Length	Difficulty	Streams	Views	Solitude	Camping
3.3 mls			N/A		N/A
Hiking Time: Elev. Gain: Resources:	1 hour and 30 minutes with 10 minutes of breaks 610 ft Topo Hike Trails Map (PDF) Blacksburg VA Weather Forecast Garmin (GDB), GPS eXchange (GPX) (What's this?)
From:	Get Directions Park at the end of North Fork Rd. at the preserve. 37.194892, -80.323465 NOTE: These coordinates are where Google Maps marks the end of North Fork Rd. Continue on the gravel road to the Falls Ridge Preserve Parking area.
	Hike Trails Map

By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins

Falls Ridge Preserve is located in the North Fork Roanoke River Valley close to Blacksburg, VA. This small preserve is held by The Nature Conservancy and protects a spring-fed travertine waterfall. Travertine describes limestone created by the build-up of spring water with high mineral concentrations. Over thousands of years the rocks grow in size, calcifying plants and other organic materials in the process. This waterfall was formed by the process, and has an interesting array of bulbous rocks at each cascade. It is clearly evident where moss and plants have calcified because there are many shades of green streaks in the rocks. The total height of the cascades is roughly 50-60 feet high and the upper cascades are particularly delightful. You can also add some mileage by taking the Chamberlain Trail loop along the ridges above the valley. On the way back be sure to check out the caves at the base of the limestone cliffs, another feature of travertine formations.

Finding the parking lot – The road to the parking lot is hidden behind the railroad tracks and is easy to miss because the end of North Fork Rd. road isn’t shown on Google Maps. When you cross the railroad tracks you need to make an immediate left turn on gravel North Fork Rd., and continue to its end and parking area for the Falls Ridge Preserve.

• Mile 0.0 – From the parking area follow the access trail through the field.
• Mile 0.25 – Reach the Bradley Trail loop (silver blaze) and turn right heading to the waterfall.
• Mile 0.3 – Stairs on the left lead down to an overlook for the base of the travertine waterfall. The primary flow is on the right side while travertine buildup is more evident on the left side of the falls.