Driving through Damascus, Virginia
Damascus is a town in Washington County, Virginia, United States. The population was 814 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kingsport–Bristol (TN)–Bristol (VA) Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the Tri-Cities region.
Damascus is the home of the annual Trail Days festival, and is known as Trail Town USA due to the convergence of four scenic trails in the town, including the Appalachian Trail, U.S. Bicycle Route 76, The Iron Mountain Trail, and the Virginia Creeper Trail. Damascus also is on the route of the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail and the Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail. The Trail Days festival is held around the middle of May each year and draws in excess of 20,000 tourists, making it the largest single gathering of Appalachian Trail hikers anywhere.
Virginia Creeper Trail Mountain Biking Adventure, Damascus, VA
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 35-mile (56 km) multi-purpose rail trail in southwestern Virginia. The trail runs from Abingdon to Whitetop, Virginia, near the North Carolina state line – through National Forest and crossing numerous restored trestles and crossing the Appalachian Trail.
The trail descends from Abingdon to Damascus, traversing rolling farm countryside and numerous parcels of private property – requiring opening and closing private gates along the route. From Damascus, hikers, cyclists and equestrians ascend to Whitetop, following Laurel Creek. Cyclists can use a shuttle service to Whitetop for the 17-mile (27 km) return descent.
The trail runs on a rail right-of-way dating to the 1880s — first belonging to the Abingdon Coal and Iron Railroad. After investing sizable capital without actually opening, that company went out of business. In the early 1890s the company's assets were purchased by the Virginia-Carolina and Southern Railway. It too had financial trouble and its assets were purchased by the Virginia-Carolina Railway.
In February 1900, the Virginia-Carolina Railway began operating in Damascus, Virginia. By 1912, the railroad extended to Whitetop and by the end of the decade to Elkland, North Carolina (now Todd). The train ran to Todd until 1933, when the terminus moved to West Jefferson.
In 1957 the last steam engine retired, replaced by diesel powered engines. By 1974, the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the line. In 1977 hard rains flooded and damaged most of the line, which was left un-repaired.
In 1977 removal of the track began and the land in Virginia was secured by the US Forest Service for a recreation trail. The land in North Carolina was returned to the land owners. In Virginia, the right-of-way is owned by the Towns of Abingdon and Damascus, and by the National Park Service and the National Forest Service.
Biking the Virginia Creeper Trail Damascus VA
A group of friends took a weekend trip to Damascus Virginia to bike a portion of the Virginia Creeper Trail with Traveling Ink, Sundog Outfitter, and Adventure Damascus. The ride was 17 miles and took just under 3 hours. There were a number of streams and scenic overlooks to stop and take in the great outdoors and the trip was a gradual descent so it was less of a workout and more of an enjoyable ride. It was a great way to spend a weekend!
SB20: Shuttle to Top of Virginia Creeper Trail with Driver Eric from Sundog/Adventure Damascus.
We got a bike rental & shuttle from in Damascus, VA to the top of the Virginia Creeper Trail. Enjoy our discussion with our shuttle driver about the trail and area. Thank you, Coach!
Anatomy Of An Appalachian Trail Town Stop: Damascus, Virginia
This is what a mostly typical town stop looks like for me, 467 miles into the Appalachian Trail. Not shown: laundry, eating, and showering (because who wants to see that)!
16. Appalachian Trail - Virginia A Damascus
My stay in Damascus Virginia was a pleasant one. It's a very friendly little trail town and the first place you see once you get to Virginia.
The W&OD Bike Trail In Northern VA!
Today we went on a bike adventure through the W&OD Trail here in VA if your are in the area I highly recommend riding on it!
Song by Fredji - Happy Life
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The Buzzrats :: Cool Papa Bell & Damascus, Virginia
Cool Papa Bell from Wondering Where You Are (2003) & Damascus, Virginia from John Train (2001). Both songs © The Buzzrats.
Images: Ghost Highway Photography
1926 photograph of Irish Hills Pioneer Pageant @ Walker Tavern courtesty of Cambridge Junction Historical State Park (DNR)...from a photo album belonging to Rev. Frederick Hewitt, who owned the Taverns from the early 1920s until the late 1960s.
Appalachian Trail Hampton, TN to Damascus, VA June 20 21, 2014
My recent solo hike from Hampton, TN to Damascus, VA on the Appalachian Trail. I tried to give a few tips on solo backpacking during the course of the video. Unfortunately due to inclement weather I did not get a lot of quality shots, but the adventure was still accomplished. Until next time....Happy Trails!!
2019 Trail Days Damascus, VA and Bear Tree Lake
Trail Days, Damascus, VA, takes place each year on May 17, 18, 19. People attend from all over the US and AT through hikers make it a point to show up. The parade is on Saturday and I’m sorry I missed it! This video displays some of the various vendors, food trucks, a live band and dancing. (I learned a few new dance moves!) In conclusion, I have footage of Bear Tree Lake, a small, picturesque lake with a shaded, 1 mile, walking path around it, located right up the road from Damascus. This video should shed some light on the event and place a smile on your face. Thanks for watching. #traildays #damascusvirginiatraildays #2019traildays
Biking across America! Week Two
Biking across the United States along the famed TransAmerica Bike Route. The route, established in 1976, crosses the United States from (depending upon which direction you travel) Virginia to Oregon.
During the second week we are still in Virginia coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Damascus, Virginia for our first rest day. Damascus also marks the intersection of the TransAmerica Bike Trail with the Appalachian Trail. We then end the week at the The Breaks Park on the border between Virginia and Kentucky. 2017
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Appalachian Trail - Virginia (Damascus to Dickey Gap)
Appalachian Trail Section Hikes Elk Garden to Damascus October 2012 and Elk Garden to Dickey Gap June 2013
アメリカ横断自転車旅行 Day62-2 (Virginia Creeper Trail to Damascus, VA, the U.S.)
A record of my bicycle journey crossing the North American & Eurasian continents. The article on my blog:
素人によるアメリカ自転車横断旅行の記録です。
Massey Gap to Damascus
.massey gap, virginia, damascus,
Day 31: Damascus, VA to Lost Mountain Shelter
We wind our way out of the hiker capital of Damascus, VA, on some nicely groomed trails and end in Lost Mountain Shelter on a short day.
2017 AT Thru Hike #14 Damascus To Dickey Gap
2017 Appalachian Trail Thru Hike: In this video we head from Damascus, VA to Dickey Gap. Thank you to everyone who has been following along and supporting our journey!
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Virginia Creeper Trail September 2017
So have you guys ever biked from Whitetop, VA to Damascus, VA down the Virginia Creeper Trail? If you have not you need to it is beautiful. Leave me a comment below your experiences on the trail if you have ridden it before!! Thanks for watching and don't forget to hit that LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more!!
The 34.3-mile rail-to-recreation trail, traversing through two counties from Abingdon, Virginia, through Damascus, and ending just past Whitetop Station in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, at the Virginia-North Carolina border. Today, the trail corridor lies half on federal land managed by the US Forest Service and half on property owned by local governments. In the 30 years since its opening, the Creeper Trail remains one of the country’s premier rail-trails, honored as the inductee into the 2014 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame and a recipient of numerous local, regional and national accolades.
Q & A about the trail....
*How far is the ride from Whitetop to Damascus?
17 miles, almost all downhill. You'll have to pedal the last 3 miles as it flattens out a bit.
*How long will it take?
From 2 1/2 to 3 hours (it took us about 4.5 to 5 cause we ate lunch) depending on how leisurely you want to be about it. I suggest that you take your time because there are many beautiful places to stop and take it all in.
*Are there water and food and bathrooms along the trail?
Yes, there are vault toilets at the trailhead at Whitetop Station, 3 miles down the trail at Green Cove Station and for customers at the cafe in Taylor's Valley. Water is available for free at Whitetop and is for sale at Green Cove and Taylor's Valley. The Creeper Trail Cafe, a nice little cafe at Taylor's Valley, about 11 miles down. There are numerous lunch choices in Damascus.
*What is the surface of the Virginia Creeper Trail like?
Crushed limestone and cinders left over from the train days. Firm in most places on the Whitetop to Damascus end, some rocky places on the Abingdon to Damascus end.
*Do cell phones work on the Virginia Creeper Trail?
Not on the upper section. You are in a gorge and in the middle of the forest most of the time. Thank goodness we don't have cell towers out there! They sometimes work on the Abingdon to Damascus section depending on your carrier. Damascus has service provided by Sprint and Verizon. Some Verizon customers get a signal in the parking lot in front of Mojoe's Coffee Shop. AT&T does not work in Damascus.
*Is there camping allowed on the Creeper Trail and other camping?
Camping along the trail is fine as long as it's not on private property. The US Forest Service/Mt Rogers National Recreation Area also maintains some nice campgrounds. Look at them at southernregion.fs.fed.us/gwj/mr or click here.
This channel is all about camping, 5th wheel towing, reviews and outdoor adventures with my wife and 2 sons.
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FBI's Most Wanted captured in Damascus, Va.
My Trip to Damascus, Virginia
Damascus, Virginia hike! My friends and I travel the Appalachian Trail and camp out!
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2016 Family Bicycle Ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail Damascus VA
Some video we took on our trip down the creeper trail. Our camera literally bit the dust at one point so there isn't much footage of the second half of the trip. We had a lot of fun!