Reviewed by: Mark , from Christiansburg, VA

Summary:
Guys, This trail is a National Recreation Trail and as such it is closed to Bicyles. It is one of only a few in the Jefferson that is closed to Bicycles. I remember reading that it is closed to bicyles in the Forest Service Literature. Please, lets not sully our image any worse. There are plenty of trails to ride without riding the few that are closed to bicycles in this forest.

Recommended Route:
Be Very Wary

Reviewed by: TrailTerror , from Roanoke, VA

Summary:
The single track is about 2.5 miles up
to the falls with a stream alongside with very
scenic views, worthy of snapshots, all the way up.
However, only a small portion of this "trail" is rideable.
The great majority of it is better done on foot with
your bike left in your vehicle. Extremely rocky
most of the way up. In fact, there are some areas
where the trail virtually disappears. Mountain goats
would feel right at home on this ascent to the falls.
Numerous rocky staircases, natural and man made
litter this "trail". Even "seasoned veterans"
will find this extremely challenging.
However, once you reach the top at the Blue Ridge
Parkway, just to the left of the parking lot
at the Apple Orchard Falls overlook,
you can access the gravel road that is a swift
9-mile ride back down to the starting point at North
Creek. This is quite a ride, but beware, the
road has a "corduroy effect" in numerous areas
after about the first third of the descent, and
it will make you feel like you are riding a jackhammer.
But after the climb up, it was the reward for the
effort.

Recommended Route:
I accessed Apple Orchard Falls trail from I-81 @
Arcadia, to just past the North Creek campground .
Trail head is just up the road.

Reviewed by:  Trail Bandit , from Vinton,VA

Summary:
WARNING! This trail is all up hill, but the fun part is coming back down! You have the opption to ride a tight technical singal track, or ride an old fire road. The single track is approx 2.5miles to the falls and you fallow a nice stream all the way up. I haven't been to the end of the fire road, but there is also a nice stream that fallow's along side it. I would recomind the road for the not so technical, and the single track for the seasoned veteran only. Be prepaired to have to walk up some of this one! Most importantly,........TAKE YOUR CAMERA!!! This place is a photographers paradise! Lot's of waterfalls.

Recommended Route:
81-North turn right at the Arcadia exit. Follow this road for about 2-miles, then turn left when you come to a sing that points to North Creek. Just follow this to the trail-head.