The bridge was looking a little wind damaged at rickety this morning so we opted not to make the climb. However, the view from the ground here is still fantastic looking out at the mountains of Virginia. On a clear day, you can see quite some distance. There is a small gift shop here if you're looking for snacks or mementoes. A shaded picnic area is also nearby. The view is free. The climb up the 100 foot tower is not. It was built in 1947 and is still looking good. [Review 530 of 2025 - 1470 in Virginia - 24091 overall] read more

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This place is the perfect example of how important location is in a business. The Big Walker Lookout is located away from everything else in a gorgeous spot on the side of a mountain. The views are fantastic. I stopped for a drink and a snack before an off-roading trip. The inside of the store is full of souvenirs, knick-knacks, etc. I was able to pickup a drink and a snack and move on. The cashier was friendly. The outside is kind of run-down. There is a bridge from the tower over the parking lot that ends in broken boards and potential serious injury. I wouldn't walk on it. Overall, meh. It's in a great spot, but they could invest in their business a little more. read more

What an absolutely charming stop this was. My mother and I were traveling and looked up fun things to do in the area, and I am SO glad we stopped here. The tower offers a wonderful view (weather permitting) of the surrounding scenery. It is in the parking lot of a small country store (B&W) and offers scenic views of the surrounding area. Realistically, we had just come from a backpacking journey, and we took one look at those steps and decided not to journey to the top. In hindsight, I wish I had gone up, but that just means we will come back soon! The view from the ground was quite nice, and we enjoyed some butter pecan ice cream in the shaded sitting area. read more

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This is a hidden must see attraction. I was staying in Wytheville, Virginia (for the day and wanted to something. I found the Big Walker Lookout (20-30 min drive) and decided to check it out. The drive wasn't that bad. You are driving up a mountain so make sure you drive safe. When I got there, it wasn't busy at all. I loved how this was hidden towards the top of the mountain. I went into the store and bought my ticket to go up the lookout. For adults it was $9. I took the 100 steps up and man, It was kind of scary lol in my defense, it was a little windy he he he. When I got to the top - it was all worth it, the view was beautiful and I felt so at peace. It was defiantly easier going down then going up the stairs. I went down and next thing I knew, I was at the bottom already. The another cool thing is they had a bridge that took you to another look out and that was pretty fun. They have a cool little picnic area where you can sit and eat. They sell some snack in the store and some yummy ice cream. The store has as some cool memorabilia - shot glasses, key chains, magnets, etc. Overall, I enjoyed it here and I recommend it. read more

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Beautiful scenery and nice country store with crafts made by local people. There were locally-written books, bags, jewelry, keychains, souvenirs, fudge, and ice cream. I highly recommend the lemon crunch ice cream read more

Big Walker Lookout - You can see miles away - Hiking Near Me - Wytheville, Virginia

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A tunnel that runs literally through Big Walker Mountain, instead of literally driving up the mountain, they built this tunnel for us to drive through the mountain. There are actually two of these similar tunnels along I77, but this particular tunnel is in Virginia, about 20 miles from the West Virginia state line. Now it's time for some history research... "Elevation for both mountains is more than 3,000 feet. The logical solution was a tunnel through both mountains. Construction of the Big Walker Tunnel and adjacent roadways took five years. It was opened in 1972 at the cost of $50,000,000. It made history at that time as the most expensive single project undertaken on a Virginia interstate system." (Taken from the Federal Highway Admin website) read more

Big Walker Lookout - The tunnel that runs through a mountain - Hiking Near Me - Wytheville, Virginia

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I was told by several local folks I had to take the 12 miles drive from Wytheville to this locale. So okay, off I went. The drive up to the 3,400 ft plus elevation was a winding kaleidoscope of fall colour! I was pleased that even though it is a little past peak season, the beauty of Fall still showed through with the late afternoon light. At the top, Big Walker Lookout tower looms 100 feet high. It is an incredible wooden structure with what seems like endless stairs to the top. For $6, you can climb to the top and feel your knees go weak. But I am told the view has no parallel. I preferred to stay on the ground and explore the view, which is still amazing enough to me. The site is a part of the 1863 Battle of Wytheville and is the top of the mountain pass a lady named Molly Tyne used to warn Confederate soldiers of the impending Union attack. She helped thwart the Union's hoped for success of destroying mines and the railroad. Amazing history! There's a sweet general store/gift shop, too! Had to grab a few goodies like locally-sourced honey and preserves and a few souvenirs. This spot is really a low price tag, but gorgeous deal! A lot of bikers come up this way and I totally understand why!! If you're in the area, don't miss the view and history that defines Big Walker Lookout! read more

Great people, great ice cream selections, some days they have live music, local authors, and a wonderful gift shop.... Love the scenery while eating ice cream. read more

My boyfriend and I stopped in last September during a road trip as a way to break up a drive from Charlotte to Cleveland. We're both big fans of great views, but I would consider myself to be afraid of heights. I do okay with high up views on mountains, etc. But anything with "stairs" is a little scary for me. That being said, the view looked phenomenal, so I faced my fear and climbed on up. It was a windy day, so you can literally feel this "bare bones" tower shaking and swaying. At the top, the view was 100% worth it. And while I wouldn't leave the inner railing for fear of falling to my death... haha.. the view was remarkable and I had a huge adrenaline rush. After braving the tower, we explored the store a little bit, but there really wasn't much to see. This is a 5-star view that is perfect if you want to face your fears or if you're an already brave adrenaline junkie. Don't expect anything fancy, but the minimalist structure is what makes this so thrilling. read more

Big Walker Lookout - at the top! (hanging on for dear life) - Hiking Near Me - Wytheville, Virginia

If you want a real rush, climb this tower! Everyone saying they're too afraid are cowards. The store has some pretty cool gifts. Lots of gemstones and geode slices at a reasonable price and a decent variety of things. There was someone outside singing bluegrass or gospel or something when I went a few days ago. Not my thing, but I'm sure it would appeal to many others. If you haven't been up there and live in the area, it's for sure worth a look, and worth your 6 bucks to climb the tower. Good spot to take a date, and a must-see for brave out-of-towners passing through. I was skeptical at first, but it's a memorable place. read more

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Very cool piece of history here. There is a lookout that costs $8. The way they built it makes it extremely easy to make the 20 flights of stairs. Each step is lower than a normal step so you are not winded and the structure is sturdy. Great view from the top. Live music was available. Nice place to hang out and rest for a bit. Only a few miles outside of Wytheville, VA. The ice cream is awesome as well. read more

The Appalachians are beautiful, and Big Walker Lookout gives you a TERRIFYING but incredible view. The wind blows pretty hard at the top. Be ready. Don't be scared. It's sturdy and breathtaking. My daughter is 12. She was extremely nervous at first, but she ended up making the climb. I'm super proud. The railing at the top has a protective wire frame to provide extra protection at the top. I disagree with the previous reviews of Big Walker Lookout for this reason--BWL is a historic site. This tower was not built to make tourists happy. It was originally a forest fire observation tower. It served a specific purpose, and now that purpose is utilized for tourists. I get it. When you look up, you feel a tingle in the back of your knees. However, if you take the time to climb to the top, you will not be disappointed. read more

Big Walker Lookout - The tower on Big Walker Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Wytheville, Virginia

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I'm all up for searching out the different and unusual when traveling through an area. A very cute country store with all sorts of independent booths inside... nice. A great vista overlooking a beautiful view with picnic tables and some historical marker... even better. The fact that the store sells a great local ice cream... better still. Hubby or me going up on that tower? No way, no how. Again, I appreciate quirky, and if some guy wants to take a random spot of land way off the beaten path and turn it into something... great. But much of what you will see if you visit here was obviously homemade, including the tower, and judging by their construction skills on the picnic table area with concrete pads and roof... and noting the retaining wall at the base of the tower with blocks scattered, dirt piles, and the swinging bridge that ends at a tower that goes literally nowhere... Sorry. You are too far from any town, the ambulance that would have to be called if that tower gave way would be too long. Spend your $5 inside and sit at the table. One booth had exceptionally nice soy candles that I picked out a couple, and another had rock slabs that will make great drink coasters for our coffee table. Also had your requisite "Virginia is for Lovers" coffee mugs and refrigerator magnets. Do go visit, because patronizing the small business owner is always good, just skip that structure that Bubba built. read more

The Big Walker Mountain Tunnel is a vehicular tunnel in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia that carries Interstate 77 through/under Big Walker Mountain. It is located a few miles south of the town of Bland and a segment of the Appalachian Trail, and about 20 miles (32 km) south of its longer cousin, the East River Mountain Tunnel.. The 4,229-foot (1,288 m) tunnel was first opened in 1972 after five years of construction labor. It carried a price tag of $50 million, which at the time was the most expensive single project undertaken on Virginia's interstate system.[1] The opening of the tunnel reduced the travel time from Wytheville to Bland County by 30 minutes.[2] Preliminary engineering studies for the project were made by Brokenborough & Watkins, consulting engineers of Richmond, Virginia, and the final design of the roadway and tunnel was by Singstad & Kehart, consulting engineers of New York City. The north tunnel approach and surrounding area can be viewed from the Big Walker Lookout, a 100-foot observation tower built on Big Walker Mountain about five miles east of the tunnel. read more

Beautiful views from the tower if you can make it to the top! I went with my two small girls and really felt like it was not completely safe as there was too large of a gap between handrails that I felt a young child could fall through. I felt they could be a little more open about what ages the tower is appropriate for. While homey and quaint, the crafts are definitely not "artisan" quality. The ice cream was delicious, and overall I was glad we stopped there. read more

Big Walker Lookout - 100 ft tower - Hiking Near Me - Wytheville, Virginia

Decided to drop in here last weekend and I'm glad we did. I finally convinced the wife to climb the tower with me and we both had a great time. It is well worth the $6 tickets for the view. Must do if you're in the area. The people working the store part are great as well. read more

If your going because of their ads in local magazines or a website and think they have a big country store with lots of gifts and crafts to choose from you are going to be sadly disappointed. I certainly was and I also had no intentions of climbing the tower after the reviews I read. On the other hand if you want to hear some decent blue grass music on Saturday or Sunday then by all means make the trip up this big hill. If I had read the reviews first I would not have gone. It's really a big hype about nothing in my opinion. Except for the music on the weekend. read more

This place was clearly so cute back in the 70s or 80s but the place is now really run down. I guess it's the collateral damage from more infrastructure going through area. It's a sham because you can tell at some time it was a really cool place to visit. There is still a high tower you can walk up to overlook the area and some other good views but not much else. The country store is uber cute! read more

Big Walker Lookout is a wonderful stop if you're looking for something new and interesting. This establishment is a tourist location but it is also nice to visit once in a while if you're local as well. The owner and his wife are absolutely charming! You can often find them around the store or mingling with customers, entertainers or those just passing through for the wonderful ice cream. Yes, that's right, if you haven't been here in a few years, they now have ice cream and it's the BEST! They change the flavors out seasonally so you can try a few different ones. These are absolutely gourmet in nature and there's a cute little sitting area inside as well as several picnic tables outside overlooking the beautiful mountains across the area. I haven't been to the top of the tower in a really long time. I wish the price to go to the top was just a little cheaper...I might consider going up there again if they were to do a 2 for 5 deal or something...That would be really nice actually. As for merchandise--you won't find anything like it anywhere else. If you want tourist stuff, they've got you covered with a wide variety of interesting and neat little items that range in price from cheap to expensive and nice. It all depends on what you're looking for and what kind of quality you'd prefer. There's jewelry, locally crafted products, shirts, gizmos and gadgets. They have a nice selection of locally authored books, music and post cards. The local artists and authors frequent BW Lookout for concerts and book signings each weekend throughout the year. Those schedules can be found on their website and they are well worth attending. In fact, just plan to spend a few hours at this happy little establishment atop the mountain. You'll relax and thank yourself for it! read more

This place was fantastic. It's 202 steps to the top (if you don't count the steps to the base.). Be prepared for the wind though, small children may or may not like it. The views are great, and so are the windy roads to get there. They have basic food items and souvenirs. Wasn't crowded when we went. This is a place made for the road trip. It was six bucks per person paid to the nice old lady inside. read more