Atkins (VA 683) → Pearisburg (US 460)
Atkins to Pearisburg
85 mi · 6-8 days · Difficult
A long, comparatively remote stretch across Chestnut Knob, Burkes Garden's rim, and the ridges above the Walker Mountain country.
The view down into Burkes Garden — a bowl-shaped valley sometimes called God's Thumbprint — is the highlight. Water can be scarce along the ridge in late summer, so plan carries carefully.
Waypoints
| Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chestnut Knob Shelter | Shelter | Enclosed stone shelter on an open bald with a wide view over Burkes Garden.No reliable water at the shelter itself. Plan a carry. |
| Pearisburg, VA | Resupply | Town resupply with groceries, lodging, and a post office near the US 460 crossing.Verify hostel and shuttle availability before arriving. |
Highlights
- Chestnut Knob and the Burkes Garden overlook
- Long ridge walking
- Remote feel
Road crossings
- VA 42
- VA 606
- US 460 at Pearisburg
Resupply
- Bland — limited, off trail
- Pearisburg — full resupply and lodging
Nearby towns
- Bland
- Pearisburg
- Narrows
Planning details
- Elevation gain
- Not yet verified
- Parking and access
- VA 42 and VA 606 crossings have limited roadside parking; Pearisburg has town parking.
- Shuttles
- Shuttles operate from Pearisburg and Bland. Confirm current availability.
- Terrain
- Sustained ridge walking with rocky sections and several long climbs.
- Wildlife
- Black bears and timber rattlesnakes on rocky ridges.
- Seasons
- Water sources along the ridge can dry up in late summer and early fall.
- Regulations
- National forest dispersed camping rules apply; some areas restrict campfires seasonally.
- Emergency
- Pearisburg has medical services; ridge sections have poor coverage.