Roanoke & the New River Valley · Daleville · Hiking · Out and back
Tinker Cliffs
Half a mile of open clifftop walking above the Catawba Valley, quieter than its famous neighbor.
- Distance
- 7.6mi
- Climb (listed)
- 2,000ft
- Time (agency)
- 4h–6h
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Terrain
- RockyShadedRidgeline
The route
Where it is
No route line is on file for this trail yet, so the map shows the trailhead only. Trailfinder publishes lines only when they can be assembled from OpenStreetMap and checked against the agency distance.
What it feels like
What it feels like
2,000 ft of listed climbing in 7.6 miles, about 263 ft per mile, which will set the pace. Rocky tread that slows every step, mostly under tree cover.
Before you drive
What to know first
Closures and conditions change. Check the agency's alerts page before leaving.
- Parking
- Andy Layne Trail parking on Route 779.
- Fees
- Not on file
- Permits
- Not on file
- Hours
- Not on file
- Restrooms
- Not on file
- Water
- Seasonal springs only; carry your own.
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Cell service
- Not on file
- Emergency
- Not on file
How hard it will feel
Difficulty, explained
Hard
Sustained climbing from the valley floor with rocky ridge walking at the top.
2,000 ft of climbing, about 263 ft per mile. 7.6 miles is a real half-day.
- Distance
- +2
- 7.6 miles is a real half-day.
- Climb
- +3
- 2,000 ft of climbing, about 263 ft per mile.
- Footing
- +2
- Rocky tread slows every step and needs attention on the descent.
- Technicality
- +0
- Nothing technical recorded; walking the whole way.
- Exposure
- +2
- Open to weather: the record warns of exposed sections.
Commitment
How long it takes
- Hiking
- 3h47–5h07
- 2.2 mph moving on rocky tread, no stops. 2,000 ft of climbing adds 60 min at a hiking pace.
- Running
- 1h47–2h24
- 4.5 mph moving on rocky tread, no stops. 2,000 ft of climbing adds 60 min at a hiking pace.
Terrain
Underfoot
- Surface
- Rocky, Dirt
- Technicality
- Rocky tread; no scrambling recorded
- Crossings
- None recorded
- Exposure
- Not on file
Recorded hazards
- Unprotected cliff edge
- Lightning
- Steep climbing in heat
What you'll see
On the record
- Half a mile of open cliff
- Views toward McAfee Knob
- Fewer crowds
Setting on file: Mountain, Ridgeline, Forest.
When to go
Seasonal character
Roanoke & the New River ValleyRidge hikes are exposed to wind and lightning. Summer weekends fill Triple Crown parking before sunrise; winter offers the clearest long views.
General seasonal character, not a live condition report. Check the agency's alerts page for closures.
Who it fits
Is this for you?
- Runners
- Yes, running is supported
- Families
- Not recommended for young children
- Strollers
- Not stroller friendly
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Accessibility
- No notes on file
- Experience
- Experienced hikers; fitness and footing matter
The long version
About this route
Tinker Cliffs delivers a long stretch of open cliff edge with views back toward McAfee Knob. The usual approach is the Andy Layne Trail, which climbs steeply out of the valley before joining the Appalachian Trail.
It sees a fraction of McAfee's traffic and is the strongest choice of the Triple Crown for anyone who wants a big view without the crowds.
If not this one
Related, and why
Roanoke & the New River Valley
McAfee Knob
- Distance
- 8mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,415ft
- Time (agency)
- ~5h
- Rocky
- Shaded
- Ridgeline
Similar commitment · 8 mi, about the same day out.
Roanoke & the New River Valley
Dragon's Tooth
- Distance
- 4.5mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,336ft
- Time (agency)
- ~4h
- Scramble
- Shaded
- Ridgeline
Shorter version · 4.5 mi if time is short.
Appalachian Trail Corridor
Appalachian Trail — Virginia Sections
- Distance
- 557.5mi
- Elevation gain
- Gain not on file
- Hiking time (estimate)
- Your call
- Rocky
- Ridgeline
Nearby · 29 mi from this trailhead.
Shenandoah Valley
Chessie Nature Trail
- Distance
- 7mi
- Elevation gain
- 48ft
- Hiking time (estimate)
- ~2h43
- Crushed stone
- Riverside
Nearby · 40 mi from this trailhead.
Before you drive
What to know first
Closures and conditions change. Check the agency's alerts page before leaving.
- Parking
- Andy Layne Trail parking on Route 779.
- Fees
- Not on file
- Permits
- Not on file
- Hours
- Not on file
- Restrooms
- Not on file
- Water
- Seasonal springs only; carry your own.
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Cell service
- Not on file
- Emergency
- Not on file
Provenance
- Facts:
- verified against the managing agency · last checked August 29, 2026.
- Readings:
- anything marked Trailfinder reading is derived by Trailfinder from those sources, not published by the agency.
Before you go: Trail conditions, access rules, weather, water availability, and closures can change. Check the linked official source before leaving and choose a route appropriate for your experience and current conditions.