Daleville (US 220) → Buena Vista (US 60)
Daleville to Buena Vista
80 mi · 5-7 days · Difficult
North of Daleville the trail parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway, crosses the James River on the long James River Foot Bridge, and climbs to the exposed rock of Apple Orchard Mountain and the Guillotine.
Bluff Mountain, Punchbowl, and the descent to the James make this a varied and often quiet section between two easy resupply points.
Waypoints
| Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| James River Foot Bridge (US 501) | Road crossing | A long pedestrian bridge carrying the AT across the James River — the lowest point in this stretch.Trailhead parking on US 501. |
| Apple Orchard Mountain | View | High, exposed summit near the Blue Ridge Parkway with the Guillotine rock passage just below. |
Highlights
- James River Foot Bridge
- Apple Orchard Mountain
- The Guillotine rock passage
- Parkway overlooks
Road crossings
- US 220
- Blue Ridge Parkway crossings
- US 501 at the James River
- US 60 at Buena Vista
Resupply
- Glasgow — limited, off trail
- Buena Vista — full resupply
- Big Island — limited
Nearby towns
- Glasgow
- Buena Vista
- Lexington
- Bedford
Planning details
- Elevation gain
- Not yet verified
- Parking and access
- US 501 James River trailhead, several Parkway overlooks, US 60 crossing.
- Shuttles
- Buena Vista and Glasgow shuttle drivers serve this corridor; verify current contacts.
- Terrain
- Long climbs from the James River; mostly good tread with rocky high points.
- Wildlife
- Bears are active around the Parkway corridor shelters.
- Seasons
- The Parkway closes in ice, which affects access to some trailheads.
- Regulations
- Mixed national forest and Parkway jurisdiction; camping rules differ.
- Emergency
- Lexington and Bedford have hospitals.