This fall, we encourage you to accept the #7Peaks7Weeks challenge and climb seven peaks in just seven weeks! Roanoke 7 Summits is an annual hiking tradition is presented by Roanoke Parks and Recreation. Join us for all seven, or simply come along for your favorite hikes. Guided hikes take place on Thursdays and Saturdays. You’ll get a chance to explore local trails, experience Roanoke’s stunning fall foliage, and make new friends while challenging yourself!
Throughout the challenge, you’ll be invited to free educational workshops. Plus, each week you will receive an email with more information about the upcoming hike and how to prepare. At the end of the seven weeks, we’ll meet for the Roanoke 7 Summits celebration at Roanoke GO Fest 2017 in mid-October.
Registration:
Registration includes a t-shirt. If you’d like to join a guided hike, please register for each hike individually in advance. Guided hikes cost $6 and include your transportation. Some participants complete the seven peaks on their own time throughout the challenge. If you have any questions, please contact the program supervisor, Matt Allenbaugh at matthew.allenbaugh@roanokeva.gov or 540-853-1236.
Located in Roanoke County this park boasts 
Stone stairs, scenic vistas, fire ecology and outstanding looks at Table Mountain pine woodlands make the Poor Mountain Trail a great recreational resource in the Roanoke area. Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve protects the world’s largest population of the globally rare shrub piratebush, which is restricted to only a handful of sites in the mountains of Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
While this peak is not the tallest of the three peaks at Peaks of Otter along the Blue Ridge Parkway, it offers the best view by far. After hiking 1,500′ of elevation over 1.5 miles, hikers will be rewarded with a 360 degree view of the other peaks, the Ridge and Valley to the west, and the Piedmont to the east. While it falls a few feet short of the tallest peak, Flat Top at 4,002′, the views are not comparable. Be sure to stop on the way up or back at Buzzard’s Roost for some additional vistas!
Dragon’s Tooth s a unique geologic feature that consists of Tuscarora quartzite spires which outcrop on the top of Cove Mountain. The tallest “tooth” projects roughly 35 feet above the surrounding rock. The trail to Dragon’s Tooth ascends steep, rugged outcrops of quartzite which form the spine of Cove Mountain and North Mountain. The spine is known as Dragon’s Back. A difficult hike, Dragon’s Tooth summit offers magnificent views of nearby and distant peaks year-round.
Outstanding views, a tough climb, a cool creek cliff face and Scorched Earth Gap are just a few reasons to hike Tinker Cliffs via the Andy Layne Trail. Tinker Cliffs is the third leg in the Triple Crown of great views/hikes in this part of Virginia, along with McAfee Knob and Dragons Tooth.
The poster trail for the AT. In almost every book or pamphlet containing pictures of the scenic beauty on the AT you are sure to come across a picture of McAfee Knob. This just may be the most beautiful spot in Virgina. 
