Roanoke Dedicated Mill Mountain Trail in Peake's Memory
The city honored John Joseph Peake with the opening of a 1.5-mile trail on Mill Mountain.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Hiking
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Roanoke officials and the Peake family held a dedication ceremony for the new John Peake Pass. The trail spans over 1.5 miles and connects the mountain hub to the Sidewinder Trail.
Why it matters
The project serves as a permanent community tribute to John Joseph Peake, a Patrick Henry High School and Virginia Tech graduate who passed away in 2022.
The new trail segment spans 1.5 miles and features a commemorative bench installed to honor John Joseph Peake, who died at age 29.
The players
John Joseph Peake
He was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School and Virginia Tech who passed away in 2022.
Roanoke Parks Foundation
This organization funded the construction of the trail project on Mill Mountain.
The details
Constructed in 2025, the trail was financed by the Roanoke Parks Foundation. It provides a new connection between the mountain's central hub and the existing Sidewinder Trail for local hikers.
Timeline
John Joseph Peake died in 2022.
The trail was constructed in 2025.
The dedication ceremony occurred on September 25, 2026.
Roadmap
This project follows a pattern set by the Roanoke Parks Foundation's ongoing efforts to expand local recreational access. It marks a continued push to enhance connectivity between existing mountain trails for the public.
Hikers in the area can now utilize the new 1.5-mile connection between the mountain hub and the Sidewinder Trail. The addition provides a new route for daily exercise and recreation on Mill Mountain.
The takeaway
The John Peake Pass provides a tangible new resource for local outdoor enthusiasts while honoring a late community member. Hikers visiting Mill Mountain should note this route as a functional link between existing trail systems.
Further reading
Discover more outdoor recreation opportunities in the Hiking section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSLS.
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