Where We Work

Catawba Valley

Running southwest to northeast across three counties, the Catawba Valley is really two valleys in one, with its southwest end in Montgomery County draining into the North Fork of the Roanoke River, and its northeast section, Catawba Valley “proper,” drains into the James River via Catawba Creek. But culturally speaking, the valley is one, with only a careful eye able to detect where gentle rise in the road that separates the two stream valleys flowing in opposite directions.

The Catawba Valley is home to many unique natural features and amenities, including the aforementioned streams, the infamous “Murder Hole” cave, the Virginia Tech Sustainability Center at the old Catawba Farm that once fed the Catawba Hospital, and two of the more magical views along the Appalachian Trail, which runs along the valley’s southeast flank. These views include Tinker Cliffs on Tinker Mountain, and McAfee’s Knob, the cresting eastern terminus of Catawba Mountain that sports “the most photographed view along the entire A.T.”

The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy protects the historic McDonald’s Mill in the Montgomery County portion of this beautiful valley.

Catawba Valley conservationist, Ned Yost