In addition to the Creeper Trail, many other trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding crisscross the region.
Families with children of all ages enjoy the Creeper Trail.
Eight decades later, Barter’s unique heritage is celebrated with at least two performances a year when patrons can barter for their tickets with a donation of canned goods for an area food bank. In addition to the Virginia Creeper Trail, there are many other ways you can try out the trails. Mountain Biking: There are hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails. The most prominent of these is the Iron Mountain Trail. Once a portion of the famous Appalachian Trail before they rerouted it slightly south in 1972, expect typical Appalachian topography with a fair amount of elevation gain. Rhododendron-tunnels, creek-crossings, and rock gardens are all present. Horseback Riding: The Virginia Highlands Horse Trail (marked with 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 Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (NRA). The Mount Rogers NRA offers outstanding opportunities for horseback riding, including over 200 miles of trail open to equestrians. With the exception of the Appalachian Trail (marked with white paint blazes) and a few others (clearly marked), all trails in the NRA are open to horses.
Fly Fishing: Whitetop Laurel Creek fishes best from April to June. There are two sections of Whitetop Laurel Creek that are specially regulated for wild trout only. Above and below the regulated sections are stocked trout areas. Hiking: Grayson Highlands State Park is a must visit for any hiker. Every one of the trails offers amazingly beautiful and diverse scenery. The AT-Pine Mountain Trail loop is reminiscent of big-sky country out west, with wild ponies and rocky outcroppings that resemble a Mongolian Steppe. Trust me, you’ll never forget your first visit to these two cities crisscrossed with trails to satisfy every outdoor person’s bucket list.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Virginia Creeper Trail: www.vacreepertrail.org Visit Damascus: www.visitdamascus.org Visit Abingdon: http://visitabingdonvirginia.com
TRAILS OF TWO CITIES
COAST TO COAST SUMMER MAGAZINE 2018
32
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online