Explore the best rated trails in Bristol, VA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail and Guest River Gorge Trail. With more than 20 trails covering 118 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.
Just got back, mid May ride. Purple and white Phlox blooming along creek. Clean community rec center to use bathroom. Mostly level.
This is the only flat road in the area. I ride here whenever I visit the Boone area. It is a great road for experienced cyclists who are comfortable sharing the road with traffic which is usually not very heavy. Like others have said it is not a good place for casual riders looking to get away from the road.
The pavement isn't perfect but it is just fine for racing bikes.
With over 6.5 miles of trail open from the Bristol Va trailhead the Mendota trail is coming along nicely. Great ride that will only get better when completed which should be in 2023 thanks to some new grant money. I highly recommend this ride for one and all.
I am 70 and handicapped with a heart condition. I have an e-bike that allows me some mobility. I have exercised to a point where I could physically ride this and enjoy it, but am prevented from doing so by regulation, as this is a “non-motorized” trail. What can we do to get this re-classified?
10/25/22 Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful on a beautiful Fall Day. Maybe 20 people on the trail. Did Whitetop to Abingdon. Lunch break in Damascus. 6 hours seat time. Rid the everyday life of stress & enjoy the Creeper.
The trail offers impressive rock formations and a few spots to get to the river. From the parking lot (which is nicely kept having trash bins and pit toilets), you begin your downward decent to the other end that ends at the water crossing and active rail line. A beautiful end point to relax and enjoy. Make sure you’re prepared for the return trip as it is all up hill. Not an easy climb! I brought my Australian shepherd and there were a couple places for her to get in the river. Not many people!
At least two addition miles are now open on the northern end. At about the 2.5 mile point going south, the grade begins to rise and the valley walls close in as you ascend into a gap. The trail remains plenty wide and there are some tables and stone benches nearing the 3.5 to 4.5 marks. I very much enjoyed the walk yesterday. Ps. Zero cell reception for most of the way on this end of the trail.
Over the course of two days, we took a shuttle from Damascus, VA (there are several) to Whitetop Station and rode basically all downhill about 17 miles to Damascus. Beautiful scenery and many trestles. The second day we rode from Damascus to Abingdon, VA and back for a total of about 32 miles. Damascus to Abingdon is relatively flat so you are constantly pedaling. I would highly. recommend this trail to anyone.
I don't know what the previous reviewer was talking about regarding maintenance...this thing is incredibly well-kept. The entrance road and parking lot are paved with tons of parking spaces and there are pit toilets as well.
This was a beautiful Fall bike ride, with the leaves really starting to change. You don't really have to pedal the entire way down, but it really isn't too bad of a challenge if you take your time coming up. My recommendation is to stop and explore some of the side paths to the river on your way back up. The limestone cliffs are absolutely stunning - you could still see soot stains on them from steam engines! Highly recommend this trail for a couple hours out in the woods. Worth the hour drive from Abingdon.
Just finished the entire trail. Very beautiful and well maintained. Lots to see and do along the way. Much easier ride from Damascus to Abingdon than Whitetop to Damascus. If you ride midday the sunlight filtering through the trees while beautiful can interfere with your vision. More crowded in Abingdon. I think it deserves the designation as a Hall of Fame trail.
Entered from Mendota trailhead. Three new bridges, but trail ended at 2 miles. Gate sign said trail ends. Rough trail but doable.
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