Trail Info

Part of the Virginia Triple Crown
TRAIL DISTANCE: 8.1 Miles
TRAIL HEAD/ DIRECTIONS: OFF CATAWBA ROAD, LOOK FOR ANDY LAYNE TRAIL PARKING LOT ON YOUR RIGHT.
TRAIL TYPE: Circuit
TRAIL GRADE:   STRENUOUS (4)
TRAIL PARKING: 15 spots, unpaved.
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes
FAMILY FRIENDLY: No

You will love: Get ready for a rollercoaster across creek crossings, through hardy forest, among wild flowers leading to a  boulder-rific summit.
You need to know: No fee required, parking is limited.

What to Pack

• 2 Water bottle trail
• Backpack
• Trail bars, snacks, sandwiches. 
• HIKING SHOES
• Bring a walking stick

Extras

Southern Virginia Trail Finder

Virginia Triple Crown

The Experience

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How can you sum up the Tinker Cliffs? Well how about you will find walking sticks a plenty left for you at the trailhead. Just a precursor for what’s to come.  If you stuffed the entire Appalachian Trail into 8 miles then Tinker is it. It has wobbly bridges, creek crossings, wildflowers and two lung burning ascents. Why is it a rollercoaster? It’s because the ups are steep and the downs are twisty and curvy. The payoff are large granite slabs fractured from the mountain top to provide you a penthouse view of the valley.   If you are hungry for more, then check out Virginia’s Triple Crown. This is a series of three hikes totaling 32+ miles but all connected. The Tinker Cliffs is the start of this chain, then McAfee Knob and Dragons Tooth. Yes Virginia, we have mountains!