Parking
Park at the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 86. Begin the loop behind the building, following the signed trail access.
Overview
About Elk Run Trail
Why go
- Self-guided interpretive displays add context to a quiet forest walk
- Visitor-center trailhead provides straightforward parking and nearby facilities
- Short loop works well as a relaxed nature break
Heads up
- Natural surface includes roots, rocks, and several small footbridges
- Mostly wooded with limited long-range views
- Short distance may feel underwhelming to experienced hikers
Elk Run is a compact, self-guiding forest loop behind the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. The complete walk is about 0.8 miles and takes roughly an hour at a relaxed pace, with written displays that introduce the surrounding forest community National Park Service.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy hike itMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Blue Ridge Parkway map
Full mapElevation2,579–2,792 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
2 active Blue Ridge Parkway alerts
- ClosureNorth Carolina Helene-related closuresAvoid the closed Parkway section from MP 344.2–355.3; recreation of any kind is prohibited there.Official details
- ClosureVirginia Parkway closures and detourFollow the signed detour around the closed James River Bridge and avoid the closed Roanoke Mountain Loop. - James River Bridge (MP 63.5–63.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide
Your drive to Elk Run Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Blue Ridge Parkway. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Blue Ridge Parkway audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Peaks of Otter Visitor Center and Trail HubListen
“You're now entering the main hub for the Peaks of Otter, all centered around the visitor center. This is the best spot to get oriented, see some nature exhibits, or grab a map.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Peaks of Otter Lodge, Lake, and Restaurant
- Johnson Farm Loop: A Walk into the Past
- Parkway Black Bears: Spotting and Safety
- Flat Top Trail: The Quieter Summit Hike
- 277 audio storiesacross Blue Ridge Parkway’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Elk, White-tailed Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 112 trails, 232 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…We knew we wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. The narration was impeccably timed. The facts and info provided were meaningful. Without it, the trip would not have been near as awesome.”
Trail guide
Hiking Elk Run Trail
What to expectThis is a short, moderately strenuous natural-surface loop through shaded woods rather than a…
This is a short, moderately strenuous natural-surface loop through shaded woods rather than a viewpoint hike. The route leaves the visitor-center area, follows Elk Run, crosses several small footbridges, and returns to the same access point. Expect roots, rocks, and some uneven footing; the route is best enjoyed as a quiet nature walk with time to read the interpretive signs.
Planning your visitPark at the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 86, then…
Park at the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 86, then begin behind the building. The visitor center provides the simplest access to the loop and nearby facilities. Leashed pets are allowed where permitted by current Parkway rules; keep them controlled and check posted signs at the trailhead.
Good to knowWet leaves, ice, or heavy summer humidity can make this short route feel more demanding.
Wet leaves, ice, or heavy summer humidity can make this short route feel more demanding. Wear shoes suited to a natural trail and stay on the marked loop. Elk Run is a pleasant educational break, but hikers looking for broad views or a longer outing should choose one of the nearby summit or lake trails instead.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Blue Ridge Parkway
1,208 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
1,020 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
2,257 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
200 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
1,126 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
255 sightingsRed-tailed HawkMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
