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Virginia Trailfinder

Southwest Virginia · Damascus · Running · Point to point

Virginia Creeper Trail

A 34-mile rail-trail from Whitetop to Abingdon, famous for its long gentle downhill and trestles.

Trailhead viewOfficial page
Distance
34.3mi
Climb (measured)
2,223ft
Time (hiking est.)
Your call
Difficulty
Easy
Terrain
Crushed stoneShadedRiverside

The route

Map and elevation, linked

2,223 ft up, 772 ft down · 1,709–3,581 ft

2,0002,5003,0003,5000 mi102030+1,711 ft · 1.4%+161 ft · 3.9%Start
34.09 miles measured, 2,223 ft of climbing and 772 ft of descent, between 1,709 and 3,581 ft. The hardest part is a 23.0-mile climb of 1,711 ft starting at mile 9.1, averaging 1.4%. A second climb of 161 ft begins at mile 32.16. The climbing continues after mile 32.16.34.09 miles measured, 2,223 ft of climbing and 772 ft of descent, between 1,709 and 3,581 ft. The hardest part is a 23.0-mile climb of 1,711 ft starting at mile 9.1, averaging 1.4%. A second climb of 161 ft begins at mile 32.16. The climbing continues after mile 32.16.Trailfinder reading Measured from an OpenStreetMap line and the USGS 10 m elevation model, fetched 2026-09-05. Sampled terrain, not a GPS track.

What it feels like

What it feels like

A gradual 23.0-mile climb of 1,711 ft sits in the middle of the route, with 2,223 ft of climbing overall. Crushed-stone tread that stays firm in most weather, mostly under tree cover.

Trailfinder readingFrom: main climb 23.0 mi at 1.4% average, from mile 9.1 to 32.12; surfaces on file: crushed-stone, gravel; shade listed among amenities.

Before you drive

What to know first

Official · USFS

Closures and conditions change. Check the agency's alerts page before leaving.

Start here

Damascus Trailhead

36.63370, -81.78760

Open the trailhead in a map app

Town parking near the trail junction; shuttles operate seasonally.

Parking
Whitetop Station Parking Lot and Trailhead is CLOSED, along with Green Cove Parking Lot and Facility, Creek Junction Trailhead, and Straight Branch Trailhead, under Forest Closure Order 08-08-14-26-01 (in effect since November 14, 2025; alert last updated January 7, 2026, no published end date). The Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail (FST 4575) itself is closed from Trestle 16 in the Town of Damascus to the North Carolina state line past Whitetop Station following Hurricane Helene damage and ongoing reconstruction. The Forest Service does not address parking at the Abingdon or Damascus trailheads, which lie outside this closure order. Confirm current status with Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (276-783-5196) before traveling.
Fees
Trail use is free; shuttles and bike rental are commercial services.
Permits
Not on file
Hours
Not on file
Restrooms
Restrooms at the Abingdon Trailhead (trail-log mile 33.4) and in the Damascus town park at The Caboose; restrooms at Creek Junction (mile 9.4); outdoor and flush toilets at Whitetop Station Visitor Center (mile 1.1); an outdoor toilet at Green Cove Station Visitor Center (mile 4.1). Trail-log mileages are measured from the Virginia-North Carolina state line toward Abingdon. The Creek Junction, Green Cove and Whitetop Station facilities lie within the closed Damascus-to-Whitetop section (Hurricane Helene recovery closure, in effect through Nov 30 2026) and are not currently accessible; the two visitor centers are staffed spring through fall. Only the Abingdon Trailhead and Damascus town park restrooms are on the currently open Abingdon-to-Damascus segment.
Water
No potable water is available at this site; carry all water you will need.
Dogs
Dogs allowed on leash
Cell service
Not on file
Emergency
Not on file
Source: USFSLast checked August 29, 2026Report a change

How hard it will feel

Difficulty, explained

Official · USFS

Easy

Rail grade on crushed stone; the upper section is a sustained gentle descent.

Trailfinder readingEasy

Commitment is up to you: turn around whenever you like on a long, level corridor.

Distance
+0
A 34.3 mi corridor you can join for as little or as much as you like.
Climb
+0
About 65 ft per mile: rail-grade or flatter.
Footing
+1
Natural tread: roots, mud after rain, uneven in places.
Technicality
+1
Stream crossings noted; expect wet feet after rain.
Exposure
+0
Mostly sheltered; shade is listed.

Commitment

How long it takes

Trailfinder reading

This is a corridor you join for as long as you like, so there is no honest total. Plan with a pace instead:

Hiking:
~23 min per mile
Running:
~11 min per mile
Family pace:
~40 min per mile

Terrain

Underfoot

Surface
Crushed stone, Gravel
Technicality
Nothing technical recorded
Crossings
High water at creek crossings after storms
Exposure
Not on file
Grade
Steepest quarter mile 6.3% · 3% of the route climbing at 5%+ · 71% near level Trailfinder reading

Recorded hazards

  • Bicycle traffic descending at speed
  • Icy trestle decking in winter
  • High water at creek crossings after storms

What you'll see

On the record

  • Dozens of wooden trestles
  • 17-mile gentle descent
  • Damascus trail town

Setting on file: Forest, River, Mountain.

When to go

Seasonal character

Fall foliage brings heavy shuttle traffic. Trestles ice over in winter.

Southwest VirginiaWeather at elevation runs 10-15°F colder than the valleys with frequent fog. Snow and rime ice are normal from December into March.

General seasonal character, not a live condition report. Check the agency's alerts page for closures.

Who it fits

Is this for you?

Runners
Yes, running is supported
Families
Good with kids
Strollers
Stroller friendly
Dogs
Dogs allowed on leash
Accessibility
Firm crushed-stone surface; grades are gentle but trestle decking and some trailheads may present barriers. Verify with the trail managers for specific access needs.
Experience
Beginners welcome

The long version

About this route

The Virginia Creeper Trail follows a former rail line from Whitetop Station down through Damascus to Abingdon, crossing dozens of wooden trestles above creeks and pasture.

Most visitors ride or walk the upper section downhill from Whitetop into Damascus — about 17 miles of almost continuous gentle descent. The lower half toward Abingdon is flatter and quieter, and better for running.

Damascus, where the Creeper crosses the Appalachian Trail, is one of the best-known trail towns in the eastern United States.

If not this one

Related, and why

Southwest Virginia

New River Trail

Distance
57mi
Elevation gain
1,143ft
Hiking time (estimate)
Your call
Easy
  • Crushed stone
  • Shaded
  • Riverside

Less climbing · 400 ft of gain instead of 1,600.

Provenance

Facts:
verified against the managing agency · last checked August 29, 2026.
Route line:
105 OpenStreetMap ways (ODbL), fetched 2026-09-05; elevation from USGS 3DEP 10 m, 2026-09-05. Assembled as single line.
Readings:
anything marked Trailfinder reading is derived by Trailfinder from those sources, not published by the agency.

Before you go: Trail conditions, access rules, weather, water availability, and closures can change. Check the linked official source before leaving and choose a route appropriate for your experience and current conditions.