Explore the best rated trails in Lenoir, NC. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail and Railroad Grade Road. With more than 30 trails covering 134 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.
We parked at a park 2 miles from the northern end and went north to the end and then back south to Forest City and back north to the car. About 17 miles and 2 hours. Nice even pavement. Warm fall day. Perfect. Northern end more woodsy but interesting in the more populated areas and towns as well. Would defiantly do it again.
The trail is wide, paved and well maintained. There are a number of street crossings but most are small country roads. The scenery’s is beautiful. Enjoy!
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.
Great ride. After the ride, Get a burger at Slims Bar and grill. Great local burger, staff and perfect country music. 114 North Powell Street, Forest City.
I’m from Illinois and this is my first ride since moving to NC. I cannot stand and climb like I used to do to an injury so was nervous as this state is very mountainous and hilly. This trail challenged but did not kill me. A lot of road crossings but most were very clear and hardly messed with flow. Everyone polite and shared the trail. A good ride and I’ll be back.
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.
Drove from Northern Virginia to ride the Creeper Trail. Used a drop off service to get to the top and then enjoyed every mile of our 17 mile coast back to Damascus.
The most significant trail issue I had was the transition from the man bridges to the trail bed. Sometimes there is a lip of several inches that can be 3 or 4 inches of level change as you transit from path to bridge to path.
Otherwise the scenery is awesome and the downhill effort is minimal. Continuing west beyond Damascus is a gentle grade with more nice country views and worth the visit.
I rode this trail a dozen times and it was always my favorite trail. My wife and I even thought about retiring close enough that we can ride/walk the trail every day. Rode the entire trail from abingdon to White Top and back in August 2022. I haven’t ridden the trail in two years and I was a little surprised at how eroded the trail has become and it seems as almost no maintenance on the trail during that time except the underpass as you come into Damascus. Much of the cinder trail on the famed white top to Damascus section was showing its base layer. It was so unstable riding up that you could not enjoy the scenery as I remembered. Was too concerned with keeping my eye on the trail. I kept thinking how difficult this must be for young children on small bikes, kids being towed in bike carriers and for older people. This is no longer a gentle ride.
I kept thinking another two years like the last and the Virginia Creeper Trail becomes the first HOF trail to be delisted. I actually rode Jeb Stewart hwy down from white top station instead of the creepers trail.
Going to try the New River Trail just north of abingdon.
The best trail in the state Abington to Damascus is pretty flat and places to park. Damascus to white top is the real Challenge. 7 miles uphill. Most people take the ride service up and ride down (hold on for your life ) beautiful I’m the fall
It was a very nice, easy walk. Asphalt path was clean, well kept and wide following a power line right of way. Slight decline one way and incline on the way back. Not strenuous though but I did break a slight sweat. No shade at all. We walked on a cloudy afternoon 5:00 pm 83 degrees and it was nice. If it had been sunny and hotter it would not have been enjoyable at all. Some bug spray would have been good. Had some knats. Saw some bunnies and birds.
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