Willis, Virginia

Top Spots in and near Willis

Willis, Virginia
Hike Buffalo Mountain

4.7

2 mi / 700 ft gain

COVID-19 CLOSURE: Due to Covid-19, this trail will be closed effective April 10, 2020 at 8 PM until June 24, 2020. A short 1.0 mile hike to the summit with 700’ elevation gain, the trail switchbacks steeply up to the exposed rocky summit. To the north you can see Sharp Top and Flat Top at the Pe...
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Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Photograph Mabry Mill

4.7

Mabry Mill is one of the most photographed spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and rightfully so. Located at MP 176.1 the mill is beautiful in any season and easily accessed from the parking lot. Since this place is so popular, be prepared for crowds.This place is a nice " leg-stretcher" if driving ...
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Floyd, Virginia
Hike Rock Castle Gorge

4.0

This 10.8 mile loop is a very demanding, but very rewarding hike that will take most of the day to complete. The hike can be started from many different locations but in this write-up it starts at the Saddle Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the loop is in the counter-clockwise direction.Fro...
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Dublin, Virginia
Camp at Claytor Lake State Park

4.0

Claytor Lake is a very well maintained state park in Dublin, VA. There are four campgrounds available. Campgrounds A, B and C are mostly for tent camping with no electric or water hookups, while campground D accommodates RV units with water and electric hookups.Claytor Lake is idea for families l...
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Draper, Virginia
Bike the New River Trail

5.0

57 mi

There are several locations to begin your trek on the New River Trail, but our favorite is the Draper Valley area. The pin on the map will take you right to the parking lot. There is a $5 state park fee and a self-pay envelope station. From here we head south, and after about a mile you catch you...
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Shawsville, Virginia
Hike to Stiles Falls

4.8

3 mi / 500 ft gain

Park at the Alta Mons camp parking lot, and start walking the gravel road. There will be signs throughout the trail that lead to the waterfall. Continue down the trail for 1.5 miles. Look out for the white trail markers that indicate the Stiles Falls trail. After 1.5 miles, you will reach the wat...
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Blacksburg, Virginia
Hike the Coal Mining Heritage Park and Loop Trail

5.0

1 mi

This is a part of the Huckleberry Trail (which is paved), but off of it is the dirt hiking/walking trail loop. It is a really fun area to explore, and the parts that are on the Huckleberry have plaques with historical information on it which is all very interesting. It also has a beautiful wooden...
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Walnut Cove, North Carolina
Lower Cascade Falls

4.4

0.75 mi / 105 ft gain

A beautiful hike through the forest of Hanging Rock State Park. Trail meanders through pines and hardwoods filled with boulders, mountain laurel, scenic views, and the occasional deer or turkey. The trail begins as gravel and dirt then turns into steps made of wood and stone. Also on the trail is...
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Walnut Cove, North Carolina
Hike the Sauratown Trail

22 mi / 800 ft gain

You can through-hike or section hike. I did it from Tory's Den to the Corridor Trail Parking Lot in about 10 hours. Check the Sauratown Trail Association's website before traveling. It is a bridle and hiking trail so the hiking is fairly easy. A lot of it travels beside streams. In other places...
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Danbury, North Carolina
Hanging Rock

4.4

2.45 mi / 515 ft gain

Park in the main parking lot for Hanging Rock State Park, and the trailhead can easily be found in the upper parking lot (furthest away from the main building), and is clearly marked. The trail starts off by descending, but don't be fooled, it quickly turns into a steady climb that will have you ...
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Danbury, North Carolina
Hanging Rock and Cole Gap Mountain Loop

4.5

3.95 mi / 623 ft gain

Beautiful hike through the forest up to an elevation of 2000+ feet for Hanging Rock. The Hanging Rock Trail is 1.3 miles one way. It includes a moderate incline up a well-kept dirt and gravel trail then, turns into steps made of timber, rock, and boulders (330 steps to be more exact!). Well worth...
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Walnut Cove, North Carolina
Hike and Rock Climb Moore's Knob

4.3

Looking for a shorter hike with stunning views, or a place to rappel with a backdrop like no other on the East Coast? Look no further than Moore's Knob, located within Hanging Rock State Park. Just North of Winston-Salem, Moore's Knob is one of the many wonders of the Sauratown Mountains. At 2579...
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Blacksburg, Virginia
Float New River

5.0

Starting at the "falls" below the New River Junction you can enjoy a three day float trip down to Bluff City near Pearisburg. [Tangent Outfitters in Pembroke can rent you kayaks and shuttle you to the start point and pick you up at the end point if you don't have 2 vehicles to leave] Trip can be ...
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Pinnacle, North Carolina
Rock Climb at Pilot Mountain SP

5.0

Wide assortment of climbing on some of the best granite in the world. The grades range from 5.5 to 5.13 so anyone could find their level. It is a very top rope friendly climbing area. All thanks to the Carolina Climbers Coalition who regularly check and maintain all of the bolts located on all of...
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Pinnacle, North Carolina
Hike the Jomeokee Trail at Pilot Mountain SP

4.3

0.8 mi / 100 ft gain

This unique peak, also known as the Big Pinnacle, is in Pilot Mountain State Park. From the main parking area on top of the mountain on Pilot Knob Park Road, you can first view the Big Pinnacle from the overlook attached to the parking lot. The prominent mountain behind the Big Pinnacle is Hang...
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Newport, Virginia
Hike through the New River Cave

4.7

2 mi / 332 ft gain

After reaching the parking area, cross the road and continue up the trail for about 0.3 miles. At the kiosk, make sure to register in order to indicate that you are going into the cave. After passing the kiosk and some rocky portions of the trail, you will approach the cave entrance. The cave goe...
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