The one mile Lakeside Trail is an easy loop trail around Sherando Lake. The .75 mile Cliff Trail forms another loop off the Lakeside Trail. It is somewhat steeper and more difficult but offers excellent views. The Blue Loop Trail begins at the campground, climbs to the top of Torry Ridge and circles Sherando Lake. It features excellent views and forms a nice 3 mile circuit hike with the Torry Ridge Trail (see our feature for trail description by bike). The 2.5 mile White Rock Gap Trail follows along Back Creek to the Blue Ridge Parkway. All of these trails are accessible from the Sherando Lake Recreation Area or from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Long distance hikers and backpackers will enjoy trekking the renown Appalachian Trail, 58 miles of which passes through the Pedlar Ranger District enroute from Maine to Georgia. The"AT", a National Scenic Trail since 1968, is a public footpath now totaling 2,144 miles. It had its beginnings in the 1920's and is now managed cooperatively by the Forest Service, the Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) and local Appalachian Trail Clubs. Eight primitive, overnight shelters are available along the trail. Numerous good access points with adequate space for overnight parking are available.

The 3-mile Crabtree Falls Trail has four overlooks offering spectacular views of the Crabtree Creek Falls and lovely vistas of the Tye River Valley. A fairly vigorous 1.7 mile hike takes you from the trailhead parking lot on SR 56 up to the overlook at the top of the upper falls. The falls include five major cascades and a number of smaller ones that fall a total of 1200 feet. From the upper falls the trail follows the creek another 1.2 miles to the Crabtree Meadows parking lot.

From Buena Vista, take U.S. 60 east to the Blue Ridge Parkway and then go north on the Parkway to the Whetstone Ridge Park Ranger Station. At the Ranger Station turn right and at the stop sign turn left. When that road ends turn right onto State Route 56 and follow the signs to the lower parking lot.

The Hotel Trail, completed in 1989, makes an approximate 4-mile loop hike using part of the Appalachian Trail. The Hotel Trail can be accessed from the parking lot for the Henry Lanum Trail. The trail takes off to the right of the parking lot as you enter from FDR 48. It winds through open fields and meadows, along Little Cove Creek, and intersects with the Appalachian Trail at Cow Camp Gap. A three-sided Appalachian Trail shelter is located nearby. Hikers can then turn northeasterly on the Appalachian Trail and hike approximately 2 miles to Hog Camp Gap. From there it is only a 10 minute hike back to the parking lot on FDR 48.

The 3.2 mile Kennedy Ridge Trail (see our feature for trail description by bike) is a scenic trail following a ridgetop through mountain laurel and rhododendron. It features several openings that provide excellent views of the valley below. The trail can be reached off FDR 42 (the Coal Road), which is first road east of and 0.1 miles past the Coles Run Dam. The trail can also be accessed off the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Bald Mountain Overlook near Green Pond (approximately 3.4 miles from the Parkway).

The 2.7 mile Lovingston Spring Trail connects the Appalachian Trail with FDR 1176. It provides the hiker an opportunity for a peaceful walk through the woods along a ridge on Elk Pond Mountain. The trail, at its junction with the Appalachian Trail, is very close to the Seeley-Woodworth Trail Shelter. To access the beginning of the trail take U.S. 60 to the intersection with SR 634 at Hamms Country Store. Follow SR 634 north to the end of state maintenance, where the road becomes FDR 63. Continue along FDR 63 until it tops a hill and intersects with FDR 48 to the south and FDR 1179 to the north. Turn north onto FDR 1176. When the road forks stay on the left fork (FDR 1176) until it makes a sharp curve (approximately 1/3 miles). This is the beginning of the Lovingston Springs Trail.

Little Rocky Row Run Trail is a 2.7 mile trail which connects the Appalachian Trail to State Route 501. It offers the hiker an opportunity to view plant succession and reclamation of a burned area. The beginning point of the trail is on SR 501 south of Glasgow. The trail is signed "Bluff Mountain Trail" and begins 2.4 miles south of the junction of SR 501 and SR 130.

The Mau-Har Trail (also known locally as the Campbell's Creek Trail) is 2.8 miles long and connects the Appalachian Trail above the Harper's Creek Trail Shelter with the Appalachian Trail at the Maupin Fields Trail Shelter. The trail proceeds down the drainage at the head of Campbell's Creek to a small waterfall, then sidehills through the woods to tie in again with the Appalachian Trail. To access the trail, follow the Blue Ridge Parkway to Reed's Gap. You may park there and walk the AT south for approximately 2 miles to the Maupin Field Shelter. From there you can begin to follow the Mau-Har Trail south to the intersection with the AT near Harpers Creek Shelter.

The 7-mile Mills Creek Trail (see our feature for trail description by bike) winds through several logged areas and climbs out on Big Levels near the Bald Mountain overlook. To access the Coal Road and the trail, take SR 664 south from Sherando approximately 1.7 miles. FDR 42 (Coal Road) is to the right. Follow the Coal Road until you find the second gated road to the left, turn left, and follow it to where the road is blocked. The trail begins here in the old road. The trail can also be accessed approximately 1.3 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Bald Mountain Overlook.

The Henry Lanum Loop Trail is a gradually winding trail to the top of Pompey Mountain (elevation 4,032 feet). It follows the ridge toward the top of Mt. Pleasant (elevation 4,021 feet). The 6.2 mile circuit trail provides numerous panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take SR 634 exit off U.S. 60 at Hamms Country Store. Follow SR 634 north for about 2 miles to SR 755. Turn right, and follow SR 755 northeast for 2.2 miles to FDR 48. Follow FDR 48 east to Hog Camp Gap. This trail was formerly called the Pompey/Mt. Pleasant Loop Trail, but was renamed in 1991 in memory of Henry Lanum, a dedicated Appalachian Trail club member who spent many hours maintaining trails.

The Saddle Gap Trail is 2.5 miles in length and connects the Appalachian Trail with FDR 36 near the old Amlite slate mine and processing plant. From Glasgow, take SR 501 south about 4 miles. Turn left onto FDR 36 at the Amlite sign and proceed north 1.9 miles. The trail begins off an old dirt road to the left.

The South Pedlar ATV Trail System is a looping network of approximately 25 miles of trails designed for the recreational all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rider. The system features trails ranging from wide and easy to narrow, twisting and challenging. Users have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic vistas, groves of large trees, and spectacular mountain laurel blooms in season. The system is open to unlicensed ATV's, motorbikes, and mountain bikes. It is served by two trailhead parking lots, both accessed off SR 130. A parking fee is charged. From Buena Vista, take US 501 south about 13 miles to SR 130. Follow SR 130 about 1 mile to FDR 564. Turn left and follow the signs to the Rattlesnake Trailhead Parking Lot. The Terrapin Trailhead turn-off is about .75 miles further on SR 130.