Dan Casey

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The New River Trail, the state's only linear park, is a 57-mile- long packed cinder trail that meanders along the New River between Pulaski and Galax.

Don't let the name of the river fool you: Geologists say this broad, North Carolina-to-West Virginia waterway is one of the oldest rivers on the continent. It's also one of the few that flows south-to-north.

The trail is built along an old rail line that hugs the edge of a steep river bank. In many places you're 30 or more feet above the river and looking down on it. Hallmarks of its former use still exist: Old train trestles have been converted to bike-friendly ravine crossings. A couple mountain tunnels south of Shot Tower State Park allow you to cross through the mountain, rather than kill yourself going over it. You'll see sheer rock walls, pastoral farmland, wildflower meadows.

Notes

A mountain bike or an old fat-tired one-speed are the best bikes to ride on this trail. A road bike's thin tires are apt to sink in the crushed stone cinders, which can be very soft in spots.

Trail maps are available at most of the parking areas. They mark bathroom facilities (six along the 57-mile stretch) and picnic grounds.

There's one problem that a number of bikers have messaged me about: a 2-mile stretch of the trail just north of Foster Falls has been blocked due to a property dispute. You may have to figure out a way around it. Check your maps or with the park ranger.

When I visited, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation was still finishing restoring a old mill and train station at Foster Falls.

Also located at the Falls is a satellite shop of New River Adventures, a Wytheville-based outdoors company. They sell snacks and drinks, and they'll rent you bikes, canoes or kayaks. They also offer shuttle service. For info, call (540) 228-8311.

Dan Casey | The Roanoke Times

On the path of the New River Valley trail

Statistics

• Distance: Between 1 and 57 miles -- as far as you want to make it.
• Time: Depends on distance.
• Terrain -- flat as a pancake.
• Difficulty level (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the hardest): 1.
• Stores/conveniences along route: Here and there.
• Traffic: None.
• Scenery: Stunning river and mountain views, chock full of wildflowers, meadows, rock formations and whitewater.

Related

Map

• Map of the New River Valley trail

Reader Comments

Thanks for your listing of bike rides. My son, age 7, and I have recently started biking, so we are especially interested in "piece of cake" rides. Your page will help a lot.

We live near Blacksburg so have ridden the Huckleberry Trail but it's short and gets very crowded. We look forward to the Virginia Creeper trail and the New River Valley Trail near Shot Tower.

Please keep including family rides. It was encouraging to see your kids on the trail.

--Margie Sentelle

Getting there from Roanoke

Take Interstate 81 south of Roanoke to Interstate 77 south, toward Charlotte. Take exit 24 (the first after you cross the New River) and follow the signs to New River Trail access.

You can park at Shot Tower State Park and get on the trail there. Or you can continue down the road to Foster Falls. Parking here costs $2.

You can rent bikes at Foster Falls by the hour or day. Canoes and kayaks are available also. So is a shuttle service if you want to ride only one-way. One-way driving distance from Roanoke to Foster Falls is about 85 miles.