Hiking Project Logo

Forming the headwaters of the Roanoke River, Bottom Creek Gorge boasts spectacular scenery.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

4.2

Miles

6.8

KM

Loop

2,688' 819 m

High

2,407' 734 m

Low

558' 170 m

Up

557' 170 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

34%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Waterfall · Wildlife

Overview

This route follows a meandering path through Bottom Creek Gorge, highlighting some of the most scenic parts of the area. Though some trails are steep, a variety of loops make it easy to customize the route.

Description

Forming the headwaters of the Roanoke River, Bottom Creek Gorge boasts spectacular scenery including the second highest waterfall in Virginia, virgin hemlocks, and hundreds of wildflowers.

Bottom Creek is a powerful mountain stream that forms a stair-step series of broad-basin waterfalls known as the "kettles." One of the headwater streams of the South Fork of the Roanoke River, Bottom Creek boasts a 200-foot high waterfall.

The trails are well-marked and color coded (blue, yellow, and red denoting the Duval Trail, the Johnston Trail, and the Knight Trail). This loops takes hikers on a great tour of the area.

Flora & Fauna

Flanking Bottom Creek are forests of mixed hardwoods (tulip poplar, maple, oak, hickory) and upland meadows. Five rare species thrive in this habitat.

Contacts

Shared By:

Roanoke Outside

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 6 votes

#3783

Overall
  4.0 from 6 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#110

in Virginia

#3,783

Overall
23 Views Last Month
3,725 Since Apr 19, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
75%
0%
25%
0%

Photos

Bottom Creek can be seen and heard babbling past the trail.
Apr 13, 2017 near Shawsville, VA
There's plenty to check out in Bottoms Creek Gorge!
Apr 13, 2017 near Shawsville, VA
While most of the area is wooded, there are a few open meadows to enjoy.
Apr 13, 2017 near Shawsville, VA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 8, 2021
Shawn B.
Dec 27, 2020
Gardner Allen
With Rick
Nov 17, 2020
Mike Russell
Great hike with an incredible view at the end. — 3h 00m
Aug 6, 2017
John Searing
Jul 20, 2017
Mary D
Red trail steep. Blue perfect. Try yellow next time. Kayla & Bryson. 3.8mi
Jun 3, 2017
Phil McElmurray
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.