ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine has released their list of adventure towns along the Blue Ridge and the City of Roanoke has been named as the top large town in their top adventure towns contest for 2023.
The magazine bases winners off combining world-class outdoor recreation, stunning scenery, and thriving local businesses, making the locations listed some of the best places to live, visit, and play in the region.
Roanoke has been ‘A Top Adventure Town’ champ for three of the last five years, according to the magazine. For the Star City, the magazine highlights the vast network of hiking trails, which recently surpassed over 100 miles around the city. Since it is so close to the city, the accessibility for all makes these trails such a staple for visitors.
Top outdoor locations for hiking and sightseeing include McAfee Knob and Mill Mountain, as well as Carvins Cave for boating and fishing.
“Roanoke is one of those places where you can get a true introduction to the mountains, and see what being in nature really looks like,” said Xavier Duckett, who grew up in town and now serves on the Roanoke Outside Advisory Board.
Blue Ridge Outdoors also highlighted the up-and-coming Wasena neighborhood on the lower westside of the city for the neighborhood’s combination of cultural scene and outdoors activities. This includes the neighborhoods River Rock Climbing Gym and gear and consignment shop ‘Roanoke Mountain Adventures.’ According to the magazine, the city is also planning for an in-river park near the neighborhood, adding unique accessibility to the area’s top notch paddling opportunities.
To see the full list of top cities across the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/go-outside/top-adventure-towns-2023/.
