Looking for a great way to spend quality time with your kids, away from electronics, surrounded by beautiful scenery, and getting exercise too? Look no further than the Virginia Creeper Trail!
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 35-mile multi-purpose trail that runs from Abingdon to Whitetop, VA just north of the North Carolina state line. A former railroad route that extended to Elkland, NC (now Todd), the trail descends from Abingdon to Damascus, traversing rolling farm countryside and numerous parcels of private property, before ascending to Whitetop, following Laurel Creek through the Mount Rogers National Recreation area. The route is popular with hikers, cyclists and equestrians and is open year-round.
The lovely town of Damascus, VA, sits at the half-way point of the Virginia Creeper Trail and is a mere 2 hour drive from the Hickory area. Here, a number of services are available, including bike rental shops and shuttle operators to transport riders and their bikes to the trailhead at Whitetop for a leisurely 17 mile descent into town. Numerous dining and lodging options are also available in Damascus, making the Virginia Creeper a fantastic destination for a day trip or overnight getaway.
During our recent visit, my family took full advantage of the opportunity to unplug and recharge at the Virginia Creeper. We were treated to a ride to Whitetop by the crew at Shuttle Shack, who provided along the way lots of great information on the sights and activities in the area. The ride down was so scenic and relaxing, requiring little to no pedaling for the first 6 miles and not much more thereafter. The trail is covered by a canopy of trees most of the way, so even in the 90 degree heat, we were very comfortable. We stopped along the way to play in the creek at one of the many access points available and took time to view the cascades and small waterfalls, as well as the flowers lining the path. Once in Damascus, we stopped in at the local favorite In the Country Café and were treated to ice cream at their Off the Beaten Path Ice Cream Shoppe. We opted to spend the night at one of the numerous creek-side campsites available along the Virginia Creeper. Most are accessible by bike or foot only though there are a few roadside ones or more distant ones in nearby campgrounds. We capped off the night with a mesmerizing campfire before settling in for the night to repeat the ride the next day.
The Virginia Creeper Trail is listed in the top 12 trails in the nation for autumn foliage, but it's a great ride any time of the year. With no traffic to contend with, a gradual downhill grade and an even road surface, children as young as 5 or 6 should be able to handle the trail, depending on their skill level, for a ride the whole family will enjoy.
Learn more at http://www.vacreepertrail.us/ and plan to visit soon!
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