Waterrock Knob — Local services in Wolftown Community

The parking is very ample at the visitor center, and there are about four family “bathrooms” (literally a solid structure, with a toilet inside over a chemical tank, like a portajohn), which had hand sanitizer. The hike (about 0.5 miles from visitor center to peak) is not easy, but not difficult. The most challenging aspect is the climb. Over the course of 0.5 miles from the beginning of the trail to the peak of Waterrock Knob (~550’, going from about 5800’ to 6350’). The trail starts off paved, and eventually, (after the viewing area about 0.2 miles up the trail) becomes a maintained, but not quite paved trail (there are log segments, stones, and some drainage emplaced to help make the trail more traversable). In the winter, portions of the trail can freeze, making it a bit more challenging. The view from the top is nice, and it has some areas where you can take great pictures of the surrounding mountains and valley. There is a trail, right before reaching to the top that apparently leads to the airplane crash site (there is a blue marking on a rock prior to the last turn just before the top, and there are yellow marks along the trees going down that trail), but, getting there near sunset, I was unwilling to risk traipsing through unknown woods unprepared for more than a cursory...

This was our last and most anticipated stop on the blue ridge parkway and it did not disappoint. We heard about the airplane wreckage and thought it would be a cool experience. The walk up to the summit is definitely steep, especially after a full day of hiking, but it isn't super long. As long as you take your time, it shouldn't be too hard.

The views were beautiful and to get to the plane, you take the trail on the left path right before the summit. We found some hikers on the way who got a little lost finding the plane, so it can be a little confusing to find at first. The path has both yellow and blue markers, but there were also white tacks that were more consistent throughout the path. Just as other reviews mention, you follow this path carefully until you get to a clearing at the top where you will see a rock with a blue arrow pointing left on it. From there, you go downhill to the plane! This path is a little tricky and steep at some points, so make sure you prepare with water, good hiking shoes, and patience.

Overall, this trail is worth a stop and we saw quite a few people waiting to watch the sunset as we left. Unfortunately we had to get back on the road, but it seems like a perfect...

Moderate hike to top of the mountain which has amazing views. 0.5 miles to the top which has good elevation. About 40% of trail is paved. Rest is dirt and rocks but well maintained. Our 9 year old had no difficulty climbing this. At the summit you have enough space to spread out and relax. There is another trail that starts very near to the top. This trail is marked in yellow and blue colors on trees or rocks. This goes to the crashed plane. It’s a decent hike which needs some level of skills to navigate around tree roots, rocks and thru mud. Our 9 year old was able to do it but complained that it was too long. It goes up and down. Elevation is not an issue but trail is very raw. We had to walk thru slippery rocks and mud. We noticed few people slipping. Sometime it feels that there are multiple trails but all of them go to same place. People have created different paths to avoid some difficult sections. We saw a beautiful garter snake in our path. If you go there please please don’t carve your name or anything else on plane. Let the plane become part of the nature. It took us about 35-45 mins each way. Adults should be able to do this within 30...