Hike the Great Channels on Brumley Mountain

Most recently updated October 15th, 2024

Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

The Great Channels are right on the edge of  the areas of North Carolina and Virginia that were hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.

That said, the Park is open (with some restrictions) and many of the surrounding communities are open for business and could really use your Fall vacation dollars to help rebuild!

Go to my Hurricane Helene page to get the latest updates on the latest Park, Trail and road repairs. 

Mists rise from the mountains after a summer rain.
Smoky Mountains get their name from the mist that settles in the valleys.

I finally got to explore the Great Channels on Brumley Mountain, Virginia earlier this Fall after obsessing over it for nearly a year!

On the Navajo Trail in Bryce Canyon, Utah
On the Navajo Trail in Bryce Canyon, Utah

The Great Channels sit at the summit of a mountain, and features a maze of slot canyons similar to those you might find in the parks in Utah or Arizona.   

But the Great Channels formation is a surprise geologic gem hidden in southwest Virginia! 

Anyway, last year, while planning a hiking trip to Grayson Highlands State Park (more on that later),  I stumbled across an article about the Great Channels. 

“Stumbled” is probably not the best word for a hiker to use, but you know what I mean 😉

I made some new friends at Grayson Highlands State Park.
I made some new friends at Grayson Highlands State Park.

The Channels are a series of deep crevices worn into prehistoric sandstone outcrops, where you can walk down into the maze-like network of  crevices and explore.

You can also climb up on top of the Channels to get a stunning 360 view of the surrounding mountains!

Read on to learn how you can hike to the Great Channels, too.

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