Read Mountain Preserve Hike

The Read Mountain Preserve is a wonderful urban hiking destination located in the northern outskirts of Roanoke, VA. This county park boasts four trails across 243 acres that can be utilized to create a loop featuring the highlights of the preserve. From the parking area, the Buzzards Rock Trail provides access to the park as it follows a dry ravine before climbing around the east side of Read Mountain. This trail brings you to Buzzards Rock, the best viewpoint in the park with western views of the peaks surrounding the Roanoke Valley. From Buzzards Rock you can either return to your car, or make a loop using the CCC and Rocky Way Trails. Although views are sparse outside of Buzzards Rock and Devil’s Drop, the mountain is covered in deciduous trees and you should have wonderful winter views from the CCC Trail as it gently traverses the crest of Read Mountain.

Mile 0.0 – Park at the Read Mountain Preserve parking area. Paper maps are available at the trailhead kiosk. Begin the hike by following the Buzzards Rock Trail (blue blaze) parallel to a dry gorge.
Mile 0.4 – Switchback away from the dry gorge.
Mile 0.6 – T-junction with the Rocky Way Trail (yellow blaze) on the left.
Mile 0.8 – Y-junction with an unmarked manway on the right. The trail switchbacks sharply to the left.
Mile 1.0 – Y-junction with an unmarked manway on the right.
Mile 1.4 – Y-junction with the Crossover Trail (red blaze) on the left.
Mile 1.6 – Turn right on the Buzzards Rock Trail at a Y-junction with the CCC Trail.
Mile 1.8 – The Buzzards Rock Trail ends at Buzzards Rock. There are multiple rock outcrops along this stretch of trail with views west of the Roanoke Valley. The large rounded peak due west is Fort Lewis Mountain and the prominent pyramidal peak towards the northwest is McAfee Knob.
Mile 1.9 – Continue on the CCC Trail (orange blaze) for the loop hike described here. The CCC Trail follows the ridgeline of Read Mountain with little elevation change. There may be good winter views on this trail as the forests are dominated by deciduous trees.
Mile 2.3 – Boulder Point on the left side of the trail. This collection of boulders offers no view.
Mile 2.8 – After a steep descent, take a sharp left onto the Rocky Way Trail (yellow blaze) at a Y-junction with an access road.
Mile 2.85 – Continue left on the Rocky Way Trail at a Y-junction with an access road. The Rocky Way Trail passes through steep rockslide areas and hardwood forests.
Mile 4.0 – T-junction with the Crossover Trail on the left. On the right immediately before the trail junction is Devil’s Drop, a steep rock face with views southeast of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the eastern Roanoke region.
Mile 4.2 – Rocky Way Trail ends at a Y-junction with the Buzzards Rock Trail. Turn right to return to the parking area.
Mile 4.6 – Hike ends at the Read Mountain Preserve parking area.

By HikingUpward Contributor: Zach Robbins

Know Before You Go

The Read Mountain Preserve in Roanoke, VA, offers a 4.7-mile loop hike featuring the Buzzards Rock Trail, CCC Trail, and Rocky Way Trail.
Buzzards Rock provides the best views overlooking the Roanoke Valley, with potential winter views available from the CCC Trail.
The loop includes varied terrain such as dry ravines, rockslide areas, and hardwood forests, with optional viewpoints like Devil's Drop.