Shooting Creek - Fivemile Mountain

As shown here, this ride isn't based in Blacksburg, but it's worth a drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a lap or two. One could incorporate this route in one of the long rides from Blacksburg for even more miles. The distances in the cue sheet are referenced from the Short's Knob Overlook. There are many such overlooks on the parkway which make a good place to park a car.

The beauty of this ride comes from the fast descents, one hearty climb and the remote eeriness you feel riding in the arms of the Blue Ridge. Or maybe it's just the spectacular junkyard that lines the climb up Fivemile Mtn. (really, it's big). Many years ago, the secluded Shooting Creek Road was a favorite route of Bootleg runners, and Franklin County even today is one of the most prolific moonshining areas in the country.

Cannaday Gap/Runnett Bag Rd. is highlighted on the map because it makes an interesting descent from the Parkway to Hwy. 40 (unpaved and quite steep). It all but defies climbing the other direction with skinny tires.

The Overview Map gives an idea of this area's location compared to to Blacksburg. The dotted line shows the Allegheny Springs - Parkway Loop.

Distance: 31.2 mi
Climbing Elevation: 4246 ft

Route Map (221KB)
 Overview Map (163KB)

Elevation Profile


Cue Sheet
Distances referenced from Short's Knob Overlook
---- Head Left on the Parkway
1.7 mi Turn Left on Shooting Creek Rd. (860)
8.0 mi Turn Left on Hwy. 40
10.9 mi Pass Runnett Bag Rd. (793) on left
11.5 mi Turn Left on Dry Hill Rd. (789)
14.9 mi Turn Left on Buffalo Ridge Rd. (788)
17.3 mi Turn Left on Turners Creek Rd. (748)
19.2 mi Turn Left on Fivemile Mtn. Rd. (640)
24.3 mi Turn Left on Parkway
29.0 mi Pass Cannaday Gap Rd. (793) on left
31.1 mi Reach Short's Knob Overlook