Hike the Great Channels

Mary C Graham

Hike the Great Channels

05/24/22

This hike is great! It is a bit long, but there are a few trailheads that you can start from. The top is amazing. There is a fire tower at the top of the hike. The stairs are removed from the first few levels. After you pass the fire tower, there is small trail leading to the rocks. There is a maze of boulders that you can walk through and explore. You can also enjoy the view from the top of the rocks. There is a small fence to stop hikers from climbing out on the rocks, but you can still enjoy the view. Be careful when exploring the maze, if you follow the rocks at the edge of the woods, you can easily loose the maze. Overall, this hike is awesome!

5.0

Betheny Keller

Hike the Great Channels

09/27/20

The parking area off Rt. 80 and the trail are well maintained. The hike is not overly difficult, and my 5 year old sister was able to walk the entire way. The top has so much to explore from the rocks to the view. I would recommend this hike to anyone. This is one of the few trails I don’t get tired of and am always down to hike again.

5.0

Brandi Kessler

Hike the Great Channels

07/06/20

The trail is well kept and maintained. I was a little disappointed. The channels were nice, but not exactly what I expected.

3.0

Casey Edmonds

Hike the Great Channels

04/15/18

This hike was everything we expected. We spent over an hour at the top exploring the channels, a must if your ever in the area!

5.0

PRO

Nick Palastro

PRO

Hike the Great Channels

05/30/17

If you are in SW VA, I think this is a must-do. Hike gets steep at times but it is straight forward walking. The trail is wide and footing is easy. After a week of rain, it was muddy however. After 3 miles the trail opens up to the rocky top with the destroyed shelter and old old fire tower. Behind the fire tower is a small trail that leads into the channels. The light makes the moss granite almost glow as you check out the labyrinth of mini slot canyons. Head back out and up one of the boulders on your way out for the views from the top. Just be careful not to fall back into the crevasses!

5.0

Hunter Blair

Hike the Great Channels

10/24/16

Simple hike, great view, amazing formations

5.0

Lauren Rhea

Hike the Great Channels

08/21/16

I had forgotten how far it seems to be to the top. It took my friend an I about an hour and a half to make it. It saddens me that the fire tower is inaccessible but the view is absolutely incredible from the top of the rocks. Use caution when actually exploring within the rocks though it is quite easy to get disoriented.

4.0