In Virginia’s Blue Ridge, you’re never far from your next great adventure.
Pete Eshelman is the director of Roanoke Outside, an economic development initiative of the Roanoke Regional Partnership that uses outdoor recreation to attract businesses, talent and visitors. He’s happiest on the water, in the woods or anywhere he can trade stories with fellow adventurers.
Learn more about Roanoke Outside and how to create your own regional adventures on their website.
In Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the outdoors isn’t something you plan around — it’s part of everyday life. Here, three mountain ranges converge, rivers carve through valleys and lakes hide in the folds of forested hills. Whether you’re a lifelong local or you just unpacked your first moving box, you’re never far from your next great adventure.
I’ve spent years exploring these ridges, rivers and trails, sometimes for work, often for fun, and I’ve learned that the best spots aren’t always the most famous. This is my personal guide to the places that keep me coming back each spring and summer, from cliff-top views to quiet coves. Pack your gear, block a Saturday and let’s get outside.
Views Worth the Climb
Located along the famed Appalachian Trail, the Dragon’s Tooth hike is a must-do…