At milepost 123.2 is the Buck Mountain Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Buck Mountain Trail begins from the overlook as a paved path. The trail gently rises 300 feet over the 0.5 mile hike to the 1760 foot summit. There once were views from the summit, however now the views have become overgrown. It is still a pleasant Blue Ridge Parkway leg stretcher.
This is a nice forest hike, under oaks, maples and pines. In May, mountain laurel and azalea blossoms add a great floral touch. The trail is wide enough along most of its route for a family of three or four to walk side by side. It's never steep enough to be a major problem for young children and never more of a hazard than some ankle-knocking rocks, ruts and roots.
Benches near the halfway point and at the summit provide good places to rest, although the viewpoints that they overlook have become overgrown with saplings there isn't much of a view when leaves are on. Still, a few vistas across the Roanoke Valley can be gleaned through the trees (or by standing on the benches), including a couple of spots where distant McAfee Knob is framed by trees.
Buck Mountain Trail
The first hundred feet or so of the trail that shoots out of the Buck Mountain Overlook is paved. The pavement soon gives way to a root- and rock-studded dirt path that begins climbing immediately. It passes through blow downs, mostly pines, before reaching the first bench off to the left at roughly the halfway point.
The trail climbs some more, a little more steeply, though the mixed forest. At one point, the trail splits, but stay with the blue blazes to the left. It's up a little farther that the trail comes to its ending loop, circling through the underbrush at the summit.
Then it's a downhill glide as you retrace your steps back to the overlook and your vehicle. In two spots along the way, unauthorized trails veer off from the main route. These soon enter private land, sometimes posted. Please respect the owners' rights. There is a map of the hike below. This hike is featured in the hiking guide book Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway.
