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The VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL
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| A lone rider starts out downhill from the parking area at Whitetop Station. |
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The most popular trip on the Creeper is the 17-mile
downhill ride from Whitetop Station to downtown Damascus. Everyone from
the grand kids to grandma can make this trip if they are comfortable
riding a bike. Most kids are so proud of themselves for having pedaled
17-miles they can't wait to go again.
To begin this trip you must first make reservations with one of the
shuttle services in Damascus (point #5 on our map).
They ferry riders to Whitetop Station at 3628' in the Mount Rogers National
Recreation Area. Make reservations early during peak times of the year
as they often fill up on weekends. Visit our Bike
Rental and Shuttle Services page to get all the contact information
you need.
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| The horses greet you as you pass through their pasture in Taylor's Valley. |
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After you have unloaded in the parking area at Whitetop
Station the 3-mile ride to Green Cove Station is the steepest of the
whole trail. You travel through thick forest very quickly so take it
easy and enjoy the rhododendron when it blooms in the spring. There
are many bridges and trestles as the trail parallels and crosses Laurel
Creek most of the way down the mountain. The views along the creek are
spectacular. The first gate will surprise you as you enter the horse
pastures in Taylor's Valley. Make sure the gates close as you enter
and leave the pasture.
This trip generally takes less than one-half day to complete giving
you plenty of time to enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants in Damascus.
After lunch take a look at the bike shops and antique stores along Laurel
Street downtown.
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