Virginia creeper trail guide virginia is for lovers. Virginia creeper trail damascus to whitetop mountain bike. Virginia creeper national recreation trail virginia. The line charted a complicated course through the mountains of the area, crossing the blue ridge not far from mount rogers history. The virginia creeper trail is a 35mile 56 km multipurpose rail trail, located in the mount. Information on the full book, outlining historical figures, events, and interesting facts about damascus, written by bunny medeiros, can be found at the following link. Library of congress, north carolina rand mcnally and company, 1905 abingdon investors tried to build a railroad east into the mountain of north carolina, starting with the abingdon coal and iron railroad in 1885. T he virginia creeper trail is a 34 mile multipleuse trail rail trail in southwest virginia swva.
And for history that is straight from the books, visit civil war battlefields like cedar mountain, kellys ford and brandy station. This work provides an explicit, though brief, history of the section of rail from abingdon, virginia to the north carolina state line, which has become the virginia creeper railtrail. The objectives and organization of the thesis conclude the chapter. Nature and history along southwest virginias national.
Mingea constructed the virginia carolina railroad from abingdon to damascus. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. The section includes a brief history of the area where the trail is located and the trail itself. The virginia creeper trail visit damascus, virginia biking. The creeper is and old railroad grade converted to a multiuse trail.
The virginia creeper trail is a 35mile 56 km multipurpose rail trail, located in the mount rogers national recreation area of southwestern virginia. Appalachian trail and creeper trail virginia trail guide. The virginia creeper trail companion is a guidebook which will enable the user to understand the trails origin as an important railroad and the. Books that provide a large and indepth overview of the history of the. Virginia trail guide sharing the trails of virginia and. More than a quarter million visitors ride the trail annually, giving steady business to bike outfitters, restaurants, hotels, and so on. Welcome to the virginia creeper trail a national railto. 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.
The virginia creeper trail stretches 34 miles from abingdon, va through damascus, va to the nc stateline near whitetop, va. Although the virginia creeper train sounded its last whistle in 1977, the 34mile segment of the virginia creeper trail near the mountainous north carolinavirginia border sees as much, or more, traffic today. On monday, april 6, the access points of the virginia creeper trail were temporarily closed in response to the covid19 outbreak. Bike the virginia creeper trail, with interpretive stops along the way. Jul 16, 2019 after lunch, we had a tiny bit more uphill climbing before the trail switchbacked downhill for 1. Each year the trail is visited by more than 25,000 bicyclers, hikers, horseback riders, fishermen, birdwatchers, railroad buffs, and folks just out for a sunday stroll. The virginia creeper trail inducted into the rails to trails hall of fame in 2015, the virginia creeper trail is one of the countrys most famous biking trails. The virginia creeper trail is a 34mile bike path that follows the abingdon branch of the old norfolk and western railway. Visit us april through november for trail maps, area information, virginia creeper trail merchandise, and historical photographs and information.
Known as trail town usa, damascus is at the crossroads to numerous national, regional, and local trails. 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. Ride the beautiful blue ridge highlands of virginia on expertled bicycle rides to experience rich history and its variety of nature. Virginia creeper trail shuttle service adventure damascus. Virginia creeper trail guide to virginias mountain biking. The virginia creeper national recreation trail is a 34. This 17mile section of the trail runs from damascus, va to whitetop station. Creeper trail adventures in swva the virginia creeper trail. When jerry and gary camper started the virginia creeper trail bike shop 12 years ago just yards from the abingdon trailhead, their goal was to sell bikes and shuttle riders up whitetop mountain. Virginia creeper trail history whitetop va, damascus va. This nonprofit website has been created by local residents who live in or near damascus, virginia, and by others from around the country who love this 34mile converted railtrail.
Virginia creeper national recreational trail is a 33. Nature and history along southwest virginias national recreation trail. So visit one of our virginia creeper trail bike shops, take a bite at some of the local restaurants, and spend the night in one of our comfy beds. According to early records, daniel boone camped along the trail near damascus as he traveled on his way to kentucky. This decision was made at the local level by the trail owners. Construction of the railroad was begun in 1887 by the. 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. Virginias finest railtrail, the virginia creeper national recreation trail occupies the bed of what was once a rugged. Kayaking on the holston river and biking the virginia. Virginia creeper national recreation trail itinerary.
Creeper trail adventures in swva the virginia creeper. While they were at it, they figured theyd keep a small fleet of rentals on hand. Virginia trail guide sharing the trails of virginia and beyond. One of the two outandback segments on the trail is repeated, as is a short portion of the other segment. The virginia creeper national recreation trail offers scenic wonders from dense forests, open fields and lush waterways to railroad relics and delightful small towns. 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. Crossing the commonwealth and millions of other books are. A 34milelong trail beginning in abingdon, va and ending at whitetop mountain, near nc. Beginning as a native american footpath, it later served early explorers and trappers such as daniel boone and wilburn waters, and settlers crossing the mountains in search of new land to inhabit. Click here to see the destruction of trestle 7 and its rebuilding. Virginia birding and wildlife trail, round the mountain. The virginia creeper trail is rich in beauty and regional history. This is an easy biking adventure that you, your friends, and family will talk about for a long time.
Virginia creeper trail damascus to whitetop mountain. This is actually two maps one showing the east side of the trail from whitetop station to damascus and the other running from abingdon to damascus. Between 1800 and 2000 cyclists arrived at alvarado station, the first around 7. The creeper trail club was invited to participate in this event as a way to highlight the creeper trail for the participants who are making the fiveday bike tour of southwest virginias crooked road. The railroad began in abingdon, virginia as the abingdon coal and iron railroad company. Virginia creeper national recreation trail spans 32. Start at one of the creeper trails bike shops in damascus for a bike rental and shuttle services to the top and take a. Virginia creeper trail information for your family vacation to beautiful abingdon and damascus virginia, from creeper trail shuttle and rental, creeper trail lodging, camping, maps. Youll find the official map of the virginia creeper trail club, which is considered the most accurate of all trail maps for the 34milelong virginia creeper trail. Virginia creeper national recreation trail itinerary traillink. The virginiacarolina railway was an interstate railroad in southwestern virginia and northwestern north carolina. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The railroad, though rather shortlived, transformed the small, rural frontier of southwest virginia into a bustling economic center for raw materials. Abingdon coal and iron railroads evolution to the virginia.
Read an article from the 1965 washington county news on riding the creeper mike smiths photo essay from a ride in 1977 history of the. The history of the vct is as long and twisty as a railroad itself. The virginia creeper trail companion is a guidebook which will enable the user to understand the trail s origin as an important railroad and the natural world one encounters along this scenic route. Paddle sitontop kayaks down the north fork of the holston river with an experienced outfitter and stop along the rivers banks to learn about appalachian valley history and ecology. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Dec 22, 2015 after the vct virginia creeper trail was officially established as a railstotrails system in 1984, its new life was just beginning. It is in this storyline that the virginia creeper trail vct was born. Attend a performance at the worldfamous barter theater, the state theater of virginia. Virginia creeper trail information for your family vacation to beautiful abingdon and damascus virginia, from creeper trail shuttle and rental, creeper trail lodging, camping, maps, shopping, outfitters and restaurants. The virginia creeper trail is considered to be the best rail trail in the east. Mingea constructed the virginiacarolina railroad from abingdon to damascus. It ran from abingdon in washington county, virginia to todd in ashe county, north carolina. Join author joe tennis as he explores restored train stations, discovers a railroads lost island graveyard and crosses the commonwealth on its idyllic. This guidebook will enable the user to understand the trails origin as an important railroad and the.
The creation of the virginia creeper trail al bradley. After the vct virginia creeper trail was officially established as a railstotrails system in 1984, its new life was just beginning. Read an article from the 1965 washington county news on riding the creeper mike smiths photo essay from a ride in 1977 history of the virginia branch known locally as the virginia creeper. The friendliest town on the trail is a book written by former. High quality virginia creeper trail gifts and merchandise. Virginia creeper trail damascus 2020 all you need to know. This nonprofit website has been created by local residents who live in or near damascus, virginia, and by others from around the country who love this 34mile converted rail trail. Virginia creeper trail guide history of the virginia. Riders stop at one of the high trestles on the virginia creeper trail. The trail is a steady climb the entire way, gaining 1600 feet in elevation. The virginia creeper trail is the retired corridor of the virginia carolina railroad. Kayaking on the holston river and biking the virginia creeper. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The virginia creeper trail is a 34mile 56 km multipurpose rail trail in southwestern virginia.
Each year the trail is visited by more than 25,000 bicyclers, hikers, horseback riders, fishermen, birdwatchers, railroad buffs, and folks just out for. Start at one of the creeper trails bike shops in damascus for a bike rental and shuttle services to the top and take a leisurely ride downhill 17 miles to town. The creeper stretches 34 miles from whitetop mountain down to abingdon, va, passing straight through downtown damascus along the way. Appalachian trail and the virginia creeper trail, and the book pays tribute to. Virginia creeper national recreation trail virginia trails. The virginia creeper trail is considered to be the best railtrail in the east. If the virginia creeper trail could speak, it would surely have some tales to tell. After lunch, we had a tiny bit more uphill climbing before the trail switchbacked downhill for 1. Virginia creeper trail news newspapers books scholar jstor july 2012 learn how and when to remove this template message. The trail is flat to gentle grade, with a soft running surface plus the occasional wooden trestle. Runners pass the startfinish area at 2, 9, 18 and 25 miles.
As a precaution to help limit the spread of covid19, the local managing authority has temporarily closed this trail. The 34milelong virginia creeper trailer, which runs from abingdon, virginia, to the north carolina line near whitetop mountain, is the most poplar trail in virginia. To write about the history of the virginia creeper trail requires more space than i can offer at this time, so i will try to be brief. Abingdon coal and iron railroads evolution to the virginia creeper. History of the virginia branch known locally as the virginia creeper. This is an easy biking adventure that you and your friends and family will talk about for a long time. For example, the virginia creeper railtrail linking whitetop, damascus and abingdon. The bike virginia tour made its way to the virginia creeper trail today and the virginia creeper trail club was ready. The trail runs from the abingdon through damascus to whitetop, va, near the north carolina state line through national forest and crosses numerous trestles. Nov 24, 2018 the virginia carolina railroad did not go past damascus to whitetop in 1905 source. Were expecting between 1800 and 2000 bikers to visit alvarado for a rest stop along the virginia creeper trail as part of the bike virginia event.
Damascus is the most popular point to enter the virginia creeper trail. Complete information resource for bike rentals, bike shuttle, for the virginia creeper trail. Later the european pioneers, as well as early explorer daniel boone, used the trail. The virginia creeper trail welcome center is located at mile marker zero, in downtown abingdon, va. Virginia creeper national recreation trail virginia trails traillink. Virginia creeper trail damascus 2020 all you need to. Before the biking trails and train rails were laid, indians followed animal trails out of the blue ridge through the area to create a footpath westward. Stepping in to fill that void, the railstotrails conservancy was formed in 1986 and began to convert old railroad tracks into multiuse paths. Remembering the virginiacarolina railway is a history of the virginia creeper train, whose route, in its heyday, ran from abingdon, virginia, to elkland presentday todd, north carolina, a distance of 76. Its most heavily used by bikers, but also by equestrians, hikers, runners, and even the occasional dogsledder in the. The line charted a complicated course through the mountains of the area, crossing the blue ridge not far from mount rogers.
1551 1177 238 1241 68 81 1116 860 1276 1281 968 1002 262 1225 999 1191 103 910 48 508 747 1064 129 862 403 1042 97 670 160 33 116 400 251 27 704 1551 1204 1336 514 112 773 67 371 131 128 342