Between Franklin County, Roanoke County, Botetourt County, and the cities of Roanoke and Salem, Virginia’s Blue Ridge affords cyclists and bikers boundless exploration and a lifetime of recollections. Whether or not you favor rolling street rides or robust path climbs, each type of two-wheeled rider will discover their very own little bit of biking paradise on this area.
Experience across the Roanoke Area
Residence to a few of the finest hikes within the U.S., Roanoke can also be the proper place to carry your bike! Positioned in the course of “Virginia’s Blue Ridge” , Roanoke affords an unparalleled biking expertise with its numerous landscapes and in depth path community. With a vibrant biking group and a status for producing elite athletes, this area guarantees unforgettable rides for cyclists of all ranges.
Mountain Biking
Carvins Cove is famend for its in depth community of trails, catering to all talent ranges with over 60 miles of singletrack. Discover Park gives enjoyable routes via the forest and close to the Roanoke River , excellent for each novices and seasoned bikers. Mill Mountain Park options difficult climbs and rewarding descents, all with gorgeous views of town. For these in search of rugged backcountry adventures, the North Mountain and Arcadia areas of Jefferson Nationwide Forest in Botetourt Countyoffer a few of the hardest and most exhilarating trails within the area.
Street 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 house to Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24, America’s premier ladies’s biking staff, which has produced quite a few Olympians and gold medal winners.
For informal, stress-free rides, discover the Roanoke Valley Greenways and native parks like Waid Park and Jamison Mill Park. These areas provide scenic, easy-going paths excellent 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 give every thing from bike leases to skilled recommendation.
Extra to Discover
For these in search of journey past biking, Virginia’s Blue Ridge affords a wealth of experiences. Hike the Appalachian Path’s VA Triple Crown, together with Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs, for a few of the area’s most breathtaking views. Paddle or tube alongside the Higher James River Water Path in Botetourt County for a refreshing water journey.
Have a good time every thing outside on the annual Roanoke GO Outdoors Pageant, occurring October 18-20, 2024. This signature out of doors occasion of the 12 months consists of tools demos, dwell music, distinctive exhibits, and extra! With its growth 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 town skyline and surrounding mountains—ideally suited for memorable selfies and scenic photographs. After a experience in Mill Mountain Park, unwind with a go to to Large Lick Brewing Co., Golden Cactus Brewery, or Tuco’s Taqueria in downtown Roanoke.
Journey Round Each Flip in Franklin County
Calling all path riders, street cyclists, and journey seekers to Franklin County, Va. Discover an space wealthy in stunning 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 experience sections of technical singletrack, river crossings, wood ramps, and rock gardens, plus you may take a look at your skills on a leap line, driving expertise loop, and extra. Alongside the best way, you’ll encounter energetic farms and the Pigg River Blueway flowing via the park. You may even hop on a bit of the Historic Previous Carolina Street Path, a roadway settlers used within the 1700s.
Then head out to Jamison Mill Park for a further 300 acres and 6 miles of interconnected loop trails. Positioned on the sprawling Philpott Lake, you’ll have views for days, plus quick access to a fast settle down within the water. You may even keep on the campground, open from April via October, for simple entry to the paths.
For those who’re in search of a fast jaunt, the 1.5-mile Maurice Turner Path, within the charming city of Boones Mill, is the proper escape into nature. Or, if street biking is extra your jam, the Franklin County Freewheelers Bicycle Membership will help you discover the most effective again roads round for picturesque views and difficult climbs. Franklin County hosted the 2023 USA Biking Novice Street Nationwide Championships in June 2023. Cyclists can experience the Nationwide Championship Course via the hills of western Franklin County and examine their instances to the most effective on the earth.
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 street cyclists will each love the Metropolis of Salem, VA, for its huge number of biking choices, to not point out infinite après-ride enjoyable.
The Blue Ridge Mountains that encompass Salem are full of 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 possibility is the Roanoke River Greenway, a well-liked multi-use path that connects Salem and Roanoke.
There are additionally plenty of peaceable again roads for street cyclists to get pleasure from a protracted experience via the countryside. Many riders take into account it a bucket listing merchandise to experience America’s most well-known scenic street, the Blue Ridge Parkway.
After a day of driving 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 artistic concoctions all in a enjoyable, pleasant environment the place riders are all the time welcome. The eating scene in Salem is simply as numerous because the out of doors recreation choices. Stroll down Predominant Avenue in Salem’s beautiful downtown and also you’ll discover dozens of nice eating selections. Pattern southern consolation meals at Gina’s Meals With Taste; Dine in fashion 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 situated 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 company to make use of downtown. For those who’re in search of a vacation spot that provides infinite enjoyable within the nice outside, plan an journey at VisitSalemVA.com.
