Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a footpath of more than 2,150 miles with approximately a quarter lying in Virginia.  The closest access point the Appalachian Trail from Big Walker Lookout is Route 615 and U.S. 52.

Monster Rock

This short trail hike leaves Big Walker Lookout  parking lot and leads to a large rock outcrop. Monster Rock is an outstanding vista of the Stony Fork watershed which includes beautiful Bland and Wythe County farmscapes and historic Garden Mountain to the north. It is a nice side trip of the Big Bend National Picnic Area. Follow Rt. 52 north for 13 miles to the crest of Walker Mountain. Parking for Monster Rock is at the Big Walker Lookout Tower.

Seven Sisters Trail

The length of Seven Sisters Trail is 4.8 miles located on Little Walker Mountain in Wythe County. The trail terminates inside of Stony Fork Campground. Trail users must park outside the Campground (fee area) and access the trail from Stony Fork Nature Trail (located within the campground) or use the parking lot at the east end of the trail. Seven Sisters trail is known for its variety of terrain. Vegetation changes from the creek bottom with giant old growth white pines and Rhododendron to hardwood forest at the top of the ridge. Good views are plentiful during leaf off season. From Wytheville take Interstate 77 north for about 6 miles to Exit 47. Turn left onto Rt. 717 west. Go about 1.25 miles to the trailhead parking lot.

Big Bend

Big Bend Picnic Area is set amidst orchard grass and large boulders under a canopy of oaks. Overlooks provide excellent views of the ridge and valley terrain. On a clear day, Mount Rogers, Virginia's tallest peak, can be seen to the south. This area is particularly beautiful in mid-summer when the large number of Rhododendron found here are in bloom. Big Walker Mountain is located on the hawk migration route. Each fall and spring, Big Bend also provides visitors with a prime location for bird watching

Big Bend was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) Company #357, who were located nearby in the early 1940's. A fire tower was once located here.

We found some more information about the local trails that we have listed below.  Some duplicates the above but most is new information.

Crawfish and Channel Rock Trails

Trail Information 

• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Length: 10 miles 
• Elevation: 2500 to 3300 feet 
• Location: Brushy Mountain, Wythe County 
Setting: This trail starts in Crawfish Valley, crosses Bear Creek and climbs to the top of Brushy Mountain. It follows the ridgeline of Brushy Mountain along the Tennessee Valley along the Tennessee Valley Divide for about 4 miles until it descends through Channel Rock Hollow back into the Crawfish Valley and returns to the parking lot. Terrain varies from the creek bottom land to the dry ridges. There are excellent opportunities to see wildlife along the trail due to tis isolated location. The trail is blazed with orange diamond shape markers and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and horse back riders. 

Directions from I-81 Rural Retreat exit: Take Rt. 680 north for 2.5 miles to Rt. 625. Follow Rt. 625 for 4 miles to intersection with FS 227. Take FS 227 for 2 miles to gate and parking. Total travel distance: 9 miles 

Trail Information 

• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Length: 6.75 miles 
• Elevation: 2400 to 3100 feet 
• Location: Brushy Mountain, Bland County 
Setting: The High Water Trail and a section of the Appalachian Trail combine to form a loop. A half mile walk on Rt. 615 will return hikers to their starting point. The lower section of the trail follows the Appalachian Trail up the Little Wolf Creek drainage. this is a scenic section of trail which crosses the Creek many times (trail should not be taken during heavy periods of rain.) The upper section of the loop is a blue blazed section of the A.T. used during heavy rainy season. This section runs along the top of Brushy Mountain. 

Directions from I-77 in Bland: Take Rt. 52 west for 3.25 miles to Rt. 615. Take Rt. 615 north for 2.75 miles to parking lot on left (near road bridge). Take A.T. to west across Laurel Creek on log bridge. Total travel distance: 6 miles 

Trail Information 

• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Length: .75 mile 
• Elevation: 3500 to 3800 feet 
• Location: Walker Mountain, Bland/Wythe Counties 
Setting: This short trail hike leaves Walker Mountain Lookout parking lot and leads to a large rock outcrop. Monster Rock is an outstanding vista of the Stony Fork watershed which includes beautiful Bland County farmscapes and historic Garden Mountain to the north. It is a nice side trip of the Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway. The parking lot for Monster Rock is across from the entrance road to Big Bend Picnic Area. A drive down this road lends visitors equally beautiful views in the opposite direction from those seen at Monster Rock. 

Directions from Wytheville: Follow Rt. 52 north for 13 miles to the crest of Walker Mountain. Parking for Monster Rock is at the Walker Mountain Lookout Tower. Total travel distance: 13 miles 

Trail Information 

• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Length: 1.5 miles 
• Elevation: 2300 to 2500 feet 
• Location: Wythe County 
Setting: The Polecat Trail is marked with orange diamond shaped blazes. It is open to hikers and mountain bikers. No horses are permitted. This trail lies in the Peak Creek drainage basin and provides good hunter access to Walker Mountain. Polecat Trail ties into Tract Fork Trail on Little Walker Mountain. Parking for the trail is along FS 707. 

Directions from Wytheville: Take Rt. 603 for 4 miles. Turn onto Rt. 600 east follow 7 miles to FS 707. Take FS 707 east for 2.75 miles to trail hiker sign along south side of road. Trail is on north side of road. Total travel distance: 14 miles 

Trail Information 

• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Length: 4.8 miles 
• Elevation: 2500 to 3300 feet 
• Location: Little Walker Mountain, Wythe County 
Setting: Seven Sisters Trail terminates inside of Stony Fork Campground. Trail users must park outside the Campground (fee area) and access the trail from Stony Fork Nature Trail (located within the campground), or use the parking lot at the east end of trail. Car shuttle or road walking distance is 2.5 miles between termini. Seven Sisters trail is known for its variety of terrain. Vegetation changes from the creek bottom with giant old growth white pines and rhododendron to hardwood forest at the top of the ridge. Good views are plentiful during leaf off season. 

Directions from Wytheville: Take Interstate 77 north for about 6 miles to Exit 47. Turn left onto Rt. 717 west. Go about 1.25 miles to the trailhead parking lot. Trail pickup point is at Stony Fork Campground 2.5 miles west of the trailhead parking lot. Total travel distance: 7 miles 

Trail Information 
• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Length: 3 miles 
• Elevation: 2400 to 3100 feet 
• Location: Brushy Mountain, Bland County 
Setting: The Trail Boss Trail and a section of the Appalachian Trail combine to form a loop. A short road walk on Rt 615 will return hikers to their starting point. Vegetation on the trail varies. A portion of the trail includes a bridge crossing and a walk along a free flowing boulder strewn stream. The trail continues through the hardwood vegetation of Brushy Mountain's upper dry ridges. The A.T. section of the trail is blazed in white and the Trail Boss section is blazed in blue. 

Directions from I-77 in Bland: Take Rt. 52 west for 3.25 miles to Rt. 615. Take Rt. 615 north for 2.75 miles to parking lot on left (near road bridge). Trail is on the east side of Rt. 615 a short distance from parking lot. Total travel distance: 6 miles 

Trail Information 

• Difficulty: Easy 
• Length: 4 miles 
• Elevation: 2400 to 3000 feet 
• Location: Little Walker Mountain, Wythe/Pulaski Counties 
Setting: Tract Fork Trail is a nice wide trail along Tract Fork Creek. There are parking lots on both ends of the trail. One is on Little Walker Mountain and the other is on Tract Mountain. This trail is open to horse back riding, mountain bikers and hikers and provides good hunting access. Yellow diamond shaped markers blaze the trail. Polecat trail intersects Tract Fork approximately one mile from the eastern parking lot. 

Directions from Pulaski: Take Rt. 738 north for 4 miles to Rt. 641. Follow Rt. 641 for 2.5 miles to its end. Follow FS 692 for 1.5 miles until it too ends. This is the Tract Fork trail head. Total travel distance: 8 miles 

Directions from Wytheville: Take Rt. 603 from 4 miles to Rt. 600. Follow Rt. 600 east for 9 miles to the top of the mountain and the parking lot for the trail. Total travel distance: 13 miles 

Big Walker Lookout, 8711 Stony Fork Road, Wytheville, Virginia  24382    276-663-4016