Support the Greenways during Roanoke Gives. A nice, accessible, if suburban, section of the Appalachian Trail. Once you hit the ridge, there are great views for the remaining two miles to Hay Rock, but the footing is tricky and is slower going than the ascent. Photo source: Western Virginia Water Authority. Legend has it, that long before the water of Carvins Cove flooded the farmland once known as Happy Valley, a strange and shadowy gilled creature roamed the bogs and waterways. Trail. Have walked this trail a couple times with my dog & we both love it! Copyright 2023 Roanoke Parks And Recreation, All rights reserved. Mountain biking is a strenuous activity and can require difficult climbing, challenging downhill, and on occasion hike-a-bike. Users need to control speed, watch for surface hazards, and be familiar with trail locations. 1,410' Up This gravel trail follows the shores of the crescent shaped cove and is a beautiful place for taking photos or hiking with little ones. Awesome hike! You may need to bring a 2nd set of lungs for the climb though! 35.0 km The large picnic shelter can be reserved for a daily rental fee. 7.7 km Singletracks Merch | It continues on up, down and around til it reaches Hinchee Trail on the far end. Happy Valley Trail is one of the arterial routes through the Cove, going from the Boat Landing to the end of Carvins Cove Road, which is a mile from Bennett Springs parking lot. Box 8553 | Roanoke, VA 24014 Your dog is welcome in the park, but they must remained leashed at all times. Users wanting a long but easy ride could go out to Riley's Loop and back. Rattlin Runis a climbing, contour trail that connects the Bennett Springs Loop to Songbird. We love me it. A longer, but easy out and back is to take Happy Valley to Rileys Loop, on the waters edge, and return utilizing portions of Enchanted Forest. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Carvins Cove Road to Happy Valley (#1) Carvins Cove Road provides a one mile, paved route to Happy Valley Trail. Still a beautiful trail every time I hike it. Trail was in excellent condition today, great hike. 390.69 m Up Starting at the Hinchee Trail/Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail parking area, climb up the 2.1 mile Hinchee Trail through Hinchee Park before continuing onto the Brushy . Now, for reasons unknown, sightings of an unusual reptilian figure have been widely reported. Please do not park your car in the boat dock parking lot if you plan to stay in Carvins Cove after dark. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply. Although Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is a public recreational resource, it is also home to the regions primary water source. Get Directions. Roanoke Valley Greenways is a partnership among the five local governments, the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission, and non-profit Pathfinders for Greenways. Can hear highway noise basically the whole time but the natural beauty outshines it. Downsides are you can hear the noise from the interstate the whole hike. Description. After that it transitions into a fast singletrack with an occasional little jump or drop. Rules vary by jurisdiction. This route connects to the []. Are you tired of ridgeline hikes that have beautiful views of trees? Pulte Homes. This road is open to cars and all users should be very cautious of traffic. By the early 1980's the meager amount of fishing, boating and picnicking at Carvins Cove had pretty much disappeared and a small but growing community of local mountain bikers and equestrian trail riders had the Cove pretty much to themselves. Nice scenery along the way with mountain views, lake views, and plenty of wildlife. Travel along Route 311 to find the Bennett Springs Parking Lot. It is challenging with twists and turns and numerous rock slabs and ridges. Box 8553 | Roanoke, VA 24014 Carvins Cove Road provides a one mile, paved route to Happy Valley Trail. Carvin's Cove Trail system is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Roanoke, Virginia. Beautiful trail with easy & intermediate climbing. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. About the best trail at carvins.it flows very good and is well designed. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and horseback riding, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The amazing VIEWS and overlook points are along the ridge as youre heading to the rock, and they are STUNNING. That treatment facility has since been updated and expanded, increasing the capacity to 28 million gallons per day. Nice people. Lots of loose rock which is not my favorite for hiking. Spam? $255,000 Last Sold Price. Turned back due to darkness and poor preparation 1,344' Down You could hike all the way to Tinker Cliffs and great view if McAfees Knob. 8993.64 m Down. 3h 5m Moderate 4 (158) Hinchee Park Trail Once reaching the intersection with Happy Valley a mile and a half later, continue straight onto Little Bell Trail for mile before crossing Happy Valley once again to continue on the Enchanted Forest Trail. Very steep. The reservoirs water is treated and 10-million gallons of water is filtered each day for customers of the Western Virginia Water Authority, who manages the Coves boat dock and reservoir access. Hotel to Midway to Hi-Dee-Hoe is a nice loop, close to the parking lot. In 2009, the City of Roanoke donated a two-part conservation easement in Roanoke County and Botetourt County. SOLD FEB 17, 2023. The terrain is steep and difficult obstacles will be encountered. After Carvin passed, the region later became known as the Happy Valley community. DO NOT BIKE THESE TRAILS ALONEand be prepared to possibly encounter bears out here! This property is currently available for sale and was listed by Pulte on Apr 13, 2023. Terrain will be steeper and narrower. We didn't see anyone on the trail until we were on our way back down (we started at 7am on a Saturday). 215 Church Ave. SW, Room 303 IMBA Epics | No horses on Royalty. It crosses under a large powerline, crests the ridge, and then is a steady downhill to the Boat Landing []. Happy Valley is the fire road that connects all the lower trails in the Carvins Cove trail system. 5,812' Down Happy Valley; Hemlock Tunnel; Hi-Dee-Hoe; Hotel; Jacob's Drop; Kerncliff; Lakeside Trail; Little Bell; School House; . There is an alternate line near the top (OG) that is for mountain bikes only. Carvins Cove is a 12,700-acre natural preserve and the second largest municipal park in the country. The best place to access the trails is from the Bennet Springs parking lot on Carvins Cove Road.the pin on the map will take you right there. Though grades are manageable . Muddy when wet, beautiful views! 378.58 m Up Head to the Boat Dock Parking Lot if you want to access the water and trails on the Hollins side of Carvins Cove. Great variety of scenery, not overly challenging. Happy Valley from this end connects to numerous intermediate "lower" trails, as well as to Brushy Mountain Fire Road and the 1000' climb. It twists and winds through multiple drainages with only moderate elevation gains. Carvins Cove is located at 9644 Reservoir Rd., Roanoke VA 24019. The trail itself is extremely well maintained, and not nearly as rocky as most high-mountain hikes. Then it climbs steadily to reach Midway Cruise and Buck. Rode it all. 393.55 m Down, 4.9 mi Ft. 6723 Laban Rd, Roanoke, VA 24019. This mountain bike primary trail. Length 5.1 miElevation gain 131 ftRoute type Out & back. Swimming and camping are not permitted at Carvins Cove. Rattlin Run (#26) is a climbing, contour trail that connects the Bennett Springs Loop to Songbird. Roanoke Valley Greenways is a partnership among the five local governments, the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission, and non-profit Pathfinders for Greenways. SOLD MAR 20, 2023. A $2 parking pass is required andcan be purchased at any trailhead via self-pay system. Happy Valley Trail is one of the arterial routes through the Cove, going from the Boat Landing to the end of Carvins Cove Road, which is a mile from Bennett Springs parking lot. Didnt see anyone until heading back. As for the trails, Happy Valley Trail is apparently about 6.7 miles long, but we probably walked about 1.5 miles before turning around. Also learn about the history of what was Happy Valley and the legend of the ghost train. NOT OKAY! Roanoke, VA 24011. Happy Valley from this end connects to numerous intermediate lower trails, as well as to Brushy Mountain Fire Road and the 1000 climb. Light traffic in the morning and the trail was in good condition. Something else? Best MTB Gear | The daily fee has increased from $2/day up to $7/day. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Create Recommended Route or The trails generally follow obvious, well-marked trails and roads. Carvins Cove Natural Reserve Length: 6.8 mi Est. Hotel, close to the parking lot, is a causeway type trail, weaving around, over and through the creek. In 1746, a Welsh man named William Carvin received a land grant of 150 acres just outside of Roanoke. Those wanting more challenge could take intermediate options like Schoolhouse or Arrowhead. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Widgets, Explore Please consider this next time you comment on a trail. Enjoy this hike and the look off at the top but I dont like walking under the power lines. Make sure to bring water and your camera! Best Bike Trails | Happy Valley Trail. It starts just inside the gate where Carvins Cove Road hits Happy Valley (#1) and climbs steadily to reach an upper ridge. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is Tinker Mountain, McAfee Knob and Catawba Mountain. Definitely rocky along the ridgeline. 894' Down Office Shared By: Tim K Full Details Trail Ratings 5.0 from 3 votes Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 41 min to complete. This long hike will give you plenty of time to ponder and consider the world around you. 1,752' Down Once you arrive, you will have to pay for parking and use. Roanoke County | City of Roanoke | City of Salem | Town of Vinton | Botetourt County, Tinker Creek Greenway from Hollins University to Carvins Cove Boat Landing, Swimming and camping are not permitted in the Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, Dogs are welcome; however, they must remain leashed at all times and are not allowed in the water, Dog ownersmustpick up after their pet. The Roanoke Valley Loop explores a large area west of the City of Roanoke, with northern sites in southern Botetourt County and southern sites dropping southward towards Floyd County. Trails are open 6 am to 11 pm, but the boat landing area and Hollins trailhead are open only dawn to dusk. Starting on the back side of Hollins University campus, this intermediate trail starts with steady climbing, first through pines and then hardwoods. To clear up some common confusion, Hay Rock itself is *not* an overlookits just a huge boulder (albeit a very, very cool boulder). 1,316' Down Royalty is an advanced mountain bike trail, generally ridden downhill from Brushy Mountain. 1,291' Down Roanoke County | City of Roanoke | City of Salem | Town of Vinton | Botetourt County. It continues on up, down and around til it reaches Hinchee Trail on the far end. This trail is a wide singletrack suitable for many riders! Happy Valley is the fire road that connects all the lower trails in the Carvins Cove trail system. Brushy Mountain Fire Road (#2) is the second arterial road through the Cove. Trough (#14) is an intermediate, steady climb from Horsepen to Brushy Mountain Fire Road. Jacobs Drop (# 5), Hemlock Tunnel (#7), Gauntlet (#13), Hi-Dee-Hoe (#17), Royalty (#28), Trough (#14) and Buck (#15) are advanced trails that generally run downhill from the Brushy Mountain Fire Road. This is an easy, unpaved road, a major connector, intersecting many trails along the way. Have done this trail twice now and it is an absolute VA favorite!! 2065.99 m Down, 4.8 mi Tinker Creek Greenway (#32 on the Carvins Cove map) connects the Hollins Trailhead to the Boat Landing. 754.49 m Up A longer, but easy out and back is to take Happy Valley to Rileys Loop, on the waters edge, and return utilizing portions of Enchanted Forest. Baths. First Deck (#29) was built to provide an intermediate loop off of Horsepen, for those developing their skill levels. Holidays at the Historic Fishburn Mansion, Watch Bike Pro Jeff Lenosky Tackle Rattlin' Run Trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 4 min to complete. Try this 4.5-mile out-and-back trail near Roanoke, Virginia. From there, you'll cross over the Happy Valley trail on your way to Tuck-A-Way via the Enchanted Forest West connector. There are over 60 miles of trails at Carvins Cove. 6,778' Down Beginning at the Carvins Cove boat dock, make your way past the picnic shelters to the Happy Valley Trail/Fire Road. (9644 Reservoir Road) and Hollins Trailhead (8375 Plantation Road). Carvins Cove is a 12,000 acre watershed, protecting a 630-acre reservoir, used for the regions drinking water. Park at the Park & Ride next to the Exxon station on US220. Dip your pedal into the sport of mountain biking and the beauty of Carvins Cove Natural Reserve on this 12.5 mile ride on beginner friendly trails. The trail has various optional rock features and ends with a fun downhill section with rock jumps (also optional). 2,472' Down It is easy, with connections to intermediate and advanced trails. This diverse assortment of sites offers nature enthusiasts a wide variety of habitats to explore. 49.14 m Down, 4.2 mi Nothing difficult here, just a 16 mile round trip from one end to the other. The trail ends connecting back to Happy Valley. Rating a trail poorly solely because it was difficult does not imply it is a bad trail to ride. Moderately steep. Feel free to share your experiences there or at any other natural wonders in Virginia. 3.4 km Want to add your business to the map? Nice views of Carvins cove. Those alone make the hike worthwhile. Carvins Cove Road provides a one mile, paved route to Happy Valley Trail. For more hidden natural gems, be sure to read about This Little-Known Oasis Hiding In Virginia. Terms | Privacy. Each parking lot is conveniently located within a 10-15 minute drive of downtown Roanoke. (#32 on the Carvins Cove map) connects the Hollins Trailhead to the Boat Landing. Mountain Biking Roanoke: Must Ride Trails in The Star City of The South, 10 Best US Mountain Bike Towns with the Lowest Cost of Living, Five2Ride: Mountain Bike Trails in Virginia, Trail Tuesday: Carvin's Cove, Roanoke, Virginia. These include Songbird (#9), Arrowhead (#10), Tuck-a-way (#20), Four Gorge Extension (#25), Comet (#3), Kerncliff (#6). It provides remoteness and occasional views of the reservoir. Technical terrain with no alternate lines. Horsepen Trail is an old road, generally running downhill to the reservoir. This is an easy, unpaved road, a major connector, intersecting many trails along the way. Happy Valley Trail (#1 on the Cove map) is one of the arterial routes through the Cove, going from the Boat Landing to the end of Carvins Cove Road, which is a mile from Bennett Springs parking lot. Very sweet technical rides, as well as family oriented rides. This road is open to cars and all users should be very cautious of traffic. A: A bike shop near the Bennett Springs parking lot called Just the Right Gear has trails maps available for a dollar. Nice scenery along the way with mountain views, lake views, and plenty of wildlife. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites. Visitors age 16 or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. 1,410' Up Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 41 min to complete. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Amenities include:Parking, Trail Conditions Signs, Bike Fix Station, Restrooms. Carvins Cove draws attention from all over the mountain biking community, and has so much to offer both the beginner and expert alike. Rode HiDeeHo, Gauntlet, Lakeside, Hemlock, Kerncliff, Tuckaway, and lower Comet where a deer visited us. Spam? Rte 648 is a main road. Grades are gentle and only minor obstacles will be encountered. At the bottom your hands might be stuck to your bars! The first section of the trail can be muddy, but there is evidence of ongoing trail maintenance to remedy this. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Happy Valley is the fire road that connects all the lower trails in the Carvins Cove trail system. Want to add your business to the map? It really has it all, Trails with flow, bike park trails, climbing efforts, traverses reasonably easy to navigate. Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is one of the main reasons why Roanoke, Virginia, has been deemed the Mountain Bike Capital of the East. These routes are appropriate for intermediate through advanced users. Roanoke Valley Greenways is a partnership among the five local governments, the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission, and non-profit Pathfinders for Greenways. Located just seven miles from the north side of Roanoke, Carvins Cove Natural Reserve contains more than 12,000 acres of both hardwood and mixed pine forests, a 630-acre reservoir, and 60 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. 272.94 m Up 2,451 Sq. Taking other people's content (text, photos, etc) without permission is a copyright violation and Much more traffic afternoon. Users new to Carvins Cove will want to study the map and get a general idea of the layout before heading out. 991.73 m Down, 8.8 mi Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 35 min to complete. But cool hike, had a little bit of everything which is always nice. 7.9 km This is an easy, unpaved road, a major connector, intersecting many trails along the way.