The hike up to Angels Rest is GREAT!  It is steep enough in places to really get your heart racing!  And at the top, the view down on Pearisburg, the New River, and the Wilburn Valley is very pretty.  

Wilburn Valley OverlookAngels Rest Hike

If it has rained at all the previous days before you go, watch your step starting out.  There are a few hundred yards of mud and rock that can be slick!

To get there... Find Pearisburg.  Then, off of Main Street, turn on Johnston Avenue, the fork off to the right onto Morris Ave, which becomes Cross Avenue.  Then, find the Appalachian Trail.  There is a pullout on the left just past the trail.

The hike is just over 2 miles up(a little further if you include the Wilburn Valley Overlook).

Click Here to see the detailed map of my hike.

This trail is entirely on the Appalachian Trail, meaning it is well marked(white blazes) and maintained with proper signage.  Below you can see one of the many switchbacks through the forest.  Here you can also notice the steepness of the hill.

Angels Rest HikeAngels Rest Hike

Once at the top, you have the option of going straight to Angels Rest with views of Pearisburg(pictured below) or shooting off to the left and view Wilburn Valley(first photo at top of page).  My advice?  Just do both, you came all this way, it's only another half-mile to the second overlook.

First a wide-shot of the valley, just look at those big puffy clouds!

Angels Rest HikeAngels Rest Hike

Now zooming in towards Pearisburg...

Angels Rest HikeAngels Rest Hike

On the left of the above images, you can see the New River meandering through the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Below is a telephoto image of the New River.

Angels Rest HikeAngels Rest Hike Then from the Wilburn overlook, you have nice views of farmland and pastures.

Angels Rest HikeAngels Rest Hike Angels Rest HikeAngels Rest Hike

Angels Rest HikeAngels Rest Hike After getting done with the hike, I made my way into downtown Pearisburg to take a few photos of their beautiful courthouse.

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Before heading back home I walked around downtown a bit and took a few shots.   In the below photo, you can see the where I was just earlier on the mountain in the background.  

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