Gaffney Travel & Blog

Have you heard regarding the Virginia Creeper Trail? We got really excited once we heard about it,And  so we thought we should share it to you. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34.3-mile recreation trail starting in Abingdon, Va., extending through Damascus, Va. and concluding 1.1 miles beyond the Whitetop Station near the Virginia-North Carolina border.

History of the Virginia Creeper Trail

You will probably be asking, ‘Why do they really call it the creeper trail?’ The word creeper originates from the trains that used to traverse the tracks between Abingdon and Damascus. Those trains hauled passengers, lumber, iron ore and general supplies. Locals used to mention the train which ascended towards east as the so called “Virginia Creeper,”  due to the native plant which grows along the route. The trains generally chugged along within a near glacial pace, hauling those heavy loads up the mountain. The final Virginia Creeper train last ran in 1977.

 The Virginia Creeper Trail – A Couple Of Notable Attractions

The Virginia Creeper Trail is really a shared trail between hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders, and follows the historical route.  Along the trail you will see 3 visitor centers: one within the Damascus Caboose, the old Green Cove Station, and the rebuilt Whitetop Station. All of them are open weekends May-October. You can rest, enjoy a snack and check out through various souvenirs and collectibles at each center.

Another fantastic spot along side the trail is known as the Iron Horse Music Hall, where local and regional musicians maintain the vibrant tradition of bluegrass music kicking. You can often hear the banjoes ringing through the woods when you pass by, if you’re so inclined, you can camp at the Iron Horse Campground next door to take it all in.

Visit the Virginia Creeper Trail official site for additional information on how to organize a trip and to answer any questions you might have. We’re still in peak foliage, so be sure you bring along your new camera.

In the last entry we spoke of the Shenandoah National Park part of Virginia’s Appalachian Trail, so today we’ll take a closer look at the northern end.  It’s still prime weather to leave and explore even the upper reaches of the trail, and it might  be good through November.

One of many popular access points to the trail is through Sky Meadows State Park in beautiful Fauquier County.  The trail covers an ample 54 miles and features the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area, one of the most popular areas for viewing wildlife.

G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area

    Fishing

    Hunting

Set from the Eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this particular area of this trail is situated near Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania and provides access to populated areas, and also easily reaches Virginia’s well known wildlife areas.  There are plenty of opportunities for fishing and hunting, and also birding, viewing Virginia’s marvellous array of gorgeous wildflowers and hiking along side the trail.

Things you can do and observe depends upon what you like.  For history buffs, The Railway Workers Museum features Restored Railcars (Caboose, REA Baggage, Box Car) and restored and operating Maintenance of Way (MOW) equipment. Weather, crew, and Commercial Rail Operations permitting short rides may be available from 9:30 to 11:30 on the MOW train.  It’s an amazing place to introduce the kids towards the history of the United States as viewed from the lens of our historic railways.

And for another look at history and Located 38 miles south of Mount Vernon in the banks of the Rappahannock River opposite Fredericksburg, is Ferry Farm, George Washington’s boyhood home.  Virginia is rich with colonial history.  What better way to explore out nation’s heritage than doing it by planned hikes around our beautiful commonwealth?

And of course, the trail features the sublime views offered throughout Virginia’s awe-inspiring stretches of the Appalachian Trail.