The Creeper Trail

In honor of my son’s first boy scout camping trip one year ago, here’s a look back at our ride on the Creeper Trail in Virginia.

The Creeper Trail is a 35-mile trail that runs through southwestern Virginia. We started out from the campground at Whitetop. There were 15 scouts and 7 adults. We pedaled up a very short hill before the trail tilted over to an 18-mile stretch...that is all downhill. The surface is smooth gravel and was so steep in places that we had to ride the brakes. The first half of the ride was very steep. The second half leveled out to a pleasant downward slope that required some pedaling but not the constant attention to your brakes. It was also cold. My son didn’t wear his gloves (against my advice...sound familiar to parents?) and begged for mine at the first stop. I reluctantly gave them to him. Fortunately I found a little general store down the mountain that had gloves. Best $4 I've spent in a long time. Please don't tell him, but I would have paid a whooooole lot more.  

Train stops are scattered along the trail.

The boys at the first stop on the trail.

 

The Creeper trail used to be a railroad. There are old stations along the way, as well as track markers and bridges. The scenery is spectacular. There’s a river running along much of the trail. Several bridges cross it from varying heights, creating some of the best views.

A view of the river from the bridge.

One of the bridges.



The trail is a converted railroad line, complete with old markers.

I ended up riding with one of the younger scouts, who wasn't a strong biker. We reached the town of Damascus after the other scouts. The boys left to enjoy the Trail Days festival while some of the other dads and I found a good lunch spot. Riders can take shuttles back to various points on the trail, and the boys rode one back to the campsite. One of the other dads and I rode our bikes the 18 miles back. We started out from Damascus and the first half of the ride was great. It was slightly uphill, but not too hard to pedal. Halfway through it got much steeper and the pedaling much harder. Sweat was pouring off me and I stood much of the time. I normally do 18 miles on the bike in just over an hour, averaging 15-17 miles per hour. I managed a sizzling 6.9 miles per hour on that uphill return trip. It was an accomplishment. I've felt more relieved at the end of some rides...but not many.  



The scenery is fantastic.

I recommend the Creeper trail to anyone who enjoys biking on greenway trails. The gravel is smooth, residents and locals are friendly and good rental bikes are available, as well as shuttles if you just want a one-way trip. The scenery alone makes it worth the trip. I would advise researching the route before you leave and travel in daylight if you can. Cell service is spotty and you'll spend lots of time on twisty two-lane mountain roads.

Learn more about the Creeper Trail: http://www.vacreepertrail.com/