A little “peace” of heaven just off the Blue Ridge Parkway
There are many great choices for hiking around Fancy Gap, Virginia. There are beautiful vistas, waterfalls, bold flowing creeks, historical sites, wild ponies and more. Hike hard or look for something a little more laid back. If you like hiking, check out our list of the top 10 hikes around Fancy Gap. Most are less than an hour from Pilot’s Perch Cabin, where you can soak in the hot tub after your hike.
Doughton Park has been on our list of top ten hikes near Fancy Gap for awhile, and I recently had the pleasure of hiking one of its many trails. Doughton Park is noteworthy for open meadows, remote creek-hopping trails, and cabins and ruins from the late 19th and early 20th century mountain community. There are … Read more
Grayson Highlands State Park is a beautiful park in far southwest Virginia. You can see for miles atop bald peaks that provide 360 degree long-range views. Grayson Highlands State Park is probably best known as home to a herd of hiking companions, wild ponies that roam the park helping to keep growth down in the … Read more
Pilot Mountain State Park features great views of the Piedmont and the surrounding mountains. You’ll see the rest of the Sauratown Mountains, of which Pilot Mountain is a part. The countryside spreads out below the namesake mountain. Winston-Salem is even visible on a clear day. Pilot Mountain State Park Trails It is a very popular … Read more
Hiking Hanging Rock State Park is a great way to see the beautiful Blue Ridge mountain range, including a distant view of the peaks around Fancy Gap. There are 13 trails totaling more than 20 miles in the park. There are peaks with great views and hikes to beautiful waterfalls. It’s a great option when … Read more
Devil’s Den Nature Preserve is a nice, short hike about a mile from “downtown” Fancy Gap. It’s a great option if you’re short on time and want to get a quick hike in. The Hike The trail descends a half mile down to the cave. It’s a short, moderate hike if you stay on the … Read more
Stone Mountain State Park is a very unique place to hike. The park features several hiking trails, the most popular of which circles the iconic granite mountain, makes its way along Stone Mountain Falls and provides a glimpse into what life was like centuries before it was even made a state park. Stone Mountain Loop … Read more
Cumberland Knob, Where the Blue Ridge Parkway Began The Cumberland Knob Recreation Area offers a couple of nice hikes — one easy and one moderate to strenuous. It is located at mile marker 217.5 on the Parkway near the Virginia/North Carolina state line. The Parkway got its start in 1935 in this area. The recreation … Read more
I have fond memories of hiking and backpacking in Rocky Knob Recreation Area. My sons and I camped in the well shaded primitive campground in the gorge next to Rock Castle Creek. We used it as a base camp for the loop hike up to the top and then back down again. My daughters and … Read more
There are many great choices for hiking around Fancy Gap, Virginia. There are beautiful vistas, waterfalls, bold flowing creeks, historical sites, wild ponies and more. Hike hard or look for something a little more laid back. If you like hiking, check out our list of the top 10 hikes around Fancy Gap. Most are less … Read more
360 Degree Views! Buffalo Mountain is one of the most visible landmarks in Fancy Gap and the surrounding area. It makes for a great hike. It’s a great place for a picnic or a sunset view. The peak towers above the rest of Floyd County, Carroll County and other neighboring counties, and the 360 degree … Read more
