Bike Outfitters & Shuttles in Damascus

Stop and stay awhile at the heart of the Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus, Virginia, Trail Town USA. Damascus has several local bike outfitters in town ready to assist with bike rental and shuttle services year-round. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a family-friendly rail-trail, suitable for beginners, and great for groups of all ages. There’s an adventure for everyone here!

Virginia Creeper Trail: OPEN from the Start to the Heart!

The Virginia Creeper Trail is NOW OPEN, from the Start to the Heart, Abingdon to Damascus, about 17 miles. Bike outfitters are providing full rental and shuttle services from their Damascus storefronts to the Abingdon trailhead. 

NEW! The Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Damascus is now open to E-Bikes as well, as of December 2024.

Trail closure: The upper half of the Virginia Creeper Trail from Whitetop Station to Damascus is in national forest and remains CLOSED until it can be rebuilt by the US Forest Service. There is no access to the Virginia Creeper Trail past Damascus at this time. The Straight Branch and Creek Junction trailheads are open to fishing access only, no trail traffic.

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Virginia Creeper Trail FAQs

What is the Virginia Creeper Trail? 

A fan favorite, the Virginia Creeper Trail is one of the most famous multi-use trails in the United States and was inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2014. The Virginia Creeper Trail stretches 34 miles from Whitetop Station to the Abingdon terminus, passing through downtown Damascus along the way.

What is the open half of the Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Damascus like?

Bike through the rolling hills and farmland along the South Fork of the Holston River. At its lowest elevation, the trail crosses the headwaters of South Holston Lake on a huge curving trestle. Although the lower section of trail requires some light pedaling, it is downhill from Abingdon to Alvarado and maintains less than a 1% grade from Alvarado back to Damascus – suitable for active beginners and families. 

How long does the trail take? 

Generally, the bike ride from Whitetop or Abingdon back to Damascus takes 2-4 hours, depending on your group’s pace. Be sure to take enough time to stop along your ride for food, scenery, swimming holes, and historical sites.

​When is the best time to visit the Virginia Creeper Trail? 

Any time of year! The trail is open and shuttles are available year-round! Fall weekends are the most popular; be sure to book your rental and shuttle early, especially for peak fall Saturdays.

​Stop and stay awhile!

Drop by the Damascus Trail Center for area maps, must-do activities, and local advice. Walk around downtown and shop for new outdoor gear and handcrafted goods, find indoor + outdoor seating at most restaurants, enjoy live music downtown on most weekends, grab a drink or a hand-dipped ice cream, and more. Take the time to explore all that Damascus has to offer.

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​All of the Bike Outfitters and Shuttles listed above operate under commercial-use permits with the US Forest Service for the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. Learn more about Event and Commercial Permits for the National Forest.