up on 311 to the steep climb across 311 from the parking

            lot for Dragon's Tooth.  This climb is steep and has a few hiker switchbacks that are two tight for me to ride.  But once on the ridge it is a

            nice ride to the Turkey Trail.  Once down the Turkey trail it is a long up and down ride on the fire road back to the car. 

          - And, another route that will have you on some fire roads and pavement is the climb up Catawba Valley Trail to the ridge (Park at the

            Andy Lane Parking lot).  From here take a right for a tough up and down ride on the ridge that will have you wondering if it will ever

            end.  You will finally drop down for a great downhill to Stone Coal Gap. from here you will take a right down to route 606.  This will

            take you to 779 where you will take a right back to your car.

Potts Mountain - 30+ miles of advanced double track, fire road, and single track.

          - MAP

          - Location - North of Salem on Route 311 to New Castle.  Go past New Castle a couple of miles until you find Route 611 and head

             right/east.  Take a left on Route 617 to the Pines Campground on your left. 

         -  This is Craig County's big mountain.  It used to be home of a a mountain bike race.  I went out here to do the course a few years ago and

             didn't know what I was getting into.  This place has one of the steepest climbs I've been on.  The ride starts and ends at the Pines

             Campground.  To start you continue west on route 617 for 2.8 miles and then you head left down a hill, cross a creek, and start a vicious

             climb up to the ridge.  This part of the ride is on a jeep road that is used for jeep trials.  It has some very technical sections for being a road. 

             This will be a great place to see what you are made of or a great place to hone your hike a bike technique.  If you come out here to ride I'd

             love to know how it goes.  You will take the ridge to FS 176.  If you are tired now, I'd recommend bailing on the rest of the course (and I

             hate bailing early, but you were warned). 

             From here the course requires a bit of orienteering.  I'd take the Trails Illustrated map that corresponds with this area for a reference.  When

             I was out here all of the trails were in pretty good shape but I could see that this wasn't a place that gets a lot of traffic.  I'd say this area sees

             more hunting than any other type of recreation, and hunters aren't known for their trail maintenance work. 

             OK, cross FS 176 and and continue on the road until you find the cove trail to your left.  If I remember this correctly, this trail had some

             pretty steep downhill sections.  At the point where you catch the New Pott's Arm Connector trail you will be in for some more climbing. 

             When you come to the Pott's Arm trail will have a mostly downhill ride to FS 804.1.  This section has some wheel eating rock gardens (I

             endo'd a couple times.  Style points were awarded).  You might even knock a couple teeth off of your big chain ring.  At FS 804.1 I headed

             left to route 176 and headed back to the Pines.  The map references the Cove Branch Farm.  This was part of the former race but I know

             nothing about this private property or the owners.  I'd suggest staying away from that part of the map/course. 

Glenwood Horse Trail (GHT) - This is a 65+ mile network of advanced single track and jeep roads along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Natural Bridge Station to Camp Bethel outside of Nace.  I like the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #789 for these trails (also at Outdoor Trails).  You can find a great story and pictures from the Hellgate 100k from the Roanoke Times

Map #1 and #2 of the Hellgate 100k Trail run.  I participated in the first year of this race in 2003 and finished 9th.  This race starts at 12:01am on the second Saturday in December.  There isn't another trail ultra quite like it. 

 

Common loops I ride:

1.  Park at Black Horse Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), travel south on the parkway to the first Forest Service Road (FSR).  This is Salt Pond Road.  The road crosses the BRP and there is a gate on both sides of the BRP.  Go left.  You will take this FSR to Quarry road on the left.  Follow this road until you come to a horse trail sign. The trail goes up a rocky trail to the left.  The trail has good climbs, rocky ridge riding, and rocky descents.  The trail will eventually dump you on a gravel road.  Take a left and this will take you to the Day Creek Day Use area.  From here you can either climb 2.8 miles up to where you are parked or continue straight on the GHT.  If you continue on you are in for a long, long ride.  Maybe you should wait for another day. 

 

2.  Find your way to Camp Bethel.  Continue past the camp on the gravel road and park at the 4 way about a mile up the road.  You will want to take the road straight in front of you with the yellow gate.  From here ride up to Black Horse Gap on BRP.  Cross the parkway and head down.  Be forewarned, this is a fast, fast, fast downhill with some whoops in it.  You will go down to a gate, go around, and then in about .8 miles when you get to the parking area you will want to look towards the left side of the road for the GHT trail entrance.  This section is about 5.8 miles long but will feel like 10.  The trail will dump you out on a dirt road.  Take a left.  This will take you to Boblett's Gap on the BRP.  The climb is about 3.2 miles.  Go under the parkway and take the trail to the right.  This will take you to the Boblett's Gap overlook.  From here take a right/south on the BRP.  After about 3 miles on the Parkway you will find a trail sign on top of a hill.  This is Spec. Mines.  If you miss it, keep riding on the BRP and you will end up at Black Horse Gap again.  Just go down to the car.  Careful on the descent, there are a lot of rocks and lots of space for speed.  If you found Spec Mines you are in for a treat.  This is a great downhill trail.  Hopefully it has been maintained, but be careful for blowdowns or deadfall around corners.  Eventually this will take you to a gravel road.  Take a left and you have a couple of miles to your car. 

 

3.  You can piece a couple different rides from the above two routes.