Southwestern Virginia | Mountain Bike Trail Maps | Hiking Trail Maps
| Park Name | Description | Surfaces | Length |
| Douthat State Park | This state park is situated around the 50 acre picturesque Douthat Lake.
There are a multitude of water and land activities including fishing, canoeing, hiking and mountain biking.
The park also offers rustic cabins for rent and tent & camper sites.
The over 40 miles of trails are intermediate to difficult level due to the hilly terrain and rocky sections.
Since the trailheads are located at lower elevations and the trails head upward on either side of Wilson Creek and Douthat Lake,
most of the loops will have you climbing for quite a while. Hence, be prepared for a great cardio workout & your efforts will be
rewarded at the end - the technical descents back to the lake are a blast. | Singletrack with rocky sections, switchbacks, and numerous creek crossings. | 40 miles |
| Carvins Cove | Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is the second largest municipal park in the country.
Within its 12,700 acres, are opportunities for a wide
variety of outdoor activities. Boating, fishing, and canoeing are available on the picturesque 800 acre lake. Canoe and paddleboat rentals are available at
the Boat Dock offices. Also, a large picnic area overlooking the lake is located at the Boat Dock.
The hilly terrain surrounding the lake offers over 40 miles of biking, hiking and equestrian trails.
Carvins Cove has a wide variety of singletrack trails, ranging from fast, smooth flowing trails to technical, rocky terrain.
In addition, there are miles and miles of fire roads offering long steady cardio climbs.
The Appalachian Trail follows the park boundary along the nortern half of the park.
NOTE: When mountain biking bench-cut trails along some of the steeper hillsides, stay along the inner edge of the trail.
The outer edge is soft along many sections and has the potential of giving way.
We noticed these conditions on the following trails: Buck, The Trough, and The Gauntlet.
NOTE: Pick up a day pass before driving to the Carvins Cove Rd parking lot. Passes can be purchased at the Boat Dock offices and at some of the
bike shops in the area. Please check the county website for more information. | Singletrack, doubletrack | 40 Miles |
| Pandapas Pond / Brush Mountain | Located within cycling distance of Blacksburg, this park is nestled in the hills of Jefferson National Forest.
Pandapas Pond has something for everyone - for a technically easy ride, hop onto the Poverty Creek Trail, which runs the length of the park,
and then ride back on the fire road.
For more of a more technical challenge, take any of the numerous side trails off of the Poverty Creek Trail or off the Fire Road, which are steep and intermittently rocky. | Forest roads, singletrack. | 30 miles |
| New River Trail State Park | New River Trail State Park follows an abandoned rail bed, winding its way along the New River from Pulaski at the northern end to Galax at the southern end.
Along this 57 mile, gently sloping multi-use trail, you will find beautiful views of the New River. Pack a lunch and enjoy the scenery from one of the
numerous picnic tables along the way.
If you cycle at New River Trail State Park, we recommend making Shot Tower State Park your starting point.
Located at about the midpoint of the trail, this park features the historic Jackson Ferry Shot Tower which was built in 1807 to make ammunition for firearms.
The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Shot Tower State Park also has a cozy campground located right next to the river.
Tubing and canoeing on the river are also popular activities at this location. | | 57 Miles |