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This is a very tough trail with a rewarding view.


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Map Key

2.7

Miles

4.4

KM

Point to Point

2,589' 789 m

High

1,356' 413 m

Low

1,262' 385 m

Up

189' 58 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

Description

Directions to Trailhead:
The trailhead is almost exactly halfway between Catawba and Daleville on Virginia 779. Take Virginia 311 from I-81 at Salem, go 8 miles west to Catawba, turn right on 779 at Catawba, then travel 8.3 miles to the trailhead, located on the right just past a bridge and bend in the road. Or, go 1.5 miles on U.S. 220 North from I-81 near Hollins to Daleville and turn left 8.4 miles to the trailhead on the left. Virginia 779 is also marked as Catawba Road and Bicentennial Bike Route 76.

From the trailhead, take the yellow-blazed Andy Layne Trail for about 3.1 miles to the intersection with the Appalachian Trail. There are some tough, steep stretches as the trail climbs most of the way.

While the bluff-top views near the top of the trail are the most prominent feature, there are also nice creek drainages, intriguing rock formations, and lovely forests on the way up. Even the part of the trail that goes through a cow pasture includes pleasant rushing streams and scenic views up toward surrounding ridges.

Most hikers who hike the Andy Layne Trail continue on to the Tinker Cliffs Viewpoint a short ways up the A.T. In order to head to the cliffs, turn right onto the white-blazed AT (southbound) and reach Tinker Cliffs within 0.75 miles. Enjoy the 180-degree view!

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Roanoke Outside

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 7 votes

#461

Overall
  5.0 from 7 votes
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Trail Rankings

#10

in Virginia

#461

Overall
9 Views Last Month
2,642 Since Apr 21, 2017
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Photos

The stairway to heaven - it's a lot of steps!
Oct 3, 2017 near Daleville, VA

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Check-Ins

Feb 11, 2023
Justin Tripoli
Nov 28, 2020
Kurt Krushenski
The steps are tough but views on Tinkers Cliff are worth it
Oct 5, 2019
Anna Moore
7.2mi — 4h 00m
Feb 28, 2018
Hayden Carter
Sep 24, 2017
Mary Hiker
Great steep hike to Tinker Cliffs — 3h 30m
Sep 10, 2017
Stephen Bogner
Coming down after climbing to Tinker Cliffs on the AT and having climbed McAfees Knob earlier that morning, I was just glad we were going down and ... 2.7mi
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