As Active SWV Bike/Walk’s Coordinator, I was recently invited to join some fellow West Virginians to visit and tour Damascus, Virginia, which has embraced its identity as a “Trail Town”. Damascus is in the Mount Rogers District of Southwest Virginia, about 10 miles off of Interstate Highway 81. Some very popular trails converge in Damascus including the Iron Mountain Trail, U.S. Bicycle Route 76, the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail and the Appalachian Trail. The trails provide an annual stream of hikers and bikers, from Spring to Fall, that are always eager to restock on needed gear and refuel at local restaurants after a long day on the trail. With many historical homes and buildings that have been remodeled into hostels and inns, the town welcomes its passing guests any time of the year. During its annual Trail Days Festival each May, Damascus welcomes 20,000+ visitors for a full weekend of activities. The festival serves a reunion for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and a gathering for all trail enthusiasts. Having heard many times and from many sources about the great things taking place in Damascus, I didn’t think twice about accepting the invitation and heading to Southwest Virginia for a few days of learning and trail riding.
The ride from Fayetteville to Damascus was slightly delayed by a search for a hitch adapter to properly secure a double bike rack to the rental vehicle, but thanks to smart phones one was soon enough found. Upon arrival, our whole group met together and became acquainted. Group members discussed their respective trail projects, asked lots of questions and offered many suggestions. Most of the others in the group are working on the Blackwater Canyon Trail project. With much of their trail already built and open for use, their biggest obstacle is a property access negotiation. Continued conversations between a local trail advocacy group and the property owners will be necessary to assure the project’s continued progression. I was there to learn more about one of the most popular Rails-to-Trails projects in the country, the Virginia Creeper Trail, and how a small Appalachian town has built a culture of physical activity and a sustainable local economy around it.
The second day the group took a shuttle to the top of the Virginia Creeper Trail and rode the 17 miles back to Damascus. Most of the group rented bikes from the same outfitter that provided the shuttle service (they didn’t have to worry about any hitch adapters). Damascus, a town of approximately 800 residents, possesses seven outfitters that rent bikes and set shuttle for the trail. I don’t know exactly how many shuttle vehicles (15 passenger vans) there are total in town, but I know I easily counted 30-40 on a short walk! Because we were there during the week, we did not witness the business that occurs on the summer weekends. Our ride was very nice and the trail was not crowded at all (we were told that locals don’t go anywhere near the trail on the weekends because of the crowd…..unless they are working for one of the shuttle companies). We were given a trail history lesson by a local trail volunteer before our ride. Along with lots of interesting history, we also learned that the outfitters pay a business fee to the Forest Service for using their trailhead for their shuttle service.
That afternoon, after the ride, we met with the Town Manager, who also works with the Mount Rogers Regional Planning District and serves as the planner for multiple communities in the region. He took us on a walking tour of the town and showed us plans for their expansion of trails, parks, and other public amenities. There are restaurants scattered throughout the downtown area and shops on every corner selling everything from hiking gear to used furniture and clothes. The town has leveraged grant funding to help property owners spruce up their buildings and paint storefronts. By the end of the tour, it was very evident that the town of Damascus is charting its own course, and the whole time I couldn’t help but think about all the towns in southern West Virginia that could go down the same path.
Andy Davis, Active SWV Bike/Walk Coordinator
For more photos from the trip, follow this link to the full album on our Facebook page: (Active SWV Bike/Walk goes to Damascus, VA)
