I’ve got a friend coming to visit in a couple of weeks who has told me that she would enjoy some of the hiking around here. So this week, I tested out a trail in Roanoke to see if it might be a possibility.

If you drive up Mill Mountain to the Roanoke Star, you can park and walk down the old road, which is now closed to traffic. It offers great views of the city, but the mountain is also home to a whole network of trails, so I thought it was time to check one of them out.

I decided on the Star Trail, which is about 1.5 miles up, then 1.5 miles back. It starts on the outskirts of the city in a pretty industrial area.

But you’re quickly in the woods.

Enjoying a climb.

And also enjoying the fact that there aren’t too many people out there. I saw three other hikers during the duration of my hike. After about half an hour, I could see my destination through the trees.

And was rewarded with this crazy beautiful view (and a clean public bathroom).

The Star Trail comments on the AllTrails app were not terribly effusive but I’m going to ignore the haters. This trail made for a beautiful walk in the woods and will offer my friend and me a nice option for a great walk — all with proximity to Roanoke’s quality coffee establishments afterwards.