Blue Ridge Parkway: Roanoke River Trail (Blog Hike #275)

Trail: Roanoke River Trail

Hike Location: Blue Ridge Parkway

Geographic Location: east of Roanoke, VA (37.25239, -79.87211)

Length: 0.5 miles

Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)

Dates Hiked: May 2009, May 2014

Overview: A short leg-stretcher hike leading to a nice river overlook.
Area Information: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roanoke-valley-trails.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=940885
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: The trail departs from a parking area at milepost 114.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The milepost is located southeast of Roanoke 2.7 miles south of SR 24 or 6.5 miles north of US 220.

The hike: After it passes through downtown Roanoke and before it flows into massive Smith Mountain Lake, the rushing Roanoke River carves a small gorge through the porous Virginia limestone.  Over top of that gorge soars the Blue Ridge Parkway as it makes its way around metropolitan Roanoke.  While perhaps not the most scenic on the Parkway, this hike is unusual because you will see both the Parkway above and the river below.

Trailhead: Roanoke River Trail

            The hike starts on a blacktop trail at the end of a rock wall.  The trail immediately heads downhill with a wooden railing on your left.  Ignore the Fisherman Trail, which soon exits left and heads steeply downhill only to end at the river bank, and continue on the gravel Loop Trail.

Descending on Roanoke River Loop

            At 0.1 miles, the trail passes under the Parkway’s Roanoke River bridge.  From this angle, the bridge’s age becomes apparent.  The double truss design composed of painted steel would never be used on a bridge this short today.  Unfortunately, due to trees below, the river is not visible from this point during the warmer months.

Parkway bridge over Roanoke River

            Just after passing under the bridge, the 0.05 mile spur trail to the river overlook exits left.  The stone overlook is worth the detour even though a moderate descent must be navigated to reach it.  On my visit, the river was muddy and rapid due to the recent rain.  Some rocks can be seen in the river bed and along the gorge walls.

After viewing the river, retrace your steps to the main trail and turn sharply left to reach the main loop.  As you get closer to the main loop, some interpretive signs describing the plants along the trail appear.  You may very well miss the unsigned intersection that forms the loop (I did), so it is best to continue straight and hike the loop clockwise.

The narrow dirt trail climbs gradually as it clings to the steep hillside.  Don’t fall off the trail to the left: it’s a steep drop down to the river.  At 0.25 miles, the trail curves sharply to the right as it climbs higher on the hillside.  In another 0.1 miles, the trail curves right again and descends moderately to close the loop.  Turn left and retrace your steps 0.15 miles, mostly uphill, to return to the parking area and complete the hike.