Between Franklin County, Roanoke County, Botetourt County, and the cities of Roanoke and Salem, Virginia’s Blue Ridge gives cyclists and bikers boundless exploration and a lifetime of recollections. Whether or not you like rolling highway rides or robust path climbs, each sort of two-wheeled rider will discover their very own little bit of biking paradise on this area.
Journey across the Roanoke Area
House to among the greatest hikes within the U.S., Roanoke can also be the right place to deliver your bike! Situated in the midst of “Virginia’s Blue Ridge” , Roanoke gives an unparalleled biking expertise with its various landscapes and intensive path community. With a vibrant biking group and a fame for producing elite athletes, this area guarantees unforgettable rides for cyclists of all ranges.
Mountain Biking
Carvins Cove is famend for its intensive community of trails, catering to all ability ranges with over 60 miles of singletrack. Discover Park supplies enjoyable routes by way of the forest and close to the Roanoke River , good for each inexperienced persons and seasoned bikers. Mill Mountain Park options difficult climbs and rewarding descents, all with gorgeous views of the town. For these in search of rugged backcountry adventures, the North Mountain and Arcadia areas of Jefferson Nationwide Forest in Botetourt Countyoffer among the hardest and most exhilarating trails within the area.
Highway Biking and Household-Pleasant
The Blue Ridge Parkway and the TransAmerica Bicycle Path provide world-class biking routes in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The Blue Ridge Parkway, famend for its difficult terrain, has been a coaching floor for Olympians. This area can also be dwelling to Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24, America’s premier girls’s biking crew, which has produced quite a few Olympians and gold medal winners.
For informal, enjoyable rides, discover the Roanoke Valley Greenways and native parks like Waid Park and Jamison Mill Park. These areas provide scenic, easy-going paths good for leisurely biking and household outings. For all of your biking wants, go to Cardinal Bicycle, Roanoke Mountain Adventures, or Simply the Proper Gear, which offer every thing from bike leases to professional recommendation.
Extra to Discover
For these in search of journey past biking, Virginia’s Blue Ridge gives a wealth of experiences. Hike the Appalachian Path’s VA Triple Crown, together with Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs, for among the area’s most breathtaking views. Paddle or tube alongside the Higher James River Water Path in Botetourt County for a refreshing water journey.
Rejoice every thing outdoor on the annual Roanoke GO Exterior Competition, occurring October 18-20, 2024. This signature out of doors occasion of the 12 months consists of gear demos, dwell music, distinctive reveals, and extra! With its enlargement to 2 areas—Downtown Roanoke and Discover Park—there’s much more to find this 12 months.
Full your go to with a visit to the Roanoke Star atop Mill Mountain, providing iconic views of the town skyline and surrounding mountains—preferrred for memorable selfies and scenic photographs. After a trip in Mill Mountain Park, unwind with a go to to Massive Lick Brewing Co., Golden Cactus Brewery, or Tuco’s Taqueria in downtown Roanoke.
Journey Round Each Flip in Franklin County
Calling all path riders, highway cyclists, and journey seekers to Franklin County, Va. Discover an space wealthy in lovely surroundings and tradition within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Get your journey began at Waid Park, a 500-acre park that includes over 16 miles of trails. You’ll trip sections of technical singletrack, river crossings, picket ramps, and rock gardens, plus you may check your talents on a bounce line, using expertise loop, and extra. Alongside the best way, you’ll encounter energetic farms and the Pigg River Blueway flowing by way of the park. You possibly can even hop on a piece of the Historic Previous Carolina Highway Path, a roadway settlers used within the 1700s.
Then head out to Jamison Mill Park for an extra 300 acres and 6 miles of interconnected loop trails. Situated on the sprawling Philpott Lake, you’ll have views for days, plus quick access to a fast settle down within the water. You possibly can even keep on the campground, open from April by way of October, for simple entry to the paths.
In the event you’re in search of a fast jaunt, the 1.5-mile Maurice Turner Path, within the charming city of Boones Mill, is the right escape into nature. Or, if highway biking is extra your jam, the Franklin County Freewheelers Bicycle Membership will help you discover one of the best again roads round for picturesque views and difficult climbs. Franklin County hosted the 2023 USA Biking Beginner Highway Nationwide Championships in June 2023. Cyclists can trip the Nationwide Championship Course by way of the hills of western Franklin County and evaluate their occasions to one of the best on this planet.
Head to Smith Mountain Lake for a mixture of leisure and recreation, from concert events at Coves Amphitheater and world-class fishing to lakefront lodging. Take pleasure in meals at Napoli Cowboy and Sago’s, and native spirits at Roosters Rise N Shine Distillery. Go to Bridgewater Plaza for household enjoyable, Twin Creeks Distillery for weekly old-time jams, and Anastasia’s Speakeasy for prohibition-themed cocktails. For extra data, go to VisitFranklinCountyVA.com.
Scenic Mountain Rides in Salem
Mountain bikers and highway cyclists will each love the Metropolis of Salem, VA, for its huge number of biking choices, to not point out countless après-ride enjoyable.
The Blue Ridge Mountains that encompass Salem are crammed with superior mountain biking trails. There are a whole lot of miles of trails inside minutes of downtown Salem, together with Carvins Cove Recreation Space and Discover Park. A extra leisurely choice is the Roanoke River Greenway, a well-liked multi-use path that connects Salem and Roanoke.
There are additionally numerous peaceable again roads for highway cyclists to take pleasure in an extended trip by way of the countryside. Many riders take into account it a bucket checklist merchandise to trip America’s most well-known scenic highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway.
After a day of using the paths, you’ll be prepared for some refreshment. Elevate a glass at Olde Salem Brewing and Parkway Brewing Firm. These locally-owned breweries serve nice IPAs, pilsners, lagers and a few of their very own inventive concoctions all in a enjoyable, pleasant ambiance the place riders are at all times welcome. The eating scene in Salem is simply as various because the out of doors recreation choices. Stroll down Major Avenue in Salem’s pretty downtown and also you’ll discover dozens of nice eating selections. Pattern southern consolation meals at Gina’s Meals With Taste; Dine in type at Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse; Savor nice sandwiches and salads at Macado’s; And expertise the wings and well-known calzones at Mac and Bob’s, an establishment in Salem for greater than 40 years.
Salem is positioned in Virginia’s Blue Ridge and simply accessible from I-81 and Route 460. Lengthen your keep on the Lofts at Downtown Salem the place they provide an indoor bike rack, wash space out again and have free loaner bikes for friends to make use of downtown. In the event you’re in search of a vacation spot that gives countless enjoyable within the nice outdoor, plan an journey at VisitSalemVA.com.
