Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail

Official notes

Parking

Parking is available at both trailheads. East trailhead, 215 Afton Depot Lane, Afton VA 22920: 56 parking spaces, no bus parking. West trailhead, 483 Three Notched Mountain Hwy, Waynesboro VA 22980: 20 parking spaces, buses may park here. The county describes the trailhead parking areas as small and limited and states that when the parking areas are full, the trail is considered full. Park only in designated spaces and never along roadways. There is no overnight parking, RV parking, or camping at either trailhead. The roadway and the land leading to the trailhead are privately owned and visitors should obey all parking signage. Driving directions per the county trailhead map: east trailhead — from I-64 take Afton Exit 99, right onto 250 East, after 1.5 miles a sharp right onto VA-6 East, go 0.5 mile and turn right onto Afton Depot Lane. West trailhead — from I-64 take Afton Exit 99, left onto 250 West toward Waynesboro; the trail entrance will be on your left.

Water

There are no water fountains on the trail; bring your own drinking water and fill your bottle before arrival. Nelson County explicitly warns visitors not to drink any water coming from the mountainside along the trail or from the rocks inside the tunnel.

Dogs

Dogs allowed on leash

Cell

Not on file

Emergency

Not on file

• The tunnel is not lit for its full 4,273 feet and is very dark; Nelson County requires visitors to bring their own flashlight or headlamp and strongly recommends a high-powered one
• Ground surface inside the tunnel is inconsistent; the county asks visitors to be cautious when walking through
• Water drips continuously from the ceiling and walls, and the surface inside the tunnel may be uneven due to ruts and puddles caused by that constant drip
• Tunnel interior holds 55-65 degrees F year round; the county advises appropriate clothing and sturdy, comfortable shoes
• The west approach is steep: 6.5 percent average grade, 19 percent maximum, grades from -17 to +19 percent over lengths of 150 feet or more, and over 5 percent for a majority of that section; the county warns the steep grade may limit access to people with limited mobility
• A concrete mat stream crossing on the west side may have water flowing over it during or shortly after rainstorms; the county advises caution in wet conditions
• County rule: do not touch the walls inside the tunnel
• County rule: do not drink any water coming from the mountainside along the trail or from the rocks inside the tunnel
• County rule: stay off the rocks along the trails
• No water fountains anywhere on the trail; fill water bottles before arrival
• Trailhead parking is small and limited; when the parking areas are full the county considers the trail full, and the roadway and land leading to the trailhead are privately owned