Photo Gallery: Your Favorite Hikes

What are some of your colleagues' favorite hikes?

Pete Larkin, Communications, Marketing and Planning: "My two recent favorite hikes are Mill Creek Nature Park, adjoining Narrows and the Jefferson National Forest, and Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve, a Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation property in Willis. Mill Creek Nature Park's strenuous hike offers numerous waterfalls, and Buffalo Mountain's relatively moderate hike brings you to the 360-degree views atop the summit, a Roanoke Outside bucket list destination.

Karen Beavers, Emergency Department at CTCH: "McAfee's Knob, Dragon's Tooth and Tinker Cliffs (the triple Crown). I enjoyed the views, the challenge and the reward of completion. A must do hike."

Karen Mulkey, Infection Control at CTCH: "Tinker Cliffs—which is on the Appalachian Trail and close to Roanoke—is one of my favorite hikes. What I like about this trail is the terrain constantly changes during the hike, from a meadow to a wooded area, to a trail surrounded by pine trees. But best of all is the view once you reach the top of the cliffs. This view is the same as that from McAfee Knob, the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail."

Alva Black, Med/Surg at CRBH: "I love hiking Cascade Falls! It is a great hike for beginners, or if you are looking for an easier hike, and the falls are really beautiful!"

Jim Van Cleaf, Carilion Design: "This is Dragon's Tooth hike. I have hiked this one many times and it remains one of my favorites because of the amazing views at the top as well as the rock scrambles needed to get to the top. It was really hard to choose a favorite for me since hiking is my main source of exercise and I try to hike as often as possible. I hiked over 90 hikes in 2024 for over 300 miles! Other favorites include McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and Sharp Top at Peaks of Otter."

Amanda Roberston, CFMH: "Sharp Top is my favorite local hike. It's a rewarding adventure with stunning views and a bit of a workout to get there!"

Jon Dubyk, Specialty Pharmacy: "While I love hiking the AT and other local spots, I had the privilege of returning to Wyoming this past summer with friends and my twin sons for a memorable backpacking trip. This was an unforgettable experience and one that I hope to repeat with my younger children once they are big enough to can carry their own gear!"

Taylor Medley, Guest Services: "Tinker Cliffs has one of the most spectacular views of the Catawba Valley...yes, in my opinion, even better than the famous McAfee Knob! However, you have to work for it. Making it to the view requires a total elevation gain of around 2,000 feet, but it is worth every step. If you're especially adventurous, you can earn the Virginia Triple Crown badge of honor by completing Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs in one trip. My husband and I did this in 2022 and camped overnight on the AT - it remains one of our favorite outings!"

Margaret Perry, Education and Organizational Development: "The Andy Layne Trail. It goes up to Tinker Cliffs and meets the AT. I love it because the first 2 miles are flat, meandering through cow fields and crossing a beautiful stream. Sometimes that is all I have the energy for, and I will make that a nice hike in and of itself. The next 2 miles are a strenuous switchback and steep hills to Scorched Gap and then up to the fantastic views of Tinker Cliffs. Very rewarding."

Lisa Uherick, MD, Emergency Medicine: "I love so many that I can’t possibly commit to just one. Bottom creek gorge and roaring run are great intro hikes that can be done with people of different levels of in shape and I love them both. The sunsets of sharp top can’t be beat. If I don’t have a lot of time to travel, I choose poor mountain, star hill trail, or the shirt hike behind north cross school."

Merris Stambaugh, Family and Community Medicine – Martinsville: "The hike to Mount Le Conte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a favorite because I remember doing it with my dad and my brothers many times as a child and teenager and now have gotten to do it with my own family." 

Carmen Salmon, Structural Cardiology: "Our favorite hike is Read Mountain Preserve in Botetourt, nestled in a neighborhood and easily overlooked for more glamorous hikes. We love it because it’s the perfect distance (4 miles) for a solid hike but not too long that your legs are toast at the end. We often picnic at the top or bottom. The trail is mostly wooded, well marked, and if you follow the blue trail it takes 2 miles up the mountain to Buzzards Rock. It’s all uphill to the overlook, but not too steep. There is plenty of space at the bottom for parking. We did the hike over spring break and took our time. We cleared leaves out of the creek and paused for nature ball (hitting small dropped pinecones with sticks). This hike reminded me that doing the same hike over and over is not boring because nature is always changing! However, if you’re up for day trip kind of hike we also love Buffalo Mountain Trail in Floyd for the spectacular 360-degree views at the top."

Suzy White, Carilion Women's: "My favorite hike is always a sunrise hike on McAfee's Knob. No matter the time of year, it always offers stunning views of the valley and creates life long memories with friends and family. We meet people from all over the WORLD who come to check out what we have right here in our community, and I think thats pretty amazing."

Shari Whicker, Continuing Professional Development: "Nothing beats the McAfee Knob sunrise hike. Truly a spiritual experience!"

Jennifer Stewart, Imaging – CGCH: "Sand Cave and White Rocks—it's worth the trip! A football size sand cave on top of the mountain will take your breath away. You can do the cave plus the beautiful overlook of white rocks in a 9 - 10-mile round-trip hike. The trail begins at the Thomas Walker Civic Park in Ewing, Va. We made a weekend out of it and visited the cute Pine Mountain State Park in Pineville Kentucky, which is about 40 minutes away. Some short hikes there as well, including the unique Chained Rock hike."

Naomi Stone, Rheumatology: "This was a solo hike I did at Hanging Rock State Park in North Carolina on New Year's Day. It was incredibly nice outside and a great way to start my year"

Janice Powell, Orthopaedics: "Hayrock/Tinker Ridge hike is my favorite. You can see Carvins Cove down below and there are some huge rocks that you can scale up on. The trail itself is invigorating. Beautiful scenery."

Michele Flippo, Carilion Direct: "Always a favorite hike is Cascades Falls in Giles County. The view of the falls is incredible any time of year! Crabtree Falls in Nelson County is another favorite. Hike the trail after lots of rain! Both trails are easy to navigate with some moderate difficulty."

Lisa Cone, Education and Organizational Development: "My favorite is backpacking the AT around McAfee's Knob with my daughter. I know it is commonly traveled, but the view is breathtaking, and the people we meet while camping are always interesting!"

Tony Ciafardini, Psychiatry/Connect: "Mount Rogers is my favorite hike. It’s the highest point in Virginia. The different landscapes along this 12-mile hike are breathtaking. You can have lunch on a large rock while gazing at the mountains. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see wild ponies. It’s maybe a long hike but there isn’t one moment that is not captivating."