The Virginia Creeper Trail: A Beginner’s Guide

I am not a cyclist. I repeat: I. Am. Not A. Cyclist. The last time I was even on a bicycle was during the early days of the pandemic, when I thought I would become a bike person the way some people started baking all of their bread from scratch. It didn’t stick (me and the bike thing, I mean – cheers to the bread people who are still kneading away). Yet when we decided to vacation in Damascus, VA, I felt like I simply had to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail. After all, people come from all over the world to cycle down this famous path, and here we were about to stay in an Airbnb that sits 20 feet away from it. So…I did it! And believe, me if I can do it – and enjoy it! – then just about any other person in good health can do it, too. This includes my non-cyclist 12-year-old, who biked the trail with me. Continue reading for more information about the trail, as well as tips for how to tackle it as a complete beginner.

What is the Virginia Creeper Trail?

The trail was originally a railroad that extended from Southwestern Virginia into Northwestern North Carolina. Its current name has a double meaning – the Virginia Creeper is a native plant that grows in the area, and locals began referring to the train engine as the Virginia Creeper because it had to slowly creep its way up Whitetop Mountain (Virginia’s second-tallest peak) on its way to the North Carolina border – a real-life “I think I can” situation. The railroad was in use until 1977, after which a movement began to convert the abandoned tracks into a recreational trail. Following much discussion and planning, the Virginia Creeper Trail opened in the 1980’s on the Virginia portion of the old railroad line (the North Carolina portion is on private land and has not been designated for recreational use). If you’d like more historical information, this website offers an in-depth look at the trail’s history.

Trail Popularity

As I mentioned previously, people from all parts of the country and the world travel to Damascus for the opportunity to bike down the Virginia Creeper Trail. In fact, the trail receives more than 150,000 annual visitors – far surpassing Damascus’s population of 800 people. Though some people come to bike the entire 34.3-mile trail from Whitetop Station all the way to Abingdon, the vast majority of visitors choose to bike only the first half of the trail. This popular, 17-mile stretch runs from Whitetop to Damascus and is pretty much entirely downhill. Cyclists enjoy abundant shade, a very gentle grade that requires far more coasting than pedaling, and lovely views of Laurel Creek as it winds through the forest. In other words, minimal effort still earns you a monumental experience.

Shuttle and Rental Companies

If you’re wondering how on earth you’re going to get a bike to the top of a mountain (or how on earth you’re going to get a bike, period), don’t worry; Damascus has you covered. This wonderful little village may not have a single traffic light, but it is home to eight bike rental and shuttle companies. Any of these companies will rent you a bike, and then they’ll load said bike onto a trailer attached to the back of a van. Simply hop into the van and away you’ll go up to Whitetop. Once you’ve cycled back to town, head directly to the company you rented from and drop off your bicycle. It’s that easy. Note that you are also welcome to bring your own bike if you have one, and the company will shuttle it and you for a reduced fee.

Trail Tips

Now that you know a little about the trail and how to get there, here are 17 tips (one for each mile I biked!) to help your beginner ride go as smoothly as possible:

1. Make your reservation in advance – Though walk-ins are a possibility, an advanced shuttle/bike reservation increases the likelihood you get the time slot you want and the equipment that you and your party need.

2. Consider booking one of the earliest time slots of the day – the earlier you go, the fewer people will be on the trail, meaning you can get your bearings on your bike without as many cyclists zooming past you.

3. Figure out your gear – Helmets are optional but strongly encouraged on the Virginia Creeper Trail. We brought our own, though several shuttle companies have them available to rent. In terms of clothing, I was concerned about being sore after sitting on a bike seat for 17 miles, so I bought my daughter and I these padded bike shorts, and we had zero seat issues (Note: I sized up on the shorts, which was the right call). You’ll want a full bottle of water and at least one snack, too. Don’t worry, there are bathrooms along the trail!

4. Embrace the mud – The trail may be a bit muddy, especially after a rainfall. We did our best to avoid puddles on our ride, but we still managed return to our Airbnb with mud-splattered legs, socks, and shoes. I’m glad we were both wearing clothes that we didn’t mind getting dirty.

5. Arrive early to try out your rental bike – Bicycle Junction suggested we arrive 30 minutes prior to departure so we could get fitted for a bike and practice in the parking lot. Being able to ride a few warmup loops on my rental cruiser really boosted my confidence.

6. Be open to different options based on your cycling abilities – My daughter, while excited to try out the Creeper Trail, was nervous about being on a bike for the first time in a long while, and she struggled to get her bearings on a cruiser. She was offered a three wheeler instead, which made her so much happier. I was grateful that Bicycle Junction had a variety of options available (they also have mountain bikes, tag-alongs, and several types of trailers that can accommodate differently abled adults, as well as small children or even pets, depending on the model).

7. Know that the road up to Whitetop is long and windy – It takes about 35-40 minutes to get up to Whitetop Station from downtown Damascus, and there are significant twists and turns along the way. We felt fine, but if you’re very prone to carsickness, you may want to take a little ginger beforehand. I did, just in case.

8. Your driver is a great resource – Our driver, Tommy, was born and raised in Damascus, and he kindly let me pepper him with questions during the drive. He pointed out the Christmas tree farms that serve as a major industry for the area. He also shared that to live on the mountain, you need “a wood stove, a gas generator, and four-wheel drive… and you should be nice to your neighbors, because at some point you’re going to need something” (that last part is good advice no matter where you live, but even more so on an isolated mountainside miles from town).

9. Remember to bring a tip for your driver – Shuttle drivers spend their entire work day hauling people and bikes up that mountain, and then returning for the next vanload. Tips are not required, but they are certainly a nice token of appreciation for an incredibly convenient service.

10. Take your time getting started – When we were first deposited at Whitetop Station, I remember watching the van pulling away and thinking “OK, I guess we’re really doing this.” The good news is that your first trip down the Virginia Creeper Trail is not the Tour de France. Stop and start as much as you want, and practice coasting and breaking until you’re feeling confident. No one is timing you!

11. Whitetop Station is an actual place – The former train station is now a visitor center that is open to the public. The two people working there cheered us on as we prepared to start our ride, telling us that we were going to have a great time. They were not wrong.

12. Keep an eye out for Green Cove Train Station – Pulling up at Green Cove Train Station means that you made it the first three miles! This little stop is part store, part historic museum, and there are also pit toilets and a little playground where kids can play (Note: there is a bigger gift shop around mile four, but we didn’t feel the need to stop so soon after leaving Green Cove).

13. Go easy on the bridges – Around 29 of the trail’s 47 bridges can be found during the first 17 miles. I found these to be some of the most scenic spots on the whole trail, but there were definitely some bumpy moments entering and exiting certain points. Take it slow on the bridges, and if you really don’t feel comfortable, there is no shame in getting off and walking your bike.

14. Break for cake – At around the 10 mile mark, you will reach Hellbender’s Cafe. This is the only restaurant we saw between Whitetop Station and Damascus. They serve meal options like barbecue sandwiches and chicken tenders, but we opted to split a delicious slice of their chocolate cake. The café also has WIFI and bathrooms with real flushing toilets. Go ahead, treat yourself!

15. Don’t be surprised if you use your breaks more than your pedals – Once again, the Whitetop-to-Damascus stretch of the Virginia Creeper Trail is almost entirely downhill, though not noticeably steep. The most pedaling I had to do was during the last half mile or so when we were coming into town. Since my daughter was on a three-wheeler, she did have to pedal quite a bit more than I did because those don’t coast the same way a two-wheeler does. She was therefore more tired than I was by the end, but neither of us would call this a particularly strenuous trip.

16. Enjoy the ride – Words cannot express what a beautiful experience this is. The trail takes you along the rushing waters of Laurel Creek and past the towering trees of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. There are picturesque moments at every turn. If at any point you want to stop and look around, do it. I promise you it’s worth it.

17. Block off several hours of your day – It took us about three hours to bike the entire 17 miles, and that included stops at the train station, the café, and several other spots along the way. I understand that 2.5-3 hours is about par for the course, with regular riders completing it in less time and other newbies, especially families with young children, taking more time. There is no wrong pace so long as you return your bike within the agreed-upon time frame.

**********************

Have I convinced you to take the plunge yet? From one non-cyclist to another, biking the Virginia Creeper Trail was so incredibly worth it, and not nearly as challenging as I worried it might be (check out how laid back our trip was in my Instagram reel). Part of me wished we had a few more days at our Airbnb so I could do it a second time with my toddler in an attached bike trailer. I guess that just means we’ll have to return!

Have you biked the Virginia Creeper Trail? I’d love to know about your experience! If you haven’t biked it yet, are there any additional questions I can answer for you? Either way, please feel free to leave a comment!