The Great Channels Virginia might be one of the coolest places I have hiked in Virginia. Moreover, after a shaded forest climb for a little over three miles, you reach a maze of narrow sandstone passages.
My first reaction upon stepping inside was that this place is exceptionally cool.
I have completed this hike twice: once in cooler March weather with coworkers and two eight-year-olds, and again on a warm day with my husband. On our more recent hike, we reached the top in about an hour and a half, spent one to two hours exploring the Channels and eating lunch. It took us a little over an hour to descend. I would allow five to six hours so you never have to rush the best part.
The payoff is unusual enough that I would drive two hours to hike it, even though it is only about an hour from my home. My rating is a solid 9 out of 10. The trail itself is mostly a steady uphill walk; the rock corridors at the top are what make it memorable.
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Great Channels Hike at a Glance
| Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Trailhead | Brumley Mountain Trailhead on Route 80 near Hayters Gap |
| Distance | Approximately 6.6 miles round trip on the Channels Trail route we used |
| Elevation gain | Approximately 1,300 feet |
| Difficulty | Moderate, mainly because the approach is more than three miles uphill |
| Time | Allow five to six hours for hiking, exploring and lunch |
| Facilities | No restrooms, water or other facilities |
| Cell service | Limited near the trailhead and unavailable for portions of the hike |
| Parking | About 10 legal spaces; vehicles parked elsewhere may be towed |
| Best strategy | Go on a weekday or arrive early, especially on a weekend |
Where Are the Great Channels of Virginia
The Great Channels sit near the crest of Middle Knob in Channels State Forest, along the border of Washington and Russell counties. They are a network of crevices within a sandstone outcrop, creating passages that look more like something you would expect to find in the Southwest than in the Appalachian Mountains.
Before you go, review current rules and notices on the Virginia Department of Forestry Channels State Forest page. Trail access, forest conditions and permit requirements can change.
Parking at the Brumley Mountain Trail head
Parking is the most important planning detail for this hike. The Brumley Mountain Trail head has roughly 10 spaces, and the signs warn that vehicles parked outside the designated area can be towed. This is not a trailhead where you should assume you can squeeze onto the shoulder when the lot is full.
I would not arrive in the middle of the day on a pretty weekend and hope for the best. Choose a weekday if you can. If you are hiking on a weekend, arrive early and have a backup plan in case every legal space is taken. Do not create your own parking spot or block the road.
There are no restrooms, water fountains or visitor facilities at the trailhead. Stop before you reach the mountain, and carry everything you need for several hours outdoors. Cell service is also unreliable once you begin hiking, so download your map and directions in advance.
What the Trail Is Like
From the Brumley Mountain Trail head, the approach is straightforward and well marked. The route climbs at a fairly steady grade through the forest rather than hitting you with one extremely steep section. Most of the trail was shaded on both of my hikes, which helped in warm weather, but the sustained climb still adds up.
We encountered a few muddy areas, so comfortable shoes with dependable traction are a better choice than casual sneakers. Bring plenty of water and snacks or a packed lunch. There is a natural temptation to travel light because the mileage sounds manageable, but you will likely spend much longer at the top than you would at a normal overlook.
Near the summit, you will also see the old fire tower. Do not climb it. It is not maintained and is unsafe. The Channels are the destination, and there is no reason to risk climbing a closed structure.
Exploring Inside the Great Channels
The entrance was not difficult to find, and the signed trail delivered us directly to the rock formation. Once inside, the passages were also easier to navigate than I expected. The corridors form a loose maze, but there are plenty of openings and recognizable intersections. We took our time, wandered through different sections and found a comfortable place to eat lunch.
A few passages require you to turn sideways and squeeze through. Most of the area, however, is much more open. If tight spaces make you uncomfortable, you can skip the narrowest cracks and still experience the Channels. I do not think a mildly claustrophobic visitor has to rule out the hike entirely; just stay in the wider corridors and never force yourself into a space that feels wrong.
When my husband and I arrived, we initially had the Channels to ourselves. We saw only four other people while we were there. That solitude made the experience even better, but it should not be assumed on every visit. A small parking area naturally limits crowds, yet weekends and peak foliage can still be busy.
Is the Great Channels Hike Hard
I would describe this as a moderate hike. The footing and navigation are not especially technical, but you need enough stamina to walk a little more than three miles uphill before you begin exploring. The descent is faster, though tired legs can make muddy sections feel more difficult.
Our climb took about an hour and a half, and our descent took a little over an hour. Those times will vary with fitness, trail conditions and how often you stop. The five-to-six-hour recommendation includes a generous amount of time inside the Channels, which is the entire reason to make the hike.
Can Kids Hike the Great Channels
Kids can complete this hike if they already have hiking stamina and adults supervise them closely. Two eight-year-olds joined my coworker group, and a friend of mine has taken her five- and seven-year-olds. The challenge for children is the long uphill approach, not complicated scrambling inside the Channels.
Know your own child rather than relying on age alone. A child who regularly hikes several miles may love the maze at the top. A child who tires after a short walk may struggle before reaching it. Keep children close around rock openings, stay on durable surfaces and pack more water and snacks than you think you need.
What to Bring
- Supportive hiking shoes with traction
- Plenty of water for a 6.6-mile hike
- Lunch or substantial snacks
- A downloaded trail map and offline driving directions
- A light layer because the shaded rock passages can feel cooler than the trail
- A small trash bag so every bit of food and waste leaves with you
When to Hike the Great Channels
I enjoyed the trail in both March and warmer weather. A cooler spring day makes the climb comfortable, while the tree canopy provides welcome shade when temperatures rise. After rain, expect mud and slick rock. In fall, the forest should be beautiful, but the tiny parking area becomes an even bigger concern.
Start early enough to finish with daylight, but remember that the sun reaches the shaded trail and deep rock passages differently than it reaches an open overlook. Check weather and forest alerts before leaving, and avoid the rock maze during storms, ice or other unsafe conditions.
Is the Great Channels Worth It
Yes. If you can handle the uphill mileage, the Great Channels are absolutely worth the effort. The approach is pleasant but not the main attraction. Then you step between towering rock walls and suddenly the hike feels unlike almost anything else in Virginia.
Would I drive two hours for it? I would. Would I arrive at noon on a fall Saturday without a backup plan? Absolutely not. Plan around the parking, give yourself enough time to explore and treat the forest carefully. With those expectations, this is one of the best unusual day hikes in Southwest Virginia.
Make It a Southwest Virginia Weekend
The Great Channels work well as the centerpiece of a Southwest Virginia weekend. Depending on the direction you are traveling, pair the hike with one or two of these areas rather than trying to rush through all of them:
- Hungry Mother State Park for lake views, trails and a relaxed park day
- Abingdon for a walkable downtown, the Barter Theater, restaurants, and an overnight base
- Damascus and the Virginia Creeper Trail
- Grayson Highlands State Park or Whitetop Mountain for more high-elevation scenery
- Russell County for an off-road adventure
- Head over to the Devil’s Bathtub
Great Channels Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Great Channels hike
Our out-and-back route from the Brumley Mountain Trail head was approximately 6.6 miles with about 1,300 feet of elevation gain.
How much time should you allow
Allow five to six hours. We spent about 90 minutes climbing, one to two hours exploring and eating lunch, and a little over an hour descending.
Are there restrooms at the trailhead
No. There are no restrooms, water or visitor facilities at the Brumley Mountain Trail head.
Will tight passages bother someone who is claustrophobic
The narrowest cracks can be avoided. Several passages are wide and open, so visitors can see the formation without squeezing through every corridor.
Can you climb the fire tower
No. The old tower is not maintained and is unsafe. Obey posted closures and view it only from the ground.
Final Thoughts
The Great Channels earn their payoff. You work for it with a long, steady climb, then get to spend an hour or two exploring a place that feels hidden in the middle of the Appalachian forest. Go early, park legally, carry what you need and leave the rock corridors exactly as you found them. For me, it is a 9 out of 10 Southwest Virginia hike.
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