Bearwallow Gap Loop
10.5 miles, moderate terrain
12 miles from Roanoke, $100 carpool fee
This hike will begin at the Bearwallow Gap Horse Trail Parking and will follow the Glenwood
Horse Trail north to its junction with the Buchanan Trail. We will then follow the
Buchanan Trail to its junction with the AT. Heading south on the AT, we will hike to Bearwallow
Gap, cross VA-43 and hike the AT to the top of the mountain. We will then detour off trail
and head to a rock outcropping with great views north and west and then bushwhack down the
mountain to intersect with the Horse Trail once again. We will then follow the Horse Trail
north to where we parked.
This hike will start at the Bearwallow Gap, Glenwood Horse Trail Parking near Buchanan and
follow the horse trail south for about 6 miles. Along the way, you will have good views
of the valley below along with numerous old mining sites along the trail where iron ore was
mined in the late 1800's and early 1900's by the Pulaski Iron Company. We will then veer off
the Horse Trail onto the AT heading north for about 2.6 miles. About 1/2 mile prior to reaching
Bearwallow Gap, the hike will go off trail for about 1/2 mile to a rock outcropping offering
great views and then proceed in a bushwhack mode for about 1/4 mile to reach the Horse Trail
again to return to our original start point.
This loop hike will begin at the Bearwallow Gap Glenwood Horse Trail Parking off Pico Road
near Buchanan VA. It will follow the GHT for about 3/4 mile and then head up
Bearwallow Creek Hollow a short distance before turning off to head up Cleatus
Spring Hollow (no designated trail). We will follow this hollow to the
ridgeline of Cove Mountain where we will intersect the AT. We will hike the AT
south to Bearwallow Gap (Route 43), crossing the road and climbing up the
mountain via the AT. We then go off trail along this ridgeline to a rock
formation providing spectacular views to the north and west. There will be a
very steep descent down the western side of this mountain to a point where we
intersect the GHT again and follow it back to our starting point.
This hike will start at Bearwallow Gap on the AT and head
south for approximately 3 miles to Bobblet's Gap where we will descend on the
Glenwood Horse Trail to the west about 1 mile and turn north on the Horse Trail
for another 5 miles. The hike along the Horse Trail will pass mining sites with
views of the valley and mountains to the west. If conditions permit, we can
also take a side trip to the Pico Mines about 1/2 mile off the trail.