Noke News explores parts of Roanoke by foot, equipped with a camera and a notepad, in hopes of learning something new. Perhaps you will too.

This is Part 5 (and the last part) in an Exploring Roanoke series that covers the current (as of Summer 2008) entire 3 1/2 miles of Lick Run Greenway. The path runs from the Historic Gainsboro sign on the East end of Wells Avenue (near the large water fountain), all the way out to the Valley View area at the 4700 block of Valley View Blvd (near Best Buy).

(For a general introduction to the greenway system in Roanoke, you may want to first visit a previous post.)

Distance: approx. 1/2 mile

Last time in Part 4 I had made the recommendation to take a break at this little paved area to the right. The last leg of the greenway is just ahead.

By now, I start to hear cars and trucks off in the distance from travelers on I-581.

This is the bottom of the hill that leads up to the top and the bridge that crosses over I-581. The path ahead cruves to the right and then back to the left and is a rather steep incline.

(The first time I rode the greenway I was not prepared for the hill and was pretty well tired by the time I got to the top!)

At the top of the hill is a fenced-in section that parallels the ramp from the valley View area back onto I-581. Cars zoom past just on the other side of the fence.

From this vantage point, there is a great view of I-581 going north.

View of I-581 North from the Lick Run Greenway.

After crossing the bridge over the interstate the greenway comes out right in front of the shopping center with Best Buy.

This is where the greenway actually ends (or begins again).

End (or beginning) of Lick Run Greenway.

I will say that from this point traveling back to the “start” near Hotel Roanoke seems much easier, because now I get to ride down the hills!

A complete round-trip of the Lick Run Greenway is about 7 miles.