Virginia Creeper Trail
Overview
The Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail is a 34.3-mile former railroad path between Whitetop Mountain and Abingdon, VA. For the most part, it is wide and well graded with a cinder/gravel surface - suitable for either walking or bicycling (no motorized vehicles allowed) with many different trailhead locations allowing you to customize your explorations to whatever level of difficulty you want.
From Whitetop Station, the trail runs down hill pretty much all the way to Damascus, VA (about 18 miles) which makes for a VERY fun, and easy, bike ride. (There are several companies in Damascus that will rent bikes and provide a shuttle up to Whitetop Station for less than $30/person.) Any mountain bike would be fine. We use hybrid bikes. I would not recommend the use of street bikes due to occasional rocky areas in the trail.
Sections of the trail on Whitetop Mountain offer occasional views to surrounding mountains. Further down, the trail goes along beautiful creeks and rivers.
On a pretty day, especially on weekends, the trail can get VERY crowded. So it is a lot more fun to go early. If you get caught in the rain on the trail, expect to get covered with the black sandy cinder typical of old rail trails.
Taking Children
Great trail for all members of the family.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★