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The Virginia Creeper Trail
 The
Virginia Creeper Trail is a hugely popular
biking rail trail that follows the pathway of a
former railroad, operational in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries. The History of Rail Road
Virginia Creeper begins in the 1880’s when the
Virginia Creeper
was created for the Abingdon Coal and Iron
Railroad Company, however the company went
bankrupt and never
operated a train on the line. A decade later the Virginia Western
Coal & Iron Railroad Company bought the railway.
It too had major troubles and its assets
were bought by the Virginia-Carolina Railroad
Company. The Virginia-Carolina Railroad Company operated
out of Damascus Virginia, and by the mid 1920’s
the company had extended the railroad to Whitetop Virginia and Todd North Carolina (then
called Elkland). The steam engine trains
operated until 1956 when the last steam engine
was retired; diesel powered engines replaced the
steam engines and continued operating until 1974
after the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission)
suspended operations of the Norfolk and Western
Railroad Company on the railroad. In 1977, the
Virginia Creeper Rail Road and lands surrounding
it were bought by
the US Forest Service and plans began for a
recreational trail along the existing track. The
old railroad track was pulled up, and an
exceptional biking and hiking rail trail was
created.
Today, residents and visitors to the Blue Ridge
Mountains enjoy this 35 mile trail that extends
from Abingdon Virginia to Damascus and all the way
to the NC State Line near Whitetop Virginia. The
Virginia Creeper Trail is open for not only
mountain biking and hiking but horseback riding
as well, making it the perfect road for all to
enjoy. The elevation of the Virginia Creeper
Bike Trail drops dramatically, falling 300 feet near
Alvarado and the South Holston River before
climbing nearly 2000 feet on its way to Whitetop.
The mountain scenery enjoyed by hikers and
bikers is truly unbelievable and many sites
along the way are more than picture perfect. A
particular location of interest along the way is
in Abingdon Virginia, where a rare 4-8-0 steam
engine marks the trailhead and welcomes bikers
and hikers.
Our Cabin Rentals in East
Tennessee are in
Bristol Tennessee, an area very close
to Abingdon Virginia and the much-admired Virginia
Creeper Biking and Hiking Trail. Come and stay
with us at our cabins or
Bristol Campground and enjoy
a one-of-a-kind East Tennessee
Vacation near some of the best
hiking, biking, and outdoor activities in the
region. |
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If you would like more information, please contact us at 800-359-4049,
e-mail us, or use our
online request form.
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