If you’re looking for a great spot to watch the sunset (or just take in amazing views) near Blacksburg, this is the trail for you!
The Bald Knob Trail in southwestern Virginia is a short (less than 1 mile out-and-back) but very steep (up to a 22% grade) single-track trail that leads to the highest peak in Giles County. It’s totally worth the effort for the incredible views!
If this sounds like a hike you’d enjoy, the guide below has everything you need to know. So, let’s start planning your next sunset adventure!
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Sunset Hike Near Blacksburg
What better place to take in sunset views near Blacksburg than at the highest peak in Giles County! At 4360 feet high, you can see for miles and miles at the top of Bald Knob.
And you have a few options to reach the knob. You can either take the half-mile, very steep trail to the top. Or walk up the less steep gravel road, which is about 3/4-mile long. Or you can do it as a loop!
Dirty Dancing
For those 80s children like me, take the time to explore the property of the Mountain Lake Lodge either before or after your hike. This is the resort that stood in for Kellerman’s in the movie Dirty Dancing!
You will recognize many of the buildings, and they have signs around the property indicating which scenes were filmed there. It was so fun to see (and everything looked smaller in person).
Prepare to Hike the Bald Knob Trail in Virginia
Parking For Bald Knob
We parked at the Mountain Lake Outfitters parking lot at the corner of VA-613 and VA-700.
There is a sign indicating that day hikers should park in this lot. When we visited, it was after hours, so the store was closed. That made it easy to find a parking spot. I’m not sure how busy it is during the day. But there are several parking spaces.
Amenities
The Mountain Lake Lodge is right around the corner from the trailhead. You can find bathrooms inside the main lodge and also at Kellerman’s Gift Shop.
Cellular Service
We had no issues with cell service at Bald Knob. There is a tower at the top of the mountain. I’m not sure if it’s a cell tower or not, but we were good.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on the trail to Bald Knob in Virginia.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Remember, as you visit this park, to respect nature. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.
As these destinations become increasingly popular, it is essential that we remain diligent in keeping our parks and lands clean and safe for all. You can learn more here.
Hike to Bald Knob in Virginia
| Trail Location: | The trailhead is at the gravel road on VA-700, across the street from the Mountain Outfitters |
| Trail Length: | 8/10 mile (out-and-back) or 1.2 mile loop |
| Trail Difficulty: | The trail is on the harder side of moderate because of the steep grade of the trail |
| Trail Type: | Out and back or Loop |
| Elevation Gain: | 450 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Trailhead
The trailhead for Bald Knob is located on VA-700, across the street from the Mountain Lake Outfitters parking lot.
You will see a steep gravel road with a sign indicating the start of the trail. This part of the gravel road has a steep incline and gives you a good indication of how the rest of the trail will be.
Connect to Bald Knob Trail
A short distance (about 1/10 mile) up the gravel road, you’ll see the trail marker for the Bald Knob Trail. Make a right onto that trail and follow it straight up the mountain (literally!).
Along the Trail
When you hear that this trail is steep, believe it! Sections of the trail feature grades over 20%. Even though it’s only a half-mile to the top, we had to stop several times to take a breather. It probably didn’t help that we did a 4-mile hike to Cascade Falls earlier that day.
We visited over the July 4th weekend and found that parts of the trail were pretty overgrown. So, make sure to wear plenty of bug spray and look for poison ivy.
At the top of the trail, there is a small rock scramble to get to the overlook.
At the Overlook
We stayed relatively close to the tower because it wasn’t crowded. And it also provided a great view of the sunset.
However, the trail also leads more southwest on the Knob. Many reviews recommend following it for even better views. We followed it for a bit, but the trail started to look a bit tight, and we weren’t interested in pushing through the brush.
We sat down on the rocks and took in the sunset. Even though it was a little hazy, we could still see pretty far. I’m sure the views are even more incredible midday.
Returning to the Parking Lot
Since we stayed until sunset, we opted to take the gravel road back down instead of tackling the steep trail. There is a sign at the top of the knob directing you to the road.
The road is not exciting, but it’s less steep than the trail. It’s a good alternative to the steep trail to get up to the knob. It’s about 3/4 mile versus the half mile of the trail.
Bald Knob Trail in Virginia Wrap-Up
For a short trail, the Bald Knob packs a serious punch. The steep grade provides a nice workout, and the view from the top is the reward for your efforts. It’s an excellent spot for a sunset hike near Blacksburg or when staying at the Mountain Lake Lodge.
A Nearby Trail
One of the best trails we’ve ever done as a family is not far from Bald Knob. The hike to Cascade Falls is absolutely incredible, and you need to see it in person. I think it’s one of the most beautiful trails in Virginia.
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