Appalachian Trail

The "AT" is a continuously marked trail from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, a distance of about 2200 miles. Damascus is about 450 miles north of Springer and 1750 miles south of Katahdin. The AT blaze goes right down our main street .

For the thru-hiker Damascus has a range of resources available, including a hostel, laundry facility, pharmacy, registration station at the post office, e-mail service in town, several B&B's, a outfitter store, shuttle services and small stores for supplies. We also have the good fortune to be known as "the friendliest town on the trail". Don't be surprised if you're invited to share beans & cornbread, or Sunday Services, or maybe even offered a ride to Fox Creek. We love to know your names and hear all about you. Take lots of pictures and leave only footprints - just like you do on the trail. Be warned! Many say that one of the hardest things about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is leaving Damascus.

If you are section hiking the AT, backpacking for a week or two, or enjoying a weekend of hiking in the Southern Appalachians, Damascus is an excellent starting and/or ending point. Shuttles can be arranged for those long distance one-way hikes. There are many combinations of loop trails. Free parking is available on Wilson Street - anyone can direct you there.

If you are looking for a wilderness experience in the National Recreation Area, please avoid the AT during holidays and the weekends of May, June and July. There are over 400 miles of trails in the NRA.

About 60 miles of the AT are in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club maintains the trail south of Damascus; Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club maintains north of Damascus.

Iron Mountain Trail
North

The Iron Mountain Trail, now blazed yellow, was part of the Appalachian Trail until 1972, when the AT was relocated to the south. Along this path were the steps of the first AT hikers, like Myron Avery, Gene Espy and Grandma Gatewood, to name a few. This beautiful and historic 24 mile trail, from Damascus to VA16 at Iron Mountain Gap is now shared by many users, yet it has less users than the AT. Hikers, bikers and equestrians co-exist partly because of the vision of the Iron Mountain Trail Club. The trail passes through luxuriant forest, generally following the mountain crest with few steep, long ascents or descents. The views to the south are superb. Except for the parts along the ridgecrest, this trail has ample water. There are three shelters, a number of campsites and many combinations of circuit hikes using the Iron Mountain Trail.

South

From Damascus south the Iron Mountain Trail is about 23 miles long ending near Tennessee Highway 91. This section is designated a footpath only and traverses mostly roadless areas within the Cherokee National Forest. It is clearly blazed but is rugged and less maintained than its northern route. This section is a much better hike for those looking for a wilderness experience. There are no shelters but a number of campsites exists. The views are spectacular. An excellent circuit hike when combined with the Appalachian Trail at Highway 91 - a total loop of about 45 miles. Several local Damascus folks have taken this loop and could be helpful.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

More than 400 miles of trail wind their way through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, plus 120,000 acres to explore! For those of us that want a more rugged, less crowded experience here are some suggestions: Request the Circuit Hike maps from the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. See Iron Mountain Trail. Get really good maps, study them. Plan to explore blue blazes.
Virgina Creeper Trail

The Virginia Creeper Trail is a multiple-use trail connecting Abingdon, Virginia with the Virginia-North Carolina line 1.1 miles east of Whitetop Station, Virginia. The total trail length is 34.3 miles. Walkers, bicyclers and horses are welcome on the trail -- but anything motorized is taboo. Bicycle rental and shuttle services are available for those who wish to do a long one-way ride.

The Virginia Creeper Trail began as an Indian footpath. Later, the European pioneers, as well as the early explorer Daniel Boone, used the trail. Shortly after 1900, W.B. Mingea constructed the Virginia-Carolina Railroad from Abingdon to Damascus. In 1905 the Hassinger Lumber Company extended the line to Konnarock and Elkland, North Carolina. In its day, the line hauled lumber, iron ore, supplies, and passengers. It got its nickname, Virginia Creeper, from the early steam locomotives that struggled slowly up the railroad's steep grades and/or from the Virginia Creeper Vine that grows along the trail. The Virginia Creeper engine and tender are now on display at the Abingdon Trailhead. A "spur line" engine and a caboose are on display at the Damascus Town Park.

With 100 trestles and bridges, sharp curves, and steep grades, the Virginia Creeper was the quintessential mountain railroad. Train crews faced wash-outs, rock slides, and other hazards, but it was economics that sounded the line's death whistle. Having failed to turn a profit since the Great Depression, the Creeper ran its last train on March 31, 1977.

Less than a century after the railroad arrived, the Virginia Creeper once again became a quiet trail. The circle was complete.

Between Abingdon and Damascus, the trail right-of-way belongs to the two towns. Please note that although the public legally has the right to use the trail, most of the actual land between Abingdon and the Iron Bridge east of Damascus is privately owned. Stay on the trail, close gates, respect property owners and livestock, and be courteous to landowners and other trail users. Please abide by the “Rules of the Trail!”

The 15.9 miles of trail between Iron Bridge (Mile 18.4) to the state line are part of the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area in the Jefferson National Forest. Except for a short stretch through Taylor's Valley, the public owns both the right-of-way and the actual property.

This part of the trail runs though some of the most rugged and picturesque country in the East and is widely lauded as one of the most beautiful trails on the continent. Bike rental and shuttle services are available. Enjoy!

The Virginia Creeper Trail Club, a volunteer organization, advocates for, maintains and improves the trail. They meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 7PM at the Washington County Public Library in Abingdon.

Virgina Highlands Horse Trail

The Virginia Highlands Horse Trail (orange paint blazes) stretches for over 67 miles from Highway 600 at Elk Garden to Route 94 not far from Ivanhoe, Virginia. This trail traverses the fragile and beautiful High Country of the National Recreation Area and can sometimes be crowded on weekends and holidays.

Most trail maintenance is done by volunteers. If you'd like to take part in making better trails contact one of these organizations:

Appalachian Trail Conference, P.O. Box 10, Newport, VA 24128 (703) 544-7388

Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, 153 Kingsbridge, Bristol, TN 37620 (423) 652-7695

Tenn. Eastman Hiking Club, 609 Greenmeadow Dr., Kingsport, TN 37663 (423) 239-6237

Iron Mountain Trail Club, P.O. Box 1124, Damascus, VA 24236

Student Conservation Association, P.O. Box 550 689 River Rd., Charlestown, NH 03603 (603)543-1700 http://www.sca-inc.org