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Tags:
Level: Easiest
Length: 17 mi (27.4 km)
Surface: Doubletrack
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: +132/ -1,195 ft
Total: 56 riders
Mountain Biking Virginia Creeper - White Top To Damascus
#65 of 300 mountain bike trails in Virginia
The jwel in the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area! From 3,525 feet, the Creeper runs down through the mountains with vistas, woods, farms, streams and trestles. This is downhill all the way. At 3.0 miles, Green Cove Station. At 6.2, the Appalachian Trail comes in from the right. At 10.6, a small community and then back into the national forest land. At 13.2, Straight Branch parking area. At 14.5, pass over a steel bridge. Keep riding through the outskirts of Damascus, crossing VA 91. Pass through town until you reach the red caboose.
First added by elvisabeth on Aug 5, 2007. Last updated Oct 12, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: yes
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From the little red caboose in Damascus, take 58 east for 18 miles to VA 726, Whitetop Gap Road. Turn right on VA 726 for 3 miles to Whitetop Station. (There are shuttle services that transport for a fee.)
Great tail trail could be super busy if a weekend with nice weather.
| ThankNo, it is not a single track mountain bike trail. But, this is a great ride to just sit back, relax, enjoy the views of cool streams and amazing bridges with trees below.
| ThankThis would be the perfect opportunity to get the family involved in biking. The VA Creeper Trail has quite the tourism industry, with bike rental outposts everywhere. If you start in Whitetop, you barely pedal until you reach Damascus, 17 miles. Once you arrive, get lunch or an ice cream. There isn't really anything else there except for more bike rental shops. If there are children or out of shape people with you, then shuttle back to the top. Or, ride back, the incline is there and noticeable but really very doable.
This is a great trail to relax and get some miles in on a weekend. It is also awesome for families, with plenty of space to pull over and get a snack or just admire the beautiful farm lands.
| ThankThis is a good trail for running. It can be crowded with hikers and bikes at times, but you will get great views and a good workout.
| ThankGreat, great ride!! Very easy yet total fun. Not to mention absolutely beautiful. I rode this many times while living in east Tennessee.
| ThankLoved the Creeper! The total trail distance one-way from Whitetop through Damascus to Abingdon is 34+ miles - as stated, the WhiteTop to Damascus leg is about half...17mi.
| ThankIf you're looking for some serious TECHNICAL mountain biking...this ain't it! But, if you want to enjoy a LONG effortless downhill peppered with awesome views of the surrounding mountains, peaceful riverside riding, amazing bridge crossings(some over 100-150ft over ravines, historical points of interest, rider friendly restaurants every several miles, and intermittent restrooms trailside - you'll find a little slice of heaven here!!
The trail surface is hard-packed and mostly lined with a finely crushed gravel which does a great job at preventing erosion and keeping the ruts out - it actually added to ride control and the overall experience, given it's consistency. There were some little berms and waterbreaks that we caught air on throughout the first 10mi or so. You can easily maintain a 15-20mph clip for long stretches of 30+ min of riding, that is if you can keep from stopping to enjoy the view.
I was even tempted to stop and just dive right in the river at a couple points.
There are safe, designated parking lots along the Creeper and shuttles from both Damascus and Abingdon to return you to the Whitetop Mountain lot for a reasonable fee(@$13/leg).
There is also a campground at Whitetop within a half-mile ride from the start of the trail. We patronized an excellent bike shop/shuttle right off the trail in Damascus called "JC's" and I'd highly recommend eating at the "WhistlePig" restaurant right next door.
This trail makes for a perfect weekend excursion for either getting some "road" distance on your mountain bike, having a quiet enjoyable weekend with your significant other(even one who may not bike much!), this trail is also great for the whole family or group outing - our group totalled about 40 camping/riding and it was a blast!!
I'd suggest bringing a CamelBak with some extra capacity or a daypack, that way you can manage to bring a towel, some swim gear in case you partake in the river, camera is a must, sunglasses, SPF lotion, and a poncho or rain jacket(as you may get a pop-up shower given the riding distance in the summer). You can also use the extra capacity to buy 'Creeper' shirts and other tasteful, not touristy stuff along the way.
* Review edited 6/14/2010
Built for beginners. Going over the bridge is neat
| ThankVery easy but very nice view. Posted a few pictures from the trip. Lots of wooden bridges to cross. We stayed at a B&B 1/2 way down and one day had a local bike shop take us to one end and rode back to the B&B Next day the bike shop took us to the other end and rode back. Not hard at all but make sure you bring the camera as there are lots of places for very nice pictures.
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