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BEST OF BLACKSBURG
You can be on a trail ten minutes from downtown, or make a full day of the Appalachian Trail's most famous viewpoints. Here's how we'd pick, sorted by how much time you've got.
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Updated October 2026 · By Michael Arthur, Blacksburg Connect
Under an hour, easy: Pandapas Pond loop
Paved, any length: Huckleberry Trail
Half day, waterfall: Cascades
Full day, rock scramble: Dragon's Tooth
Full day, the famous view: McAfee Knob
What it is: an 8-acre pond in the Jefferson National Forest with a 1-mile loop that's wheelchair accessible.
Getting there: about 3 miles west of Blacksburg on US 460. Turn left across from Route 621 and use the lower lot for the pond.
Good to know: free, open sunrise to sunset. Vault toilet, no drinking water. The upper lot is the trailhead for the Poverty Creek trail system, about 17 miles of trails if you want more.
Our take: the easiest nature fix in town. Good with kids, grandparents or a dog.
What it is: a paved rail-trail. The original section runs about 8.3 miles from Miller St (across from the Blacksburg Library) to the Christiansburg Recreation Center. The Huckleberry North section adds just over 5 miles out to Heritage Park and Gateway Park, for nearly 15 miles total.
Getting there: start downtown on Miller St, or at any of the parks along the way.
Good to know: 15 mph speed limit for bikes, dogs on a leash, restrooms at Coal Mining Heritage Park.
Our take: walk out as far as you like and turn around. It's flat enough for a stroller.
What it is: a 4-mile loop along Little Stony Creek to a 66-foot waterfall, 2 miles from the parking lot.
Getting there: US 460 west about 13 miles to Pembroke, then about 4 miles on Route 623 (Cascade Dr). Plan on roughly 30 minutes from downtown Blacksburg.
Good to know: $3 per vehicle parking fee. Flush toilets and water at the trailhead.
Our take: the best payoff for the effort around here. It's busy on fall weekends, so go early.
What it is: a 4.6-mile round trip to a stone spire, with about 1,200 feet of climbing and real rock scrambling near the top. Rated hard.
Getting there: the Forest Service lot on VA-311, just past the Newport Rd (VA-624) intersection and Catawba Grocery. Plan on roughly 30–40 minutes from Blacksburg.
Good to know: the lot holds about two dozen cars, has vault toilets and doesn't allow overnight parking.
Our take: wear shoes with grip and skip it in the rain. The last stretch uses your hands.
What it is: the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail. Just under 8 miles round trip, about 1,400 feet of climbing, 4–6 hours.
Getting there: roughly 40–45 minutes from Blacksburg, toward Catawba on VA-311 (or via I-81 Exit 140 for the shuttle).
Parking: don't park along Route 311. Cars get towed. The McAfee Knob shuttle runs Friday through Sunday, March 6 to Nov 29, 2026, from the I-81 Exit 140 Park & Ride. It's $6 one way or $11 round trip. The last shuttle runs at 6:30 p.m. in October and 5 p.m. in November.
Good to know: dogs on a leash, no drones.
Our take: go on a weekday if you can. You'll have more room on the ledge.
Drive times are approximate from downtown Blacksburg. Fees, shuttle dates and trail conditions change, so check with the U.S. Forest Service, the Town of Blacksburg and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy before you go.
Pandapas Pond. The 1-mile loop is flat, accessible and about 3 miles from town.
Yes. Cascades near Pembroke is a 4-mile loop to a 66-foot falls, with a $3 parking fee.
Don't park on Route 311, where cars get towed. Take the weekend shuttle from the I-81 Exit 140 Park & Ride, or go on a weekday.
Rising Silo and Eastern Divide are good post-hike stops. See Things to Do in Blacksburg for more, Best Breakfast for the morning before, and our Game Day Guide if you're in town for a game. Got a favorite trail we missed? Tell us.
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