Blacksburg, Virginia has a lot to offer visitors including beautiful ways to experience the great outdoors. Writer Leslie Long shares her varied experiences with Real Food Traveler readers, to give you a sense of what you can expect when you go.

Save this article about getting outdoors in Blacksburg, Virginia to Pinterest to keep it handy. Photo by Leslie Long. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Hungry for more? Read our Editor’s Picks for the Fun and Stories of Montgomery County, Virginia.

Ways to Get to Know Blacksburg, Virginia Outdoors

With a prime location for natural beauty, Blacksburg lies between the Blue Ridge and Allegany Mountains. The New River runs through the area, adding even more recreational options. In all four seasons, this rich agricultural area in the heart of Montgomery County, VA has so much to offer anyone lucky enough to visit. 

Whether you’re looking for a slow, gentle nature walk, a rollicking ride on a mountain bike or anything in between, Blacksburg has it all. And with an ongoing mission of creating a network of inter-connected trails, you can spend as little as an hour or as long as a day, enjoying the outdoors.

My friends and I began exploring with an early morning walk around Pandapas Pond, a dreamy spot inside Jefferson & George Washington National Forest. Although part of a larger system of trails, those looking for an easy but engaging stroll will find just what they’re looking for on this mile-long loop, passing through rich wetlands via boardwalks and bridges. 

Pandapas Pond provides beautiful views and an easy trail to walk when enjoying the outdoors.

Upon first arriving, we noticed a man staring into his binoculars with reverence, hoping to see an elusive duck another birdwatcher had sighted the day before. Not wanting to disturb him, we tiptoed past and began our walk around the eight-acre pond. Mist was rising off the water in the early light, giving it an ethereal feel as we quietly began our walk along trails carefully tended by local volunteers and the Poverty Creek Trails Coalition.  

Next, we were treated to some hiking with John Eustis, Director of New River Trust and Dean Crane, Director of Blacksburg Parks and Recreations. Each of these men have worked tirelessly to develop and create a series of trails that are joined together to maximize the ability to immerse oneself in nature. Their enthusiasm was infectious as they proudly showed us all they’ve accomplished.

We began at Brush Mountain Park, formerly a farm owned by a family named McDonald — and recently purchased by the New River Trust. This 758-acre forest has a trail system currently in development, but extensive enough for a satisfying and slightly challenging walk through wild rhododendrons, mountain laurels, towering trees and impressive vistas. Blacksburg has a vibrant community of volunteers who have worked to clear and maintain the trails here, helped by a $1.2 million dollar grant.

Brush Falls offers hikers and mountain bikers scenic options.

Next, we drove around the bend to Stone-Cutter’s Hollow, aptly named after an old gristmill business formerly on the site. This area had beautiful walking trails, as well, in addition to a challenging mountain bike course that looked thrilling for those qualified to embark upon it. Apparently, it’s a draw for bikers of all ages and has quite a following of aficionados who come here to hone their skills. I wished we’d seen some of these daredevils during our walk, but we could only imagine the excitement.

Hungry for more? Read Leslie’s article about the Blacksburg Wine Club.

Our active day ended at yet another trail leading us to Stiles Falls, culminating in a spectacular 40-foot waterfall. This was the most challenging of all our hikes. On our way up to the Falls, we crossed streams as we balanced on logs and rocks, trying our best to keep our shoes and boots from getting wet.

Stiles Falls provides a challenging hike with the reward of a waterfall.

The steep climb kept us alert as we ascended through autumn foliage, eventually arriving at the Falls. The sounds of rushing water, gorgeous reflections and late afternoon light made this a perfect way to end a perfect day.

To learn more about Blacksburg, Virginia, visit their website, here.

-Story and photos by Leslie Long