Posted in Virginia August 14, 2020 by

Off The Beaten Path In Shawvers Run Wilderness, You’ll Find A Breathtaking Virginia Overlook That Lets You See For Miles

Want to see one of the best views in the whole state, but don’t want to have to work very hard to get there? Then head north up Route 311 from Roanoke through New Castle to the top of Potts Mountain for an overlook that’s hard to beat.

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High on the top of Potts Mountain near the West Virginia border is one of Southwest Virginia's best kept secrets: Hanging Rock Overlook.
Dakota Disher/Alltrails
It's a magnificent vantage point: from the Hanging Rock outcrop, you can see for miles in almost every direction.
Stewart Taylor/Alltrails
Spring, summer, fall, winter – they are all the right season to visit this overlook. Although admittedly, don't come in winter after a fresh snow unless you want to snowshoe in from the highway!
With such breathtaking views of range upon range of Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, you might assume the hike to reach the rock outcropping to be difficult...but it's not. Not in the least.
Caleb Shires/Alltrails
Rather, the area is easily accessible via a trail that’s less than a mile. It’s narrow but flat for the entire hike.
Stewart Taylor/Alltrails
But while the trail itself is easy, getting to the trailhead is a little more challenging.
Aaron Plaugher/Alltrails
The gravel road that takes you from Route 311 along the crest of Potts Mountain to the trail head is rough and narrow, and although it is possible to navigate it by sedan, you must drive slowly and carefully. The parking lot itself is small but rarely busy.
Despite the bit of trouble you may have to go to get here, it's all worth it in the end.
Dakota Disher/Alltrails
You’ll love being perched at the top of the world, taking in this view that goes on for miles.
Mark Mcclintic/Alltrails

To reach the trailhead if you are traveling north on Route 311 from New Castle, turn right on Potts Mountain Road at the top of Potts Mountain (if you reach the fish hatchery, you’ve gone too far) and go three miles to the well-marked trailhead parking lot on the left. For more information, check what other hikers have to say about the area on Alltrails.

Did that amazing view give you an appetite? Then you definitely need to head to Paint Bank for a buffalo burger before you leave the area!

Address: Potts Mountain Rd, Potts Mountain, VA 24131, USA