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Virginia Trailfinder
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Trailhead view · Damascus

Virginia Creeper Trail

Distance
34.3mi
Climb
2,223ft
Hiking time
Not on file
Difficulty
Easy

Start: 36.70901, -81.97131 open in a map app

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.

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.

Official notes

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.
Water
No potable water is available at this site; carry all water you will need.
Dogs
Dogs allowed on leash
Cell
Not on file
Emergency
Not on file
  • Bicycle traffic descending at speed
  • Icy trestle decking in winter
  • High water at creek crossings after storms
Check current alerts and closures

This view is a reference, not navigation. The line is sampled from OpenStreetMap and USGS data; carry an offline map and treat cell coverage as unreliable.