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Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Ride

Ride the old mountain railway grade downhill from Whitetop Station through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, past Green Cove Station, the High Trestle and Taylors Valley, to the town of Damascus. It is the upper half of the 55 km (34.3 mile) trail between Whitetop and Abingdon.

For The Reps · Updated

bike ride scenery for Virginia Creeper Trail near Virginia
Photo: Darapsa myron (Virginia Creeper Sphinx) by Kristof Zyskowski & Yulia Bereshpolova, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Virginia, USA
Distance
About 27 km (17 miles) one way
Climb
Mostly downhill: about 495 m (1,624 ft) of descent from Whitetop Station (1,090 m / 3,576 ft) to Damascus (595 m / 1,952 ft)
Time
2.5-3 hours, depending on stops

Check before you go: The Whitetop to Damascus section has been closed since Hurricane Helene, and the Forest Service plans to reopen it on 31 March 2027. The Abingdon to Damascus section is open. (as of September 30, 2026)

The route

Whitetop Station to Damascus (upper Virginia Creeper Trail, downhill).

Most riders park in Damascus and take an outfitter's shuttle, usually with a rental bike, up to Whitetop Station. Adventure Damascus, for example, runs shuttles on the hour from 9 am to 2 pm; the Forest Service lists several rental and shuttle companies in Damascus and one in Abingdon.

When to go

Closed until 31 March 2027: Hurricane Helene destroyed this section in September 2024 and the Forest Service is rebuilding it. When it is open, the visitor centres at Whitetop Station and Green Cove are staffed from spring to autumn.

Permits and fees

No fee or permit for riders. Commercial shuttle operators must hold a Forest Service special use permit.

Before you go

  • Until the upper trail reopens, ride the open Abingdon to Damascus section instead: about 25 km (15.5 miles), crossing the South Holston Lake trestle, the trail's lowest point. Shuttles run on it.
  • Bring your own water: the Forest Service says there is no drinking water on the trail. Green Cove Station sells drinks and snacks when staffed.
  • The trail is for non-motorised use only and gets crowded on busy summer weekends, so start early.

What to bring

  • Helmet
  • Spare tube, tyre levers and a pump
  • Water and snacks
  • Front and rear lights
  • A layer for descents and stops

Getting ready for it

Time in the saddle matters more than speed.

If you have not ridden for a while, do two or three rides of an hour or two first so your legs and your seat are used to it.

Staying safe

  • Do not enter the closed section: a Forest Service closure order covers the trail from Trestle 16 in Damascus to the North Carolina line, plus the Whitetop Station, Green Cove, Creek Junction and Straight Branch trailheads.
  • Speed builds quickly on the upper grade, which reaches nearly 7 percent in places, and the trail is shared with walkers.
  • Wear bright clothing and use lights wherever there is traffic.
  • Check your brakes and tyres before you leave.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against fs.usda.gov, fs.usda.gov, fs.usda.gov, cardinalnews.org and adventuredamascus.com. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.