Virginia Creeper Trail

Virginia Creeper Trail (log in to submit report)
Located	Damascus, Virginia
Trail Marking	None
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail
Difficulty Rating	Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail.	2 hrs0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	34.67 mi55.796 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 34.67 mi55.796 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type	Segment
Low / High Point	1,729 ft576.333 Yards <br />526.999 Meters <br /> / 3,597 ft1,199 Yards <br />1,096.366 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	694 ft211.531 Meters <br /> / (2,213 ft674.522 Meters <br />) – East-to-West
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	No other Trails within 5 mi
Parking	36° 38' 3.37" N, 81° 46' 57.25" W Map
Trailhead	36° 38' 3.37" N, 81° 46' 57.25" W Map
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Trail Overview

The Virginia Creeper Trail (VCT) is an excellent Rails-to-Trails conversion features forested path with 47 wooden trestles and bridges over creeks and rivers. Extremely popular bicycling ride.

How to get there

The VCTC website provides car GPS addresses for the trail access points:

• Abingdon Trailhead- 300 Green Spring Road, Abingdon, VA 24210
• Watauga Trailhead- 24350 Watauga Road, Abingdon, VA 24211
• Alvarado Station- 21198 Alvarado Road, Abingdon, VA 24211
• Damascus Town Park- 301 S Beaver Dam Ave, Damascus, VA 24236
• Straight Branch Trailhead- Near 25738 Jeb Stuart Highway, Jefferson National Forest Damascus, VA 24236
• Taylors Valley Trailhead- 23530 Taylor Valley Road, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA 24236
• Creek Junction Trailhead- 21285 Creek Junction Road, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA 24236
• Green Cove Station- Green Cove Community Center, 41221 County Road 600, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA 24236
• Whitetop Station- Whitetop Gap Road, Whitetop, VA 24292 (Note: this is NOT Whitetop Mountain but the community of Whitetop, VA)

Route Description

The route is obvious due to its former railroad bed and well-worn path. There are two sets of mile markers - one for the former railroad, the other from Abingdon. The VCTC is also installing numbers on the trestles for more guidance and to aid emergency responders.

Out and back trips can be taken from any of the access points or shuttle can be arranged. Popular routes are taking a shuttle to Whitetop and riding 17 miles back down to Damascus or starting at Abingdon over to Damascus and back.

Typical Conditions

Wide gravel trail with wooden trestles from former railroad. Well maintained due to its high use.

Fees, Permits, etc.

The VCT is free to walk/ride. If you have your own bike and just need a shuttle (leaving between 8AM and 3PM), it's typically $14. Rental a bike for $15-18 (4 hours) or $20-21 (all day), and then the shuttle is around $10. Ride down from Whitetop to Damascus is considered half day, while all the way to Abingdon is full day.

The following bike shops are available in Damascus:

• JC's Outdoors
• Adventure Damascus Bicycles
• The Bike Station (warning: annoying cursor tail on website.)
• Blue Blaze Bike Rental (warning: annoying cursor tail on website.)
• Creeper Trail Bike Rental

And in Abingdon:

• Virginia Creeper Trail Bike

Misc. Information

The trail is managed by the Virginia Creeper Trail Club. website

Photos

• 

  Green Cove Station

• 

  Abingdon Trailhead

• 

  Alvarado Station

• 

  Trestle 12

Click here to upload an Image