One of the two outandback segments on the trail is repeated, as is a short portion of the other segment. An analysis of net economic benefits and economic impacts of trips by joshua k. Trail map of the virginia creeper national recreation trail from green spring road abingdon to whitetop station whitetop. A few years back, when some friends invited us to join them on a bike ride on the virginia creeper trail, i was, you could say, a little apprehensive. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. The virginia creeper trail is a 34mile railtrail running between abingdon and whitetop, virginia. Jan 3, 2017 from abingdon to whitetop mountain, va this is a 34 mile trail that everyone from ages 9 to 90 can enjoy. Have ridden it in april and july and october and while the scenery is always spectacular the business of the trail can be quite different. It has been described as the best mountain bike trail in the. How far is the ride from whitetop down to damascus. The graph at the bottom shows the change in elevation from abingdon to whitetop.
The virginia creeper trail is a 35mile 56 km multipurpose rail trail, located in the mount rogers national recreation area of southwestern virginia. Directly on the virginia creeper trail alvarado station. The trail is flat to gentle grade, with a soft running surface plus the occasional wooden trestle. Virginia creeper trail dog friendly trailsdog friendly. Runners pass the startfinish area at 2, 9, 18 and 25 miles. Creeper trail bike rental and shuttles adventure damascus. Above is the rail layout for the abingdon branch as it existed at its high point. Whether you want to ride the now famous 17 mile downhill ride from whitetop station to our front door or continue the ride to historic abingdon, we can arrange a trip to suit your needs. Find virginia creeper trail in abingdon with address, phone number from yahoo us local. Later the european pioneers, as well as early explorer daniel boone, used the trail. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The official virginia creeper trail map is printed by the virginia creeper trail club. High quality virginia creeper trail gifts and merchandise. The map is also available at bike shops in damascus.
One side details the abingdon to damascus section and the reverse side maps out the trail corridor from damascus to whitetop. With picturesque scenery always at hand, the virginia creeper trail takes you through some of the most rugged country and across some of the most beautiful mountain streams in the eastern united states. Yes, there is a caferestaurant about every 8 miles on the trail. At the virginia creepers westernmost terminus, a small park holds an original steam locomotive and coal car. Very scenic and well maintained rail to trail we rode the virginia creeper from damascus to white top and back in frigid temps in january 2020. This trail runs from whitetop, virginia, near the north carolina state line through national forest and crossing numerous restored trestles and crossing the appalachian trail at several trail junctions through damascus, va trail town usa and onto its end point in abingdon, va. The trail runs from abingdon to whitetop, virginia, near the north carolina state line through national forest and crossing numerous restored trestles and crossing the appalachian trail the trail descends from abingdon to damascus. Fred leonard owns the damascus old mill inn, a 12room bed and breakfast with a fullservice restaurant located just a. The virginia creeper trail is a multipurpose rail trail. Heart of the virginia creeper trail longdistance hikers coined the term trail magic to describe an unexpected occurrence that lifts a hikers spirits and inspires awe or gratitude. Virginia creeper trail, between damascas and abingdon, va.
As a precaution to help limit the spread of covid19, the local managing authority has temporarily closed this trail. The trail is very kidfriendly, making this a great family outing. The virginia creeper trail stretches 34 miles from abingdon, va through damascus, va to the nc stateline near whitetop, va. See more ideas about virginia creeper, virginia and trail. Virginia creeper national recreation trail map green. We are the premier bike rental and bike shuttle service for the virginia creeper trail. The topo map above illustrates the terrain for the creeper trail. This customdesigned map shows you everything you need to know about the virginia creeper trail from whitetop to the bike station.
The blue ridge mountains lie to the east, and the ridge and valley province of virginia extends to the west. The virginia creeper trail bike rental and shuttle service. Virginia creeper trail in abingdon virginia creeper. Virginia creeper national recreational trail is a 33. Virginia creeper national recreation trail virginia trails traillink. Virginia creeper trail damascus to whitetop mountain. A 34milelong trail beginning in abingdon, va and ending at whitetop mountain, near nc. At nearly 3,600 feet, its the high point of the virginia creeper national recreation trail and is thought to be the genesis of the virginia creeper nickname for the railroad, because the trains had to. Traveling nearly 35 miles through forest and farmland, the virginia creeper trail began as a railway that connected virginia to the carolinas. The mountain merz is referring to is whitetop, part of the blue ridge range in southwestern virginia. In the 1970s, the track was removed, and the path was prepared as a recreational trail for hikers.
Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. A large world map behind the register, swathed in a rainbow of pushpins, reminds guests that the trail has become a destination for trail enthusiasts from the world over. Virginia creeper national recreational trail virginia. Virginia creeper trail damascus 2020 all you need to. The virginia creeper trail can be ridden all in one day, but its really best to make a weekend of it so you can leisurely explore the trail and the area. Virginia creeper national recreation trail virginia. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. All 34 mile markers are indicated along with each of the 47 trestle bridges. The virginia creeper trail vct is an excellent railstotrails conversion features forested path with 47 wooden trestles and bridges over creeks and rivers. The trail can get pretty crowded during busy summer weekends and, while most folks are just out to enjoy themselves, a few simple rules have. Welcome to the virginia creeper trail a national railto. The virginia creeper trail is a dirtcinder rail trail which runs from abingdon, va to whitetop, va. The vctc website provides car gps addresses for the trail access points. A thesis submitted to the graduate faculty of the university of georgia in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of masters of science athens, georgia 2004.
It owes its popularity to outstanding scenery, encompassing two geographic regions of virginia. Virginia creeper national recreation trail spans 32. The virginia creeper national recreation trail is a 34. This 17mile section of the trail runs from damascus, va to whitetop station. Virginia creeper can also be propagated from hardwood cuttings or layering. Virginia creeper trail virginia creeper trail, between. The creeper ride is always fantastic and i a must do if you are in the area. The small dropdown arrow to the right of the base map heading will let you change the map to terrain or satellite view. Creeper trail campground is conveniently located at the head of one of virginias most scenic hike and bike trails. The 10 best things to do near virginia creeper trail, damascus. The virginia creeper trail is the retired corridor of the virginia carolina railroad. Convenient to the virginia creeper trail and the appalachian trail. Youll be supporting a great organization and a great trail. T he virginia creeper trail is a 34milelong former railroad bed that has become a multipurpose trail stretching from the mountains to the valleys.
Virginia creeper trail welcome center abingdon trailhead 300 green spring road, abingdon, va 24210. Virginia creeper trail bike rental and shuttle faqs. The virginia creeper trail was named after the steam engine that once creeped up the mountain. Establishment seeds should be drilled 38 inches deep in the fall or, preferably, in the spring after stratification. The virginia creeper bike trail map the bike station. The virginia creeper trail is a great place to plan a trip for family fun or a group outing. The virginia creeper trail is somewhat an oddity in the railsto trails movement because it has a noticeable grade. Our room was comfortable and clean, the house is located right off the creeper trail, and breakfast at the damascus diner was delicious. The trail follows a slight downhill pitch from abingdon elevation 2040 feet at the northern terminus to south holston lake 1750 feet at mile 8, where it gently ascends to damascus 1930 feet at the midpoint. There are special rates for kids 12 and under, military, groups of 12 or more must pay as a group to receive discount, and middle of the week discounts are available. Sftc king and queen race come run on the beautiful creeper trail. Virginia creeper 10 miler virginia creeper trail, abingdon, va 592020. Virginia creeper trail questions, answers shuttle shack. From photos in the last steam railroad in america it doesnt appear to be the 1950s depot.
The virginia creeper national recreation trail offers scenic wonders from dense forests, open fields and lush waterways to railroad relics and delightful small towns. You can open the map up to full screen by clicking the small box on the black bar in the upper right corner of the map. The virginia creeper is a shareduse trail mountain biking, hiking, equine connecting abingdon, virginia, with the virginianorth carolina border 1. For a current distribution map, please consult the plant profile page for this species on the plants website. The trail is a steady climb the entire way, gaining 1600 feet in elevation. Some have found trail magic while passing through the town of damascus. Internet, air conditioning, tv, parking, no smoking, heater bedrooms. Bicycling in virginia the virginia creeper trail virginia is for lovers. Virginia creeper national recreation trail hiking trail. The bike station is located in beautiful, southwest virginia, in the town of damascus. Virginia creeper trail damascus all you need to know. Points of interest along the virginia creeper trail from white top station to the bike station in damascus. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and. Virginia creeper trail history whitetop va, damascus va.
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