The best walks and hikes in Buena Vista city

The Indian Gap Rocks Trail is a short loop trail right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway just past the Buena Vista Valley overlook. This .3-mile trail takes you through the Indian Gap Rocks, a unique rock formation of giant stacked and balanced boulders.

Reservoir Hollow Trail is a lovely trail you can hike either down from the East Midland Trail Road or up from the town of Buena Vista. The trail is generally pretty gradual and there are nice views and several stream crossings. Because of these streams, it can be a little muddy and buggy at times, so be sure to wear proper footwear and bring bug spray! You can also take a spur trail off of Reservoir Hollow Trail up to Elephant Mountain or up to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Woods Creek Park is a lovely local park on the western side of Lexington, Virginia. There is a playground, open green spaces, and a picnic pavilion. The Woods Creek Trail also runs through and ends at this park, making it a great place to begin or end your hike along it.

The Woods Creek Trail is a gravel multi-use trail that links the historic Jordan's Point with Woods Creek Park through the Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute's (VMI) campuses. This is a great urban trail on the northwestern side of Lexington.

The Jordan's Point Historic District is located in Jordan's Point Park in Lexington, Virginia. Developed around 1800 by John Jordan and John Moorhead, the site originally housed a sawmill. In 1806, they dammed the Maury River and constructed a cotton mill in 1808. Although only foundations and the millrace remain from these early industrial activities, notable surviving structures include the miller's house, built around 1815, which is now a local museum, and a chapel built in 1874. The district's historical significance was recognized in 2016 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Chessie Nature Trail is a relatively flat, gravel and dirt multi-use path that runs between Lexington and Buena Vista, Virginia, along the Maury River. Although there are several access points along this seven mile trail, there are no facilities, so plan accordingly. Hikers, runners, cyclists, and dog walkers are all welcome on the trail, but dogs must be leashed at all times, especially because the trail passes through private lands and active cattle farms.

Glen Maury Park, a 315-acre park in Buena Vista, offers miles of hiking and biking trails, an Olympic-sized pool, and two campgrounds. The park features several pavilions that can be rented out. Annually, the park hosts music events for music lovers of all genres, from rock n' roll to classical. Rentals for kayaks, inner tubes, and bikes are available at the park office if you want to cool off in the river after a nice hike around the trails. Additionally, the Glen Maury House is located here. Also known as Paxton Place or Elisha Paxton's house, this historic home was built between 1829 and 1832 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Buena Vista Riverwalk is an elevated multi-use path above the Maury River behind the buildings that make up the sleepy town of Buena Vista. Although the town has perhaps seen better days, this is still a pleasant path by the water that is free of cars and connects the small downtown to the Glen Maury Park, a 315-acre park with hiking and biking trails, camping, a pool, and many events throughout the year.