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Virginia

Bike Virginia Creeper Trail: Nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Program No. 11662RJ

Bike the Virginia Creeper Trail — a rail trail through forest and over restored trestles. Learn about ecology and historic towns, and attend a performance at Barter Theatre.

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Protecting the Environment

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5 days

4 nights

11 meals

4B 3L 4D

Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation

Abingdon, VA

Whitetop Station - Damascus, Creeper Trail Talk, Performance

Abingdon, VA

Bike Abingdon to Damascus, Barter Theater

Abingdon, VA

Bike the Mendota Trail, Abingdon Winery, Farewell Dinner

Abingdon, VA

Program Concludes

Abingdon, VA

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At a Glance

Ride the beautiful Blue Ridge highlands of Virginia on expert-led bicycle rides to experience rich history and its variety of nature. Bike through cool forests and over high, wooden railroad bridges on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a scenic retired corridor of the Virginia-Carolina Railroad.

Activity Level

Outdoor: Spirited

Biking 12-20 miles daily on mostly level terrain. Mountain bikes provided. Elevations up to 5,520 feet.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

Bike the entire 35-mile Virginia Creeper Trail, plus enjoy a ride on the scenic Mendota Trail.
Explore centuries-old architecture and history in the picturesque small town of Abingdon. Now adorned with boutiques, restaurants, and galleries, Abingdon was once an important destination amongst settlers bound for the new American frontier.
Enjoy the historic and culturally-rich town of Abingdon, Virginia.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for light exercise, interaction with the local community, a farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event and a value-priced single room. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Abbigail Moore

Abbie Moore grew up attending programs at the Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center. She is a certified instructor in archery, a team-building and low ropes facilitator, and trained in administering Project Learning Tree(™) curriculum. Abbie works professionally in the field of youth development and has a master’s degree from Clemson University in youth development leadership. Having graduated from James Madison University with an undergraduate degree in modern foreign language (Spanish), Abbie is passionate about promoting cultural literacy and language learning throughout the local community.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Abbigail Moore View biography

Suggested Reading List (7 books)

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You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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Bike Virginia Creeper Trail: Nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Program Number: 11662

Virginia Creeper Trail Companion The: Nature and History Along Southwest Virginia's National Recreation Trail

by Edward Davis & Edward Morgan

This guidebook will enable the user to understand the trails origin as an important railroad and the natural world encountered along this scenic route. With photos, old train schedules, detailed maps, and es-says on geology, trees, wildflowers, fish, birds, and mammals, the companion will enhance the trail experience for anyone who travels this route.

Virginia Highlands

by Susan J. Harrington

This book highlights the history of the local region, including Wythe, Smyth, Grayson, and Washington Counties.

Washington County

by Donna Akers Warmuth

Washington County provides an intricate visit to yesteryear, with over 200 historic scenes of this rural region. Highlights include beautiful photos of The Virginia Creeper trains and the communities of Damascus, Meadowview, and Glade Spring.

Virginia Rail Trails: Crossing the Commonwealth

by Joe Tennis

These classic rail lines of Virginia that were once only accessible to train engineers or a few lucky passengers can now be enjoyed by anyone looking for a scenic hike or bike ride. The trails highlight the natural beauty of Old Dominion, from the sunrise side of the Eastern Shore to the setting sun at the Cumberland gap, and each trail, with names like the "Virginia Creeper" and the "Dick & Willie," has a personality and grandeur all its own.

The Virginia Creeper Trail Companion

by Edward H. Davis & Edward B. Morgan

With photos, historic train schedules, and detailed maps, this guidebook enables the user to understand the Virginia Creeper Trail’s origin as an important railroad. Also included are essays on the region’s geology, trees, wildflowers, fish, birds, and mammals. The combination of the historical perspective and the modern natural science in The Companion will enhance the trail experience for anyone who travels the Virginia Creeper Trail. This book is available at the SWVA 4-H Educational Center to read.

Abingdon, Virginia - Then and Now

by Donna Gayle Akers

This book contains around 200 historic photographs taken over the past century of Abingdon’s many well-known town entities, personalities, and businesses. The Stonewall Jackson Female Institute, Martha Washington Inn, and the Barter Theatre are all included in this beautiful celebration of Abingdon’s heritage.

Back in the Frame: How to get back on your bike, whatever life throws at you

by Jools Walker

Jools Walker re-discovered cycling aged twenty-eight after a ten-year absence from the saddle. When she started blogging about her cycle adventures under the alias Lady Vélo, a whole world was opened up to her. But it's hard to find space in an industry not traditionally open to women - especially women of color. Shortly after getting back on two wheels, Jools was diagnosed with depression and then, in her early thirties, hit by a mini-stroke. Yet, through all of these punctures, one constant remained: Jools' love of cycling.

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Bike Virginia Creeper Trail: Nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains

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At a Glance

Best of all, you’ll…

General Notes

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