Best Trails near Damascus, Virginia

Took a shuttle to the top and rode down, really nice, beautiful riding along the river and lots of sights to see.

We rode the entire 34 miles from white top to abingdon. The first 17m to Damascus is all downhill and mostly through the forest. Beautiful!! especially in fall. Lunch in Damascus. The next 17m are level and then slightly uphill through less forest, mostly private property and farmland with the last 2m suburban. I'm glad we rode the whole trail but the first half was way better.

Mostly downhill. Went on a Saturday so there was a lot of traffic. Lots of bridges, great views.

Beautiful 18.5 mile gentle downhill grade from Whitetop Mountain to Damascus. Be sure to stop at Taylor Valley Cafe for delicious meatloaf sandwich and world-famous chocolate cake. Continue on to Abingdon for another 16 mi if you still have some energy left.

I did just a short hike from the parking lot on FS 89 to Buzzard Rock along the AT. It’s only a mile, very easy, and great views.

Great walking and biking trail.

Rented bikes in Damascus, shuttle to Whitetop. Ride up in back of a packed 15 passenger van was the least enjoyable part of the trip... but after we arrived in was GREAT. Gentle ride back down from Whitetop to Damascus on an old railway line. Trail is well maintained. Restrooms and multiple spots to stop on the ride. Beautiful scenery... trees, mountains, farm land, wooden bridges and follows a wonderful stream almost all the way down. Light pedaling, but mainly just relax and let gravity do the work! A definite “must do” when friends and family in town.

My husband and I rode from Whitetop to Damascus this morning, and I LOVED it! I rode my cruiser and he was on his mountain bike, and neither of us had any trouble with the trail. We started on the ride around 8:00am, on a weekday so we missed the heat and most of the crowds. It was actually a bit chilly in the shade. We didn't see another person until we got close to Damascus. We did see several deer. The trail was mostly smooth with only a few bumpy, rocky areas. Easy, downhill ride through beautiful scenery. I will be going back.

Fantastic!!! Cant wait to come back!!!

I'm probably pretty prejudiced about this trail because we volunteer at Green Cove Station. Love this trail. We've biked and hiked it main times. It can be crazy busy on the weekends, but always beautiful...even in the rain.

hard walk 1st mile or so nice quiet walk. I did 5 miles.

There was plenty of parking at the trail head and was easy to find with the directions. This trail is a steady uphill climb all the way to the top with sections that are rocky and areas that are muddy from mountain springs. It was easy to follow and well marked with the white AT blaze. The views at the top are well worth the climb.

we loved this trail. is was easy. we did not go all the way to Abingdon just Damascus. The trail was not busy today. lots of places to stop and take a break. We took the 17.1 from White Top to Damascus and our cabin was right next to the trail which was great.

don't do it on a weekend day... getting up , maybe a dozen people. getting fown: hundreds! I stopped counting at 400... otherwise, excellent conditions, well maintained.

nice trail for the whole family take your time ennoy the nature along the way dont be ready to set speed records enjoy this trail.

The trail is 13 miles long. Best hike it to do Beartree Gap trail to the AT north bound to the VA Creeper Trail south back to the AT north to Beartree Gap trail to finish up. When the VA Creeper Trail meets back with the AT be ready for a straight incline that is pretty brutal. Even the AT through hikers agreed it was pretty bad. We stayed at the top of the mountain at Saunders Shelter. Shelter has water and lots of spots to camp. Also keep in mind that the VA Creeper Trail is also a bike trail so people will be blowing past you but the hike is incredible!

This was absolutely gorgeous today. I didn’t feel the incline most of the time! Of course coming back down was great. You do have to be careful because it is such a highly traveled trail. So worth it. Excited to do it again and start further away.

If you're hiking it is not moderate. It's easy. We did mountain biking so maybe that's moderate. Either way, its fun.

First time setting foot on any section of the AT. good trail great view.

Nice walk in a beautiful setting. Especially early in the morning when the water is calm

Nice climb to a scenic overlook. Trail well laid out and maintained. Great views. Met several through hikers and got a chance to visit about their experience, made the trail fun.

Pleasant walk around the lake offering nice views of the surrounding forest and of the lake. Not a destination hike but worth doing while visiting the campground.

went sobo on this route starting in groseclose and finishing up in Damascus. 6 days 5 nights. Unbelievable time with the highlight being the grayson highlands and the wild ponies.

Snowy trail today but awesome views at the top!

Very much like this hike it is in my backyard I live in Taylors Valley just walk outside and go!

Nice sunny November day for a hike. I had been the Whitetop/Buzzard rock several times either by driving up or hiking up from the Elk Garden side. I finally figured out the road (Va 601) where access and parking were located on the West side of Buzzard Rock so I decided to give it a try. Nice trail not heavily used this time of year. All up hill to Buzzard Rock with great views and then a nice easy hike downhill back to the parking area. Probably enough room for 5 or 6 vehicles.