Our Favorite Things To Do In Abingdon, Virginia
Biking The Virginia Creeper Trail And Hiking In Grayson Highlands Plus Places To Eat And Places To Stay
Abingdon, Virginia is a beautiful, quaint mountain town in the foothills of southwest Virginia. It has terrific restaurants, a historic Main Street lined with brick sidewalks, the famous Barter Theater, and plenty of things to do for the outdoor enthusiast.
For my family, we repeatedly visit Abingdon for two main reasons: biking the Virginia Creeper Trail (a 34 mile rails to trails pathway) and hiking the trails at nearby Grayson Highlands State Park, famous for its soaring mountain views and wild ponies.
Biking The Virginia Creeper Trail
Important! Please note that in late September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused massive destruction on the upper section of the Virginia Creeper Trail. It is currently closed from Whitetop to Damascus. The lower section from Abingdon to Damascus is open.
Upper section of the Virginia Creeper Trail- From Whitetop to Damascus
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a popular rails-to trails route that starts in Abingdon, VA and travels 34.3 miles through farmlands to Damascus, VA and finally climbs 1,600 feet in elevation (nearly 5 percent grade) where it ends at Whitetop at the Virginia/North Carolina border.
It’s an incredibly scenic bike route with continuously changing scenery with flat farmland and pastures, river crossings, long trestles (bridges) and forested mountains with mountainside trout streams. And because it’s mostly on a wide, crushed gravel path, it’s easily biked on mountain bikes or hybrid bikes. All in all, it’s simply an incredibly entertaining and remarkably scenic ride.
Map showing Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon, VA to Whitetop Virginia. Map courtesy of openstreetmaps.org and annotated.
Biking From Whitetop To Damascus On The Virginia Creeper Trail- 17 Miles All Downhill
Biking over a trestle on the Virginia Creeper Trail
Because of the mountainous steep grade at the Whitetop end of the Virginia Creeper Trail, most riders take a shuttle from Damascus to bike the easy 17 mile downhill section from Whitetop down to Damascus. The elevation at Whitetop is 3576' elevation, and you will ride downhill to Damascus which sits at an elevation of 1952'.
For this section of the trail, you may not even need to pedal for some of it- just coast down. You’ll encounter some flat stretches where you’ll pedal more than coast, but the going is generally easy.
This is the most popular route because it is easy for any level of rider including kids, so it’s a great outing for the family. Because you follow a creek for much of it, bring a picnic and dip your toes in the cold water if it’s a hot day. If you don’t stop for a picnic, plan on 2-3 hours on the trail with occasional stops for photos and water breaks.
When arriving back in Damascus, grab lunch at Mojo’s Trailside Cafe and Coffee House. We had breakfast here and it was terrific. Lunch menu looked good too. A cozy place to relax and refuel. 331 Douglas Dr.
Note: The popular, all-downhill section from Whitetop to Damascus section can be crowded on weekends during the summer and fall. For this reason, try to go on a weekday if at all possible.
Continuing On To Abingdon From Damascus
Alternatively, you could continue your ride to Abingdon after a break in Damascus and bike 15 more miles to Abingdon. This is doable (I’ve only done the whole thing once), but I got a little saddle sore by the end of it and definitely felt some leg burn even with just the slight elevation gain on the trail from Damascus to Abingdon.
If you’re an experienced biker like my husband, the entire trail from Whitetop to Abindgon is considered “easy.” For the rest of us, it’s doable with some effort. Elevation in Damascus is 1952’ and you’ll climb just a bit to Abingdon at 2087’.
Plan on an additional 2 hours of biking (if you don’t stop) if you continue biking from Damascus on to Abingdon. See more about this section of the Creeper Trail below under “Biking From Abingdon To Damascus.”
Bike Rentals And Shuttle On The Virginia Creeper Trail
Adventure Damascus Van Shuttle to Whitetop
For convenience, you can rent bikes from an outfitter in either Damascus or Abingdon and get shuttled up to Whitetop. Contact Adventure Damascus for bike rental and shuttle information for starting from Damascus (most popular). Reserve ahead of time if you can as they can fill up on weekends.
The van shuttle from Damascus to the top of Whitetop takes about 30 minutes on a winding road. If you get car sick, try to sit up front. My kids and I are prone to motion sickness, and we did just fine. But just in case, I always bring a sealable Ziploc storage bag for the kiddos.
If you bring your own bikes, you can pay for the shuttle only.
You can also rent bikes and reserve a shuttle in Abingdon from the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop.
Tips For Biking The Whitetop To Damascus Portion Of The Trail
Bring a rain jacket or jacket (in the cooler months). It can get chillier than you think as you build- up speed coasting downhill.
Bring a basic first aid kit (bandaids for any tumbles).
Bring a water bottle and a backpack for snacks.
If you have some in your group who want to go faster, have them stop at the end of each trestle (bridge) to meet up with the rest of the group. There are dozens of trestles on this section of the trail.
Note that you will not have cell service.
Biking From Abingdon To Damascus On The Virginia Creeper Trail - 15.5 miles
Virginia Creeper Trail near Damascus
Another option is to start in Abingdon and bike towards Damascus. Having done both sections, this one is perhaps my favorite section of the Virginia Creeper Trail.
I like the Abingdon to Damascus route because you can just hop on your bike and go without arranging for shuttles and you get a fairly decent workout. The ride from Abingdon to Damascus is a relatively flat 15 mile ride through farmlands and over long trestles. On one ride, I’ve had to wait for cows to disperse before continuing. It’s incredibly scenic with views of the rolling hills and mountains beyond.
From Abingdon, you can simply choose to bike for as long (or short) a distance as you’re able and then turn around. It’s fun and beautiful whether you go 2 miles or 3o. It’s definitely not a “coasting” type of ride, and you will have to pedal, unlike the downhill section from Whitetop.
It’s also much more of a pastoral ride rather than the mostly forested and downhill mountainous ride from Whitetop. It’s equally beautiful though, with plenty of wooden bridges and scenic views.
When we rode this section from Abingdon, we accessed the Virginia Creeper trailhead on Green Spring Road at the Virginia Creeper Trail Welcome Center near downtown Abingdon. From there, we biked 8.5 miles to Alvarado Station as a turn-around point. Or you could keep going to Damascus and arrange a shuttle ride back to Abingdon if you want.
Map of Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Damascus. Courtesy of Google Maps.
From Alvarado Station, you could also take an optional detour to Abingdon Vineyard which is located 1/2 mile (note that this detour is on a road) from the Virginia Creeper Trail. They serve cheese and charcuterie snacks along with wine of course and offer outdoor seating by the water. I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s on my list!
To give you an idea of the elevation gain from Abingdon to Damascus, you start in Abingdon with an elevation of 2087’. From Abingdon going towards Damascus, it’s downhill as you drop to 1770' at the popular trestle over the Holston River at mile 7.8, and then it's a very gradual gain as you come into Alvarado Station (elevation 1900’).
From Alvarado Station on to Damascus, you gain a bit more elevation as it is 1952 feet at mile 15.5. This section of the trail will be hot in the summer as it’s less tree-lined, so start early.
Tip: Head to The Girl and the Raven Cafe or White Birch Food and Juice to start your day with a great breakfast before your ride. (Both restaurants also serve lunch.)
Virginia Creeper Bridge at the Holston River between Abingdon and Damascus. Photo courtesy of Eli Christman on Flickr. 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
Virginia Creeper Trail Mileage Markers And Elevation Profile
Check out the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy’s website for more information including the elevation profile or US Forest Service’s Info Guide and Trail Map.
Graph is courtesy of Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy.
Miles are measured from the Abingdon trailhead. Mileages in parentheses are from the VA-NC line. (Courtesy of USFS)
0 (33.4) Abingdon Trailhead: Limited parking.
2.9 (30.5) Highway 677: Limited parking
3.7 (29.7) Dry Branch Trestle
7.2 (26.2) South Holston Trestle: Scenic trestle over conjunction of South and Middle forks of the Holston River at head of South Holston Lake. Lowest point on trail (1,900 feet above mean sea level)
8.5 (24.9) Alvarado: Limited parking
15.5 (17.9) Damascus: The red caboose is a seasonal information station. Parking, restrooms in town park. Snacks, etc. in town.
17.5 (15.9) Iron Bridge: Enter Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.
19.5 (13.9) Straight Branch parking lot.
21.0 (12.4) Taylor's Valley: Parking.
24.0 (9.4) Konnarock Junction: Parking. Access to special regulations fishing stream (single-hook artificial lure only)
25.0 (8.4) High Trestle: 550 feet long, about 100 feet tall.
29.3 (4.1) Green Cove Station: Seasonal Forest Service information station. Portable toilets. Parking. Drinks and water when open.
32.3 (1.1) Whitetop Station: Highest point on trail. Parking.
33.4 (0.0) VA-NC border: Land on the North Carolina side is private property and most of it is posted. It is NOT a trail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Biking The Virginia Creeper Trail
When is the best time to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail?
Weekends can be busy so weekdays are ideal. May thru October has the best temperatures and fall is especially beautiful but can be chilly.
Where to rent bikes/shuttle?
From Damascus, contact Adventure Damascus. They provide the shuttle from Damascus up to Whitetop which is the most popular section of the Virginia Creeper Trail. To start from Abingdon, contact the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop.
How long does it take to bike the Creeper Trail?
From Whitetop to Damascus, plan about 2-3 hours depending on stops. Add 2 more hours if continuing on from Damascus to Abingdon.
What is the trail surface like?
The Virginia Creeper Trail is not a paved trail but is a mostly smooth, crushed gravel wide path - mountain bikes and hybrid bikes are preferable to road bikes.
Can kids bike the Virginia Creeper Trail?
Most kids will be able to easily navigate the downhill portion from Whitetop Station to Damascus. You can also rent pull-behinds for younger kids.
Is there cell coverage on the Virginia Creeper Trail?
Cell coverage is limited to none, especially on the Whitetop to Damascus section.
Are there restrooms on the Virginia Creeper Trail?
Yes, several vault toilets can be found along the trail at the Abingdon parking lot, Alvarado parking lot, in Damascus near the caboose, Straight Branch parking lot, Creek Junction parking lot, Green Cove train station, Rt 677 parking lot, and Whitetop Station.
Grayson Highlands State Park Hiking
Trail leading to Wilburn Ridge at Grayson Highlands State Park
If you’d rather hike than bike or you have a full weekend in Abingdon and can do both, don’t miss Virginia’s Grayson Highlands State Park, which is a beautiful 1 hour drive from Abingdon.
With open vistas of mountain peaks and sitting at just under 5000’ elevation, the park offers easy access to one of the most beautiful sections of the Appalachian Trail. It is also home to one of the popular backpacking trails to Mount Rogers, the highest natural point in Virginia with an elevation of 5730’.
You’ll find an excellent Visitor Center where you can get trail info, conditions, etc. Because designated horse trails also meander through the park, it’s helpful to get a map or talk to a ranger to make sure you start on the right trail. The park also offers campgrounds, yurts (which we love-see our review), and plenty of hiking trails.
Note: There’s a small fee to enter ($7 weekdays and $10 weekend from May-October.) See website for details.
See Wild Ponies on the Rhododendron Trail
Wilburn Ridge in Grayson Highlands State Park
Every time my family visits, we make sure to hike the roughly 2 mile round trip to Wilburn Ridge via the Rhododendron Trail. If you hike only one trail in the park, make it this one. There are plenty more hiking options, but this is my absolute favorite place to hike, especially in June when the rhododendrons are blooming. After hiking so many tree-lined trails in the Southeast, I really appreciate the openness of the terrain that allows for such amazing views.
The Rhododendron Trail to Wilburn Ridge is also known for the herd of wild ponies that roam there, so be on the lookout for them during your hike. But don’t approach them or feed them!
The hike to Wilburn Ridge begins at Massie Gap parking area and ascends to an open bald with beautiful 360 degree views. This super short hike is uphill but suitable for families and it is not very strenuous with about 300’ elevation gain. Arriving at Wilburn Ridge includes some fun rock scrambling and amazing views.
Wild ponies on the Rhododendron Trail
If you want to keep hiking, the trail intersects the Appalachian Trail where you can hike as long as you’d like then return. Click here for a Grayson Highlands Trail Map.
Tip: Due to the open balds and high elevation, it is usually cooler and windy here. Check the weather forecast before starting the hike and make sure to pack sunscreen and a hat.
Twin Pinnacles Trail
View from the Twin Pinnacles Trail at Grayson Highlands State Park
For another short hike to amazing views, I also really like the Twin Pinnacles Trail. The trailhead to this hike is located behind the Visitor Center. It’s a 1.6 mile loop trail to two prominent view points. Along the way, you’ll pass through dense forest and near the beginning of the trail make sure to look for the tree growing out of the rocks. It’s a terrific hike, mostly easy with a few steep parts, and suitable for kids too with an elevation gain of just 288’.
For a map and list of more trails at Grayson Highlands State Park, visit Virginia State Parks webpage. Also, see our blog: 3 Easy Hikes in Grayson Highlands State Park.
Abingdon Restaurants
After all this biking and hiking, you’re bound to be hungry. Fortunately for you, Abingdon is a known foodie town, so you’ll find plenty of good local options. Having won the USA Today’s “Best Small Town Food Scene” for several years in a row, it has become a mountain town dining destination as well.
Check out Luke’s Cafe for terrific fish tacos, salads, sandwiches or Mama Mia if you need an Italian fix. The Tavern (built in 1779), 128 Pecan, and Rain are popular mainstays in the Abingdon dining scene, while Bone Fire Smokehouse serves up some tasty BBQ for the family.
And of course, every mountain town needs a good craft brewery and Abingdon has a good one at Sweet Bay Brew Company.
See the article “Abingdon Named Four-Time Winner of USA Today Best Small Town Food Scene” for more dining info.
You can even take in dinner and a show at Abingdon’s famous and historic Barter Theater. It opened in 1933 making it the nation’s longest running professional theater. It offers live theater all year round if you are interested in checking it out.
The Arts Depot is another fun thing to do in Abingdon. Here you can watch painters, potters and fabric artists at work inside Abingdon's historic train depot.
Virginia Creeper Trail Lodging Near Abingdon
Hotels
The Martha Washington Inn, an attractive and historic hotel, is the place to stay for a memorable but expensive experience. If you can book on a weekday, you will get a less expensive rate. Also, check out the package deals that includes lodging and biking the Creeper (if you need a shuttle or rental bikes).
The hotels that dot I-81 near Abingdon and Bristol are generally a less expensive option. The closest hotels to Abingdon are the Hampton Inn by Hilton and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Both are well reviewed, offer a free breakfast, and are less than 5 minutes from Abingdon’s historic downtown and the Virginia Creeper Trail.
Vacation Rentals in Abingdon, VA
Each of these properties is located in historic downtown Abingdon. You can stroll the town and walk to many restaurants. The access to the western trailhead of the Virginia Creeper Trail is within blocks and the drive to Grayson Highlands State Park takes about an hour.
Heads up: We are not sponsored in any way and have never received compensation at the behest of any organization or company. If you book one of our recommended properties from our VRBO or booking.com links, you won’t pay a penny more but we may get a small commission which helps support this website. Thanks! Disclosure Statement.
Hidden Historic 12 Acres In Downtown Abingdon, Walk To Everything. VRBO 865242. 3 bedroom, 1 bath with a nice yard.
Historic District - WINTER RATES - 4 Blocks from Creeper Trail & Barter. VRBO 263454. Conveniently located a few blocks to the Creeper. Sleeps 4-6.
The Virginia Creeper End Cottages consists of two cottages with a total of 5 units which hold either 1 or 2 bedrooms in each. Great location near the Virginia Creeper Trail.
Quaint Abingdon Cottage Downtown 420 East Valley Street. VRBO 1939056. 2 bedroom, 1 bath, sleeps 4. Within a 2 block walking distance to historical Abingdon District, local restaurants and the Virginia Creeper Trail is just a few short blocks away.
Premium Studio in Historic District, Walking Distance to Restaurants & Shops! VRBO 2531848. Studio apartment with fantastic location. Sleeps 2.
The vacation rentals above are located in Abingdon, but you’ll also find vacation rentals in the “trail town” of Damascus where the Virginia Creeper Trail and Appalachian Trail run through. Damascus would be a good place to stay if you are taking the shuttle to Whitetop to bike the Creeper Trail.
Camping Near Abingdon, VA
If you are comfortable camping, check out the campground in Bear Tree Recreation Area. It’s a good location to experience Grayson Highlands State Park and the Virginia Creeper Trail access from Damascus, VA. It’s a 40 minute drive from Abingdon, 41 minutes to Grayson Highlands, and 20 minutes to Damascus.
Grayson Highlands State Park also has a campground, but we wish the sites were more private. Its location can’t be beat though. The yurts here, however, are amazing. See my review here.
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This amazing high elevation hike on the Appalachian Trail to Buzzard Rock in southwest Virginia offers meadows, forests, and an open mountain bald. Add some amazing views and a bit of rock scrambling, and it’s a surefire winner for the family.