What To Do
Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding Trails
One of the best ways to explore Bedford and the surrounding region is by hiking, biking and on horseback. Check out the information below:
Hiking
Appalachian Trail:
The Appalachian Trail is accessible all along the Blue Ridge Parkway. From Bedford, access the trail at Milepost 80.5 Floyd Field, 90.9 Bearwallow Gap or Milepost 92.5 Sharp Top Overlook.
Blue Ridge Parkway - Peaks of Otter Trails:
The Peaks of Otter is located at Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, eight miles from the City of Bedford.
Sharp Top Trail: One and one-half miles to the summit, this is the most popular trail at the Peaks. It originates from the Camp Store across the Parkway from the Visitors Center. It is a steep and strenuous route and should only be attempted by those in good health. Drinking water should be carried. The summit offers impressive 360-degree views of the Peaks of Otter, the Piedmont to the east, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley with the Allegheny Mountain to the west. There is a spur to Buzzard’s Roost, a series of large rock formations; bus service is operated one-way and round trip seasonally. Hiking along the bus road is prohibited. Allow two hours up and one hour down plus an additional hour for the spur to Buzzard’s Roost.
Elk Run Loop Trail: This 0.8 mile trail begins behind the Peaks of Otter Visitors Center. It is one of the least strenuous of the Peaks trails and is self-guiding with written displays describing the forest community. For a leisurely walk, allow one hour.
Harkening Hill Loop Trail: This 3.3 mile trail also begins behind the Visitors Center and across from the amphitheater. It is steep and strenuous in places and climbs to a ridge where several long distance views are possible including a panorama of the Johnson Farm that can be reached from the trail. A spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock.
Flat Top Trail: This trail was designated, along with Fallingwater Cascades trail, as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982. Flat Top rises to an elevation of 4,004 feet with many scattered rock outcrops such as Pinnacle and Cross Rock. On this trail, hikers can experience the changing forest ecology as they climb or descend 1,600 feet from the Parkway trail heads.
Fallingwater Cascades Trail: The other segment of the National Recreation Trail is a long trail that takes hikers along the cascades on Fallingwater Creek with its huge rock outcrops clothed in rhododendron and large hemlocks. This trails drops 260 feet below the Fallingwater parking area. Hikers should be prepared to climb that elevation on their return; experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort.
Abbott Lake Trail: The least difficult of the Peaks trails is this one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake.
Peaks trail maps are available at the Bedford Welcome Center and the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. For general Parkway information call 828-298-0398 or visit www.mps.gov/blri.
Jefferson National Forest:
Patterson Mountain Trail: Patterson Mountain Trail is 6.5 miles in length and intersects with Tucker Trail (1.0 mi), Helms Trail (1.6 mi) and Elmore Trail (2.5 mi). The Loop Trail is 1.5 miles. There are good views of Price Mountain, Bald Mountain, Potts Mountain and Richpatch Mountain. The recommended season is all year except for deer season. It is a more difficult trail, requiring some skill. Trail is marked with signs and yellow blazes.
Directions: From Bedford take U.S. 460 West to Alternate 220. Turn right. Alternate 220 will turn into US 220. Take 220 to Fincastle. Turn left on VA 606 and go 8.8 miles to Rt. 612. Turn right and go 0.3 miles to FS 194. Stay on FS 184 for 1.6 miles to Trailhead on south end of Patterson Mountain.
Roaring Run Furnace: 1.5 mile loop. Recommended season is all year; it is especially nice in hot weather. The trail is easy, requiring limited skill and features a cascading stream and scenic waterfalls. Standing pre-civil war iron ore furnace, used for making iron ingots, stoves and other iron products for the building of America. Picnic tables and grills, vault toilets. No potable water. Trail marked with signs.
Directions: From Bedford take US 460 West. Turn right on Alternate 220. Take US 220 north past Eagle Rock. At Rte 615, turn left and go 5.5 miles to Rte 621. Turn right and go 1 mile. Roaring Run entrance on left.
Hoop Hole Trail on Pine Mountain: Lower Loop is 4 miles, total trail 9 miles. Lower loop offers easy walk through mixed forest with numerous creek crossings. Side trail leads 0.5 miles to the site of an old sawmill. Upper loop provides more strenuous hikes with good views. Iron Ore trail (2.4 miles) connects upper loop to Roaring Run Furnace. There are no facilities on Hoop Hole Trail. The trail is marked with signs and yellow blazes. Directions. From Bedford take 460 West to Alternate 220. Turn right and proceed north past Eagle Rock. At Rte 615, turn left and go 8 miles to trailhead. Road signs on right.
The Jefferson National Forest Service phone number is 540-265-5100.
Liberty Lake Park: This 60-acre park located on Burks Hill Road in Bedford offers a series of nature trails that include a paved handicapped accessible trail.
Reynolds Park: This 5-acre park, located on North Main Street in Bedford, offers a small loop trail.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park: Four trails are offered at Smith Mountain Lake State Park for hiking and biking. Chestnut (1.9 miles) and Turtle Island Trail (1.3 miles) are considered moderately difficult and Lake View Trail (.5 miles) and Tobacco Run Trail (.7 miles) are considered easy.
Virginia’s Explore Park: Explore Park has six miles of nature trails. The fee for non-members is $8 and includes entrance to the Outdoor Living History Museum. Members have free access. The Society of American Foresters Trail, located behind the Brugh Tavern, is free to all visitors. Explore Park is located at Milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 540-427-1800, toll-free 800-842-9163, www.explorepark.org.
Biking
Blue Ridge Parkway: The Parkway offers 460 miles of picturesque travel across Virginia and North Carolina. Ranging in elevations from 600 to 6,000 feet, the road encompasses a variety of ever changing weather conditions, regardless of the season. The Parkway was designed as a scenic leisure road for motor vehicles so bikers should use caution and be prepared for significant distances between developed areas and services that may vary by season. Parkway maps are available at the Bedford Welcome Center the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center or visit www.nps.gov/blri.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park: Four trails are offered at Smith Mountain Lake State Park for hiking or biking. Chestnut (1.9 miles) and Turtle Island Trail (1.3 miles) are considered moderately difficult and Lake View Trail (.5 miles) and Tobacco Run Trail (.7 miles) are considered easy.
Virginia’s Explore Park: Explore Park features 12 miles of well-maintained mountain bike trails. Bike trail maps are available in the Arthur Taubman Welcome Center. Fee for non-members is $3. Members free. Explore Park rents all equipment needed for mountain biking. Explore Park is located at Milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 540-427-1800, toll-free 800-842-9163, www.explorepark.org.
Horseback Riding
Washington and Jefferson National Forest/Blue Ridge Parkway Trails:
Day Creek Horse Trailhead: From Bedford take U.S. 460 west. Turn right on Rt. 697. Go .06 mile, turn left on FS 196. Parking is 0.4 miles on left. Turn left on FS 2087 to enter parking area.
Bearwallow Gap Horse Trailhead: From Bedford take 43 North to Peaks of Otter. Turn left on Parkway (this is also 43 North). Go 5 miles and take right on 43 North where it turns off Parkway. Turn left on Rt. 625. Parking is 0.3 miles on the left.
Hunting Creek Horse Trailhead: From Bedford take Route 122 North to Rte. 602. After 0.5 miles, Rte. 602 turns left. Continue on Rte. 602 for another 3.4 miles. Parking is on the left.
Hellgate Creek Horse Trailhead: From Bedford take Rte 43 N to I-81 and take Exit 175 - Route 130 and Natural Bridge. Turn right onto Rte 130 and go 3.2 miles. Turn right on Rt. 759, go 0.7 miles, turn left on Rte 782. After 1 mile turn right on Rte 815 and go about 0.3 miles. Parking area is on the right.
For more information or trail maps, call or write the US Forest Service, PO Box 10, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579, 540-291-2188.
Long Meadows Farms, LLC
2428 Carters Mill Road
Huddleston, VA 24104
540-297-8911
540-297-3758 - Fax
Email: longmeadowsfarm@yahoo.com
LMI offers riding lessons (Hunt Seat) and training for all levels, we also have a large selection of horses for sale throughout the year, especially for fox hunters. LMI has 600 acres of trails and x-country jumps and an all weather ring. Turn-out board is available. We also provide Equestrian services to Mariner's Landing.
Otter Ridge Farm
Mrs. Carl Beckman
6380 Peaks Road
Bedford,VA 24523
540-586-3810
Instruction(English Seat), All Ages
Riding Camps in June
Sales: Hunter Ponies(cross breeds),Specializing in breeding show ponies for young riders
Reba Farm Inn, also home of Saddle Soar Equitainment located a stone's throw from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Peaks of Otter, open year round offering 2-1/2 hrs Trail Rides, All-Day Trail Rides w/lunch included, Overnight Camping & Trail Ride w/dinner and breakfast included, Bunk & Bridle 4-Night Packages, Family Rides, Family First Packages, Children's Rides & Hayrides, and Internship Programs. "Best Trail Rides Along the Blue Ridge"
1099 Reba Farm Lane, Bedford, VA 24523
Bedford, Virginia 24523
(540) 586-1906
888-235-3574
Fax: (540) 587-0917
Website: www.rebafarminn.com.
Email: rebafarminn@rebafarminn.com
Slocum's Appaloosa Ranch
4850 Glade Creek Road,
Roanoke, VA 24012
540-977-4432
If no answer: Trails 540-473-3778
Lessons: 540-473-3335
Come join us for guided, scenic trail rides through miles of beautiful wooded trails. Horse riding for all levels! Trails scheduled daily! We're open year round! Please call ahead. Slocum's Offer: Trails Rides, Pony Rides, Boarding, Riding Lessons, Birthday, Parties, Riding Events, Day Camps, Picnic Areas, Horse Sales, Volunteer Programs!
Directions from "Historic Bedford": Take US-460 West for 23 miles. (if you pass Bonsack Wal-Mart, you've gone too far!) Turn left onto Bonsack Road NE. Continue 0.5 miles. Turn left onto Glade Creek Road. Continue across the railroad tracks. First drive on the left. Parking at the top of the hill.
Triple M Trail Rides
Mill Iron Road
Goodview, VA 24095
540-420-3195
540-890-8992
Rides available on weekends starting at 9:00am and 2:00pm. There will also be some all day rides available at times. Please call for more information.
© 2007 Bedford Tourism and Welcome Center
816 Burks Hill Road | Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: 540-587-5681 | 1-877-447-3257 | Fax: 540-587-5983
Photos used on the website are courtesy of Lynn Kirby, AxisCreativeNet,
Don Hall Photography, and Gar Brandt Photography. All Rights Reserved.
