Located within the town of Blacksburg, the Gateway Trail is a 1.75 mile hike with an elevation gain of about 800 feet.  The trail is shared by hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, and it provides a sanctioned access to more than 30 miles of trails at Pandapas Pond in the Jefferson National Forest.  I consider the hike moderate, but it’s a difficult bike ride with the laborious climbs and tight switchbacks.

The trail does not lead to a scenic overlook except for what you can see through the foliage of the trees, but the ground scenery is usually spectacular.  The trail begins between two pastures that are lined with abundant wildflowers, and when the conditions are right, you’ll find a wide variety of mushrooms and mosses along the entire hike.

I took the following pictures when I hiked the Gateway one evening (and the following morning) in late August.  I took the last two shots on the same weekend when I hiked Rock Castle Gorge, a loop trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Cardinal Flower

Jewelweed

Rock Castle Gorge, Late August