Explore the best rated trails in Big Stone Gap, VA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Wilderness Road Trail and Pennington Gap Greenway . With more than 15 trails covering 133 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The trail from the Johnson City isn't bad albeit mainly downhill until you get to G Street in Elizabethton... Once in Elizabethton the ride sucks due to numerous road crossing, dis-courteous drivers who park in the cross hatches.
The Creeper Trail is still one of my favorite trails. I love riding it from the Abington end and from the Damascus trailhead. Both are absolutely beautiful and well worth the trip.
I rode this trail today starting at Jane Beshear TH in Royalton south to Tip Top Tunnel and then back up to Hagerhill and returned to Jane Beshear. The trail to Tip Top was in pretty good shape but the scenery was saddening at time with peoples living conditions. The last couple tenths of a mile to Tip Top Tunnel was some rough gravel but walkable at a minimum and rideable if you are so inclined. North of Jane Beshears to scenery is wonderful especially north of Gun Creek Tunnel. Just south of Swamp Branch TH I startled a group of horses in their enclosure and a big white pyrenes guard dog got up and stared at me. He figured I wasn't a threat, so he just watched me ride by without incident. I did get have several encounters with dogs south of Jane Beshears TH but only one chased me and I was able to ride away from him. I think he was just chasing me off "his" section of the trail as he stopped chasing me when he reached the end of his property. The north end of the trail stopped at Big Sandy Heating and Cooling a little bit before the endpoint shown on the map.
My friends and I meet at Lions Field in Elizabethton and take a vehicle to the trailhead in Johnson City where we start our 4 miler. The trail is wide enough for runners, bikers and walkers to navigate past each other safely and easily. The trail is chat/gravel and from the JC trailhead, mostly a gentle downgrade. This portion of the trail is scenic; woods, countryside, stream. The last 6 miles of the trail traverse Elizabethton and are mostly urban. The trail is heavily used, especially on weekends, from dawn to dusk. We do this run weekly and it’s one of my favorite trails.
Started at Johnson City trailhead. Trail descends toward Elizabethton resulting a climb back to Johnson City. The trail surface is crushed stone which is not smooth like hard-packed stone dust, so is a rough ride for road bikes.
We rode from Damascus to the end of the trail in Abingdon. The weather was sunny and mild, temps were in the high 60’s. Trail conditions were excellent. Traffic on the Creeper was brisk, even on Friday during the school year. This ride completed our previous ride from Damascus to White Top back in 2022. Maybe someday we will be able to ride the east end, a lot of work needs to be done to put the trail back together following Hurricane Helene. Be sure to visit the local stores in Damascus: Damascus Outfitters, Damascus Brewery, Appalachian Heritage Distillery, the Damascus Diner, Damascus Pizza, etc.
We rode the trail from Elizabethton starting in the late morning heading west. Road crossings in Elizabethton were a bit challenging, besides the fact that there are quite a few in a short distance, they come at sharp angles. Have your flashers on and watch the traffic carefully. The remainder of the trail to Johnson City was very nice. I look forward to riding the trail again in the future.
I chose to ride from Swamp Branch to Tip Top Tunnel after reading reviews of not so friendly dogs and less than scenic views at the beginning. I also didnt really want to ride 50 miles. Saw a large flock of turkeys and some deer. I did have a few dogs, but only one chased me until I yelled at him. The path was smooth, with the exception of the sections with lots of walnuts.
I only saw a bathroom at the Jane Beshear trailhead. Clean, but no TP.
Ate a 2nd lunch at the farm at Swamp Branch. Very friendly staff and good food. I said the chicken salad on homemade bread sounded good, but I needed to use their restroom first. I came up to order and she had it ready for me already.
I wish there were more historical markers as I enjoy learning about the history of th area.
There was some trash on the sides of the train, including a broken beer bottle. Someone cleaned the glass up as it wasn't there on my return trip.
The signs posted for distance from Jane Beshear to Tip Top are both incorrect.
On 9/16/25 I was chased twice by a dog at first or second house west of Swamp Branch TH. Fortunately I was able to pedal faster than dog could run. Dangerous for children.
We rode the full length of this trail and really enjoyed it. There is lots of shade through the woods. Signage was great and the views were wonderful. We got off our bikes and spent some time on the suspension bridge, so cool! The path is mostly crushed stone but there is a short stretch next to a hilly road where the rock used was rather large and we decided to just ride the road instead. Overall, a great ride!
I rode the trail out and back from Jenny’s Creek trail head to the dead end at Tip Top Tunnel. Pavement is perfect! Mostly tree canopy! Lots of small road crossing but very little traffic. The huge metal single file guard rails were strange and completely annoying. Strange that there so many - at bridges, road crossings, and even in flat straight sections. Annoying because they were only slightly wider than a road bike bars and you had to slow down and ease through. The facilities were completely toxic - awful. Not cleaned in years. Only 1 water fountain. Please do better.
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