Description
The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail runs for 6.9 miles between Route 151 in Piney River, crosses over the Naked Creek Bridge then carries on to pass beneath US 29 and end at Tye Depot. The trail follows a scenic route along the Piney and Tye rivers, where wildflowers bloom from spring through summer and wildlife abounds. During the autumn hunting season, trail users should wear blaze orange clothing.
The trail occupies the rail bed of the former Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail, which ran from Tye River Depot (to interchange with the Southern Railway) to Massies Mill. Construction started in 1915 and the line was abandoned in 1980.
Portable toilets are available at the Piney River trailhead. You can also access the trail at Roses Mill. The trail is open between sunrise and sunset.
Parking and Trail Access
To access the Piney River trailhead, take US 29 to State Route 56 west at Colleen; turn right onto SR 56, and travel 5 miles to turn left onto SR 151. After 2 miles you'll see the trailhead sign on left (3124 Patrick Henry Highway, Piney River). Parking for cars and horse trailers is available.
To access the Roses Mill trailhead, take US 29 to SR 56 west at Colleen; turn right onto SR 56 and go abut 4 miles to left turn onto Roses Mill Road/SR 674). The trailhead is about 1.4 miles farther (around milepost 1.8 of the trail).
Virginia Blue Ridge Trail
By
youker
in
March, 2012
I biked this lovely trail today March 31, 2012 starting at Piney River Parking lot off Rt 151 which has a porta potty. The surface is fine crushed limestone and it runs along the lovely Tye River with lots of small water falls. However it is more than ...
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Enjoyable trail - wear blaze orange during hunting season Nov 13 to Jan 1 (approx)
By
babineauguy
in
November, 2010
This is a pleasant trail - very level and surfaced with crushed stone. The views of the river are very relaxing. This is not a thigh buster but more akin to a pleasant walk. We rode side by side and conversed most of the ride.
However, we did not think ...
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Happy to see progress
By
DeanaJohn
in
October, 2010
Returned to this trail a few weeks back and was thrilled to see that more had been added to it! I cannot wait to see what comes next! The trail is beautiful!
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