Tinker Cliffs via Andy Layne Trail Roanoke, VA

Hard, 8.0 mi out and back

2,060 ft elevation gain

Hiked 9/24/25

Flickr album

At roughly the same elevation gain and distance as McAfee Knob, it is far more difficult due to the elevation being in a few places instead of spread evenly. Though I found it more rewarding and with better views at the top than McAfee and with less (zero) crowds. Trail is half Appalachian Trail.

Not the most confident looking bridge I’ve crossed, held up fine, but was very bouncy.

The trail along Tinker Cliffs may be seen on the left with McAfee Knob near center on Catawba Mountain. Smoke from what appeared to be a slash and burn going on in a yard I passed on the drive in may be seen in the center.

A fat stack of Chicken of the woods that somehow I completely missed on the way up on the steep section. These were on the private land section of the hike that has been granted public access.