Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail:
Virginia
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Description:
The Virginia Creeper offers scenic wonders from dense forests, open fields, and lush waterways to railroad relics and delightful small towns. Cyclists and equestrians love the length of the Creeper, and many local walkers and joggers take advantage of the pleasant opportunity for a little exercise.
The trail officially begins at the Virginia/North Carolina border, but the easiest place to start the Creeper is from the Whitetop Station trailhead. (However, to cover the entire trail, simply ride the extra mile from Whitetop to the North Carolina border before turning around to begin your voyage.)
The first 17-mile stretch to Damascus allows for numerous restroom breaks at its many trailheads, some of which are housed in restored railroad depots. This section travels through terrific scenery, from Christmas tree farms and grazing llamas to river views and deep forestland. The Appalachian Trail also weaves on and off the Creeper. After going through dense trees, you will emerge to glide over bridges high above Laurel and Green Cove creeks.
At approximately the midpoint of the Creeper, you will reach the Damascus trailhead. Before tackling the rest of the trail, consider taking a break in this sweet town. Damascus is the self-proclaimed friendliest town on the trail, and it won't take you long to see why: Its trailhead offers restrooms, a caboose-turned-information-booth, a replica train engine, and parking. Veer off the trail to find lunch stops and bike shops in town.
After your break, get ready for a little work: From Damascus to the trail's end in Abingdon, a little more effort is required. The constant downhill is exchanged for a flat grade with some gentle rises and descents. It's not strenuous, but it is a change from the first section of trail. If you are bicycling, be aware that abundant equestrian use just after Damascus can leave its mark on the trail surface and give you a bumpy ride. But don't let a few bumps get you down. They start to peter out about 7 miles before Abingdon, and some of the Creeper's most beautiful river and farmland views are still ahead.
On a ridgeline high above the South Fork Holston River, you will emerge onto a bridge offering invigorating views of South Holston Lake below. Enjoy the water, cliffs, and trees while they last, because the landscape is about to change again, this time to peaceful, sprawling ranchland.
As you continue your journey toward Abingdon you will run into cattle gates across the trail. These gates mark your entrance to the Creeper's expansive grazing meadows. This tranquil farmland accompanies you for much of the remainder of the journey. About a half mile from Abingdon is a public park with restrooms, picnic areas, and a water fountain. Just across the last bridge, you will reach the endpoint.
If you are traveling to the Virginia Creeper from out of town, consider that many bike shops in Damascus and Abingdon offer bike rentals and a shuttle up to the Whitetop Station trailhead.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To get to the Whitetop Station trailhead, follow US Hwy. 58 east from Abingdon into Grayson County. Turn right on VA Route 726 and head south toward the North Carolina border. You will see the parking area off of 726.
To get to the Abingdon trailhead, head south on Main Street (US Hwy. 11) in Abingdon and turn right onto Pecan Street. There is a large locomotive engine on display by the trailhead, which can be spotted off to the left of the parking lot.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
The Virginia Creeper Trail is open year-round. If severe weather occurs, parts of the trail may be closed for repairs.
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Reviews: [11 trail ratings]
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Delightful trail
By MaryHarroff in November, 2011
We rode from Damascus to White Top on our recumbent tandem. You do climb for most of the trip but the steepest grades are no more than 5%. The trail surface is good, perfect if you have a hybrid or mountain bike.

So much fun to climb to the top and coast all the way home.
Great Family Trail
By NESchultz3 in October, 2011
Drove up from Charlotte, NC and stayed overnight in Damascus over Labor Day weekend. First time for us and probably a very busy trail weekend.

Rode up to Whitetop and back on Saturday and to Abingdon and back on Sunday. Wife and I were on singlespeeds with our 10 & 12 year old boys. No shuttle here. Knocked out the "uphill" sections before the gentle descents back to Damascus. There was once a train on this line so we didn't find it all that difficult. If you have gears, some experience and the time no need for the shuttle. By the time you go through all that you'll be halfway up.

Did have some motivational issues with the 10 year old going up to Whitetop. Stopped frequently, took 3.5 hours that included watching a folk band at the Green Cove Station. Trail well marked. Had to watch out for inexperienced cyclists coming down. Made it back down to Damascus in 1.5 hours without really stopping. Kind of a thrill ride, very fun and easy pedaling.

The section to Abingdon the next morning was less of an uphill. Entire section was open. Very nice, scenic and pastoral. Managed to get there with frequent stops in about 3 easy hours. Again coming back was about 1.5 hours. Less people on the Damascus to Abingdon and back section.

Happy to have covered the entire trail basically twice over the weekend. Nice trestle bridges, kind of tight in some areas. Need to bike defensively with less experienced cyclists on the trail. You can tell some of them biffed by their skinned up shins. Nothing technical on the trail, just stay to the right. Downhill to Damascus from either endpoint is an absolute breeze.

Check out hikes at nearby Grayson Highland State Park about 1 hour away from Damascus.

We plan on going back again! Highly recommended.
Fun trail, run like an amusement park - but still fun.
By brookster in October, 2011
I met my uncle down in southern Virginna for two days of late October trail riding. We hit this trail the second day, after riding the New River trail the day before. Both were great, but for different reasons.

After having done 55 miles the day before we wanted a more leisurely ride, so parked at Abingdon and called a shuttle service to take us to the top of Whitetop mountain, from where we would ride back to our cars at the other end of the trail. There are a lot of people that do this - I mean a lot. While were were being unloaded, with the 10 other passengers in our shuttle, two other full vans showed up to unload. The shuttle service we hired had at least 8 vans, and they weren't the largest outfit. I can only imagine the crowds they get barreling down that mountain on summer weekends. Yikes! Mental note - only do the Virginia Creeper off summer, on a weekday.

That being said - it really is a very fun trail. I was glad I brought my mountain bike for this trail, especially the first half going down off the mountain to Damascus, although most folks were on hybrids. The trail surface isn't nearly as smooth as the New River Trail, but still wasn't too bad. You can basically coast for about the first 15 miles - it's all downhill. I would love to get up there pre-dawn to do a run off of the mountain without having to worry about running into someone - I bet you could beat the shuttle back down. Too many folks going down to do this - but it's still pretty sweet.

I actually enjoyed the run from Damascus to Abingdon more. It's more remote feeling as most of the shuttle born folks stop at Damascus. You cruise through cow pastures and across many high bridge trestles - great scenery. I'm told some of the last three miles is uphill...if it is it's so gradual you won't even notice it. The whole trail is a very easy ride - you won't get a great workout, but you will enjoy great scenery and have a fun morning in the saddle.
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