Hiking Trails in Roanoke

The Best Hiking Trails in Roanoke, VA

Welcome to The South Peak Condos, located in the heart of beautiful Roanoke, Virginia, just thirty minutes away from Smith Mountain Lake. Explore the best hiking trails and find an activity that inspires your soul. Roanoke, Virginia is full of things to do and places to explore that can help you discover a deep appreciation for nature.

A Wealth of Activities

Roanoke, Virginia, is home to arts and culture, restaurants, and shopping, but if it’s outdoor activities you like best, then look no further. No matter if you prefer water sports or something on dry land, we’ve got you covered. The Roanoke area is home to the world-famous Appalachian Trail, Smith Mountain Lake, and Blue Ridge Parkway.

There is something for everyone. All you have to do is look around and pick an activity that sounds like fun, then give it a try. No matter if you like hiking or climbing, we have parks and trails to suit you and your level of fitness. There are miles of trails and dozens of parks, too many to list here.

Smith Mountain Lake

Located just half an hour from Roanoke, Smith Mountain Lake covers more than twenty thousand acres and has more than five hundred miles of shoreline. If your thing is water sports, there are public boat ramps available to use, as well as private marinas. The lake is also a favorite of kayakers, jet-skiing and water-boarding among other water sports.

However, if dry land is more to your liking, you will find endless scenic hiking trails all along the shoreline of Smith Mountain Lake, as well as hills for rock-climbing. There are also five different golf courses located around the lake, as well as Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Blue Ridge Parkway

It’s called “America’s Favorite Drive,” and for good reason. It’s 469 miles long. It begins in the Smoky Mountain National Forest in North Carolina and goes all the way to Shanendoah National Park in Virginia. It is marked with mile posts, just like a highway. It passes through Roanoke, at mile marker 120.

The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the Appalacian Mountains, providing stunning scenery and expansive views. Here in Roanoke you can take advantage of hiking and biking trails, as well as hills to climb. You will, in short, never run out of places to discover.

Appalachian Trail

The world-famous Appalachian Trail is more than two thousand miles long, meandering all the way from Georgia to Maine. Five hundred miles of that go through Virginia, and 120 miles of it right in Roanoke itself.

With 120 miles of trails to choose from, you are sure to find one that suits your overall level of physical fitness as well as your experience in hiking. You can also bring a backpack and stop to admire the scenery from our shelters, which are three-sided structures that would allow you to temporarily camp without a tent.

Places to See

The Roanoke Valley area also boasts many parks for you to visit, including the Fairy Stone Park, home to its namesake Fairy Stones, outcroppings of rare minerals. Fairy Stone Park also has nine miles of trails, and if that’s not enough, a 168-acre lake.

All You Can Ask

No matter what your family or retirement situation, we can have you in a place of your own in no time. Just give us a call or visit our website.

dog-friendly restaurants in Roanoke

Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Roanoke, VA

Roanoke, Virginia, also known as the Star City, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is surrounded by green space and beautiful vistas. Dining in Roanoke offers endless possibilities to please every palate, from California-style Mexican Cuisine to classic American with an urban twist. Whether you’re wanting a casual breakfast or some late-night grub and cocktails with your pup, Roanoke offers many dog-friendly restaurants.

The Village Grill

If you’re looking for good ole classic American cuisine, The Village Grill serves up burgers, sandwiches, salads and entrees that have stood the test of time for over a decade. A staple in the historic Grandlin Village, this casual restaurant features a bocce ball court and outdoor stage that’s always booked for live music, no matter the weather. There are two patios with select dog-friendly seating areas.

Wasena City Tap Room

Open until 1am on the weekends, Wasena City Tap Room is a great place to take your dog if you’re ready to live it up a little. They offer 31 beers on tap and fun theme nights, including Monday Night Trivia. Located in the River House and right next door to a rock climbing gym, they use a brick oven and hard wood grill to give their food a signature flavor. Dogs are welcome on the patio

Alejandro’s Mexican Grill

Alejandro’s Mexican Grill – Hollins was established in 2007. Their menu is impressively large and features authentic West Coast-style Mexican food and California fusion, as well as award-winning margaritas. They have an extensive salsa bar, and the spacious patio at their Williamson Road location at Hollins provides plenty of room for you and your furry companion.

Famous Anthony’s

Famous Anthony’s boasts that their fame comes from serving generations of families since 1986. They have remained a family owned and operated business with a story “woven by their customers” and where you “visit once and you’re family.” Mr. Anthony himself may very well visit your table. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and allow dogs on their uncovered patio.

Scrambled

Scrambled is located in the Historic Market building and offers a fast, casual breakfast in a downtown setting. Open from 7am-2pm, they specialize in breakfast and brunch, including their Vanilla Flavored French Toast. They’ll gladly provide ice water for your canine companion on their large garden patio, where you can dine on one of their numerous Classic Scrambled Egg combos.

Whether you’re already a Roanoke resident or are relocating here with your canine companion, you’ll find dog-friendly hospitality in restaurants all around the area. Contact us to learn more about the luxury lifestyle community of South Peak, where you’ll be ideally located to fully experience all that Roanoke has to offer.

Things to do in Roanoke

The Top 5 Things to Do in Roanoke, VA

The Roanoke Valley in Virginia is a beautiful place full of opportunities for residents and visitors to experience first-rate arts, culture, dining, shopping, and outdoor activities. The area has so much to offer, that it can be had to decide what to do first. To make things easier, we’ve come up with a list of the top 5 things to do in Roanoke, VA.

1. Visit Mill Mountain Park & the Roanoke Star

Going to Mill Mountain Park and seeing the Roanoke Star is at the top of most people’s lists of things to do in Roanoke, VA. The park is on beautiful Mill Mountain and features beautifully landscaped areas, hiking & biking trails, and a zoo. And while you’re there you can’t miss the famous Roanoke Star landmark. This icon of the Blue Ridge Mountains is on top of Mill Mountain and stands almost 90 feet tall. At night it’s illuminated by 2,000 feet of neon tubing.

2. Hit the Water at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

One of the most popular activities to do in Roanoke, VA is head to Smith Mountain Lake State Park. It’s the biggest lake in the state with almost 500 miles of shoreline. Head there for a day (or more) on the water. Fishing, boating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, sailing, and jet skiing are all popular activities on Smith Moutain Lake. There are also beaches suitable for swimming. And the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the lake are beautiful. 

3. Visit the Taubman Museum of Art

The Taubman Museum of Art is a great place to visit for anyone who enjoys art. Your visual enjoyment starts with the museum building itself, which was designed by famed architect Randall Stout. The museum has a permanent collection of 2,000 pieces of artwork in 11 galleries. Plus, there are captivating visiting exhibits and special installations. You don’t have to be an art expert to enjoy this Roanoke attraction.

4. Enjoy Roanoke City Market

After you explore what the beautiful Valley has to offer in outdoor activities, head to the Roanoke City Market for shopping and dining. The locals call it the Farmers’ Market and it is open all year. There are boutiques as well as places to buy local produce and flowers.  Make sure to stop and see the four entrances, which are all covered in beautiful mosaics of porcelain tiles.

5. Explore Center in the Square

If you enjoy the Roanoke City Market, head over to the adjacent Center in the Square. This is one of the best things to do in Roanoke because it’s home to a number of arts, science, and cultural attractions, including:

  • Living Coral Reef Aquarium
  • Turtles of Virginia Fresh Water Aquarium
  • Butterfly Garden
  • Harrison Museum of African American Culture
  • History Museum of Western Virginia
  • Science Museum of Western Virginia
  • Mill Mountain Theatre
  • Roanoke Pinball Museum

Tour South Peak

At South Peak, Roanoke’s premier luxury home community, you’re always close to all the best Roanoke, VA activities. Enjoy all that the Roanoke Valley has to offer and come home to luxury. Schedule your tour today and come see for yourself the incredible homes and amenities we have to offer at South Peak.