Alleghany River Access

The Alleghany River Access trail provides the most remote and rugged hiking experience available within New River State Park, venturing into the Blue Ridge foothills above the ancient river to reach a series of river shoals where the current quickens over exposed bedrock and creates a dynamic river environment quite different from the gentle upstream sections near the main park facilities. The trail climbs through the transitional forest of the Blue Ridge foothills, passing through oak-hickory uplands before descending to the river level through thickets of rhododendron and mountain laurel that flower spectacularly in late spring and early summer. The shoals section of the river is particularly rich in aquatic biodiversity, with numerous species of native mussels and hellgrammites inhabiting the fast water, and smallmouth bass visible in the clear pools. The surrounding landscape retains a relatively wild character despite the agricultural valley below, with the forest cover on the hillsides providing habitat connectivity for black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey. The Blue Ridge escarpment rises above the valley to the east, its ridgeline visible from the higher sections of the trail and providing orientation in the gently folded terrain. The remote feel of this trail and the dynamic river character at the shoals distinguish it as the park experience most suited to visitors seeking solitude and immersion in the ancient New River landscape.