About the Virginia Creeper trail

 Thursday September 18 2025

Note: This post is technical trail details. My personal experience in the next post.

Millie and I have ridden the Virginia Creeper Trail from White Top Mountain down to Damascus 6 times. What fun it was to make that 17-mile downhill run through the old growth forest and across 20 bridges over large creeks cascading down rocky ravines.

17 miles to Damascus and then 17 more to Abingdon.


 Originally a train track for the lumber industry, it has been enjoyed by thousands as a Rail to Trail. Unfortunately, it was completely destroyed in Hurricane Helene and although it’s rebuilding is planned, I fear it will never be the same, we’ll see.

Extensive damage to the downhill section of the trail.


The sister to the Upper trail is a continuation of the Rail to Trail from Damascus to the city of Abingdon. This section is also 17 miles and somewhat different than White Top to Damascus. A good portion of it is forested and like the upper VCT it follows running water, in this case the Holston River. It passes through some open farm land, which is still very scenic. Closer to Abingdon homes start to appear close to the trail, so far it is all very upscale homes on acreage so it’s pleasing to the eye.

Bridge #1 at the Abingdon entrance to the trail


The big geographic difference between the two halves is the inclination. The Upper is 17 miles, almost all of it downhill from 3595 feet elevation at White Top Station to 1920 feet in Damascus, a drop of 1675 feet. The tamer section to Abingdon is half downhill and half up. 

Over the Holston River


Using the old Alvarado train station as the midpoint of the trail and the low point (1750 feet), approximately 7 miles in either direction to Abingdon or Damascus. To Damascus requires an elevation climb of 170 feet spread over the 7 miles, you will hardly notice it. From the midpoint to Abingdon is an elevation gain of 270 feet. You will know you are going uphill, but its not difficult and you can always drop to lower gears as needed. 

One of the wooded sections, river below left.


If you are just going one way My recommendation is to start in Abingdon and travel to Damascus, it is much easier. If you are doing an out and back, start in Damascus. You will be fresh when doing the uphill to Abingdon and on the return, you get to enjoy it going downhill before finishing with the lesser climb into Damascus.

There are many bridges like this along the trail.





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