Linville Gorge 22 mile loop

[Hawk-eye]

Its looking like I might just start with the RockJock trail, I was reading that it has some of the nicest views, but is relatively short at under 3 miles. Is the only way to hike the Rock Jock Trail to hike out and straight back? Or is there some kind of loop? As of now I'm only looking to do a day hike, so I would have from sunrise till sunset.

Rock Jock is about 4.25 miles from the southern trail head to the intersection with the Conley Cove trail. Spend a day on it and you can burn day light from morning to night ... there are a ton of side trails and views from the main trail. If you want to make a loop out of it you'd have to walk Kistler (dirt road) back to Conley. If you have a second car you can drop a car. I'd reccmd. hiking it south to north ... that way you won't have that lung burner hike up and out for the last half mile. But you could do it out and back ... just adjust your turn around point by your speed and how much you get distracted along the way. If you do that ... hike it north to south would be my advice.

[Shug]

Love the Rock Jock........not a loop. Put a car at one end or do it in and out.
Shug

[SoundWitness]

The Gorge is a beautiful and unforgiving oasis to backpack, that's for sure!! But it's an experience that"ll bring you back time after time after time.

Even with the sweat, the tears, the aches and pains, the rattlers and lightning strikes on the ridge line!

[Catavarie]

You certainly can't go wrong with any trip to the Gorge. Definitely check out all the great info at Linvillegorge.net .

So many great trails to hike, so many great things to see. You'll come to the end of your time there wishing you didn't have to leave. And don't forget to make time for pie at Louise's.

[Hawk-eye]

... Even with the sweat, the tears, the aches and pains, the rattlers and lightning strikes on the ridge line!

Ha! quite the ride wasn't it pal?

[icedfire477]

Ever finish the hike? Me and my friend gave it a shot during the 70 degree weekend this January. The Backpacker GPS points/directions certainly weren't perfect, but we only managed to get off trail once. I certainly wouldn't want to hike this loop solo the first time. Make sure to say "Hi" to Leadmine for me.