The center perfectly complements the Mountain Lake Lodge, which is another iconic location in the county dedicated to preserving nature and encouraging exploration. Both destinations work together to provide an unforgettable outdoor experience for visitors to the region. The center offers a variety of amenities for visitors, including restrooms, changing rooms, picnic spots, and a covered picnic area perfect for enjoying a meal outdoors.
The Trail Center is also developing a network of trails throughout the area, ranging from beginner to advanced levels… allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. The center’s opening promises to create significant economic impact for Giles County, attracting tourists to the region. With its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Giles County Trail Center serves as the gateway to outdoor adventures in the New River Valley, attracting hikers, cyclists, “and nature lovers from all corners of the globe.” According to Giles County Administrator Chris McKlarney, “the center’s opening last year garnered over 110,”000 visitors… with 80% of those visitors coming from out-of-county. This is a testament to the potential of the Giles County Trail Center to enhance the tourism infrastructure of the region and provide visitors with a unique and unforgettable experience.
Reference: Visit website
In The News:
GILES COUNTY, Va. – Hiking and outdoor activities are a main economic driver for Giles County, and now, they have added more to an iconic location in the county.
“People think that Virginia stops at Roanoke,” said Heidi Stone, Mountain Lake Lodge president and CEO. “That once you get past Roanoke there isn’t anything. We are the beginning of all the amazing nature, and trails. ”
“It acts as a gateway,” said Chris McKlarney, Giles County administrator. “There is 100,000 continuous acres of national forest just beyond this road.”
Located at the iconicMountain Lake Lodge in Giles County, the new trail center is designed to be a central hub for hikers visiting the county.
“First of which is to provide amenities for someone who comes up, who uses mountain lake trail system,” said McKlarney. “It gives them basic services — bathrooms, changing rooms.”
I talked to the county administrator on this project and he tells me withMountain Lake Lodge’s history, putting this on the property will create exposure for the entire county.
“Last year there was 110,000 people that were here on property,” saidMcKlarney. “80,000 of those were day-use guests. So it gives them an opportunity to connect with other businesses, other venues, other cool things not only in Giles County, but throughout the New River Valley.”
They said you are a beginner hiker, or an advanced hiker, they’ll have something so that you can see the views.
“This location, Bald Knob, is 4,843 ft in elevation,” said McKlarney. “It’s the highest point in the New River Valley and it probably has the best views. It’s interesting because it faces south, you can see sunrises and sunsets—that’s one of the most beautiful views around. You can access that from [the Giles County Trail Center.]”
