If you love outdoor adventures, then Damascus, VA is the place for you!
Known as “Trail Town USA” because of its meeting point of seven trails, including the Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail. This small rural community is all about outdoor recreation, from hiking to biking. In fact, it is one of our favorite Virginia mountain towns!
Almost everything revolves around accessing nearby trails, from the shops downtown to the restaurants available. The whole town feels young, adventurous, and fun.
This historic community has been around for centuries, but it was the railroad and the creation of the Appalachian Trail that started the surge of economic prosperity for the area.
Damascus is one of our favorite Virginia weekend getaways, and here is what we love to do in the area.
Rent a Bike and Explore the Virginia Creeper Trail
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34-mile long trail that stretches from Abingdon to Whitetop, near the VA/NC state line. It is the number one reason that visitors travel to Damascus all year long.
This multi-use rail-trail is at the heart of every visit to Damascus, and easy access to it makes it worth the trip. You will see old bridges, barns, gorgeous paths, and so much more. The pictures don’t even do it justice.
CLOSURE: After Hurricane Helene blew through the area in September 2024, the portion of the Virginia Creeper trail from Damascus to White Top was severely damaged and is currently closed. It is expected to take years to repair and no opening date has been announced, so be sure to check the current trail status before planning a visit.
The portion of the Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Damascus is still open!
Helpful Tip: Take a shuttle to Abingdon and bike back to Damascus! Why? Because it is a 3% downhill grade going to Damascus, but you will have to bike uphill if you leave from Damascus to go to Abingdon. If you stay at The Martha in Abingdon, they do have a shuttle service that will pick you up in Damascus after your bike ride.
Why is the trail called the Virginia Creeper? Well, legend has it that it is a combination of two things. First, the train cars packed with heavy equipment would creep up the train tracks in these mountainous regions. Second, there’s a plant called the Virginia creeper that grows like ivy and can take over the landscape if you let it.
Regardless of why the trail has that name, you are going to love the natural beauty that you will find along the route.
The trail is available for many uses, including hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, and fishing. But biking might be the most well-known use of the path.
If you are looking to rent a bike, check out Bicycle Junction, The Bike Station, or Sun Dog Outfitters in Damascus. All three of these businesses have amazing reviews from their customers and they all offer different services depending on your needs, from rentals to shuttle service to repairs.
The bike rental process is easy. You just had to leave a deposit and then when you returned the bike everything was taken care of. All the main rental places have helpful employees.
***As of December 2024, e-bikes are now allowed on the Virginia Creeper Trail.
Get a Craft Beer at Damascus Brewery
This brewery is family-friendly and offers games like cornhole and coloring books for the kids. The staff is great and will help you pick out a beer you’ll love. (My favorite was the slightly sweet Peach Fuzz.)
The Damascus Brewery is located on 2nd Street and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. (If you sit outside, you’ll have a gorgeous mountain view.)
The beer selection definitely has a home-brew feel and is always changing so there’s always something new to try.
Hike a Portion of the Appalachian Trail
This trail is so fun to explore just because it is so famous! AND, because the trail is located next to the sidewalk that goes through downtown!
If you are not familiar with the Appalachian Trail, it is a 2,190-mile long hiking trail that spans from Maine to Georgia. (For comparison, the Virginia Creeper Trail is only 34 miles.)
There are only 3 downtowns located along the ENTIRE trail, so Damascus is a pretty special location! (Hot Springs, NC and Hanover, New Hampshire are the other two towns.)
The Appalachian Trail runs right through Damascus, so it is easy to access and get on the trail, if only for a small hike.
While you might not be able to hike the whole thing in your lifetime, you can easily hike a portion of it while you are in town. And there are some great views along the way.
Eat at Damascus Old Mill Inn Restaurant
After a long day of exploring, you will probably be pretty hungry. The Damascus Old Mill Inn Restaurant is the perfect place to refuel.
Heck, even if you haven’t been biking or hiking, you need to visit the Damascus Old Mill Inn! Its location on a waterfall can’t be beat!
The restaurant is located in an old mill (hence the name) and has a really cool vibe. There are three outdoor decks overlooking the waterfall for a stunning view while dining or enjoying a cocktail from the bar.
There’s a craft beer pub and a bourbon bar inside, so there is a little something for everyone.
If you are looking for a great place to stay, they also have 17 rooms in the historic inn.
Shopping in Downtown Damascus
There are several shops in downtown Damascus where you can find handmade items, including pottery, jewelry, and quilts. It is the perfect place to find a unique souvenir or gift for someone back home.
You can also find locally made food items, like jams and jellies, at some of the shops. Plus, there are antique shops for vintage finds.
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
As if the trails running through town weren’t enough adventure, you can explore the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, as well!
There are over 200,000 acres of National Forest land surrounding the highest peak in Virginia, Mount Rogers.
The 3 highest peaks in the state are found in this wilderness area, including:
- Mount Rogers
- Whitetop Mountain
- Wilburn Ridge
In the recreation area you will find a lot of fishing and 500 miles of trails.
Damascus Trail Center
Explore the exhibits about the history and natural resources of the area at the Damascus Trail Center in downtown.
The modern building is a hub of resources, whether you are hiking the trails or just want to learn the best place for rest and rejuvenation.
We love the beautiful mural outside for photo ops!
Appalachian Heritage Distillery and Brewery
Whether you like beer or liquor, you will find both of them at the Appalachian Heritage Distillery and Brewery located along the Appalachian Trail.
Appalachian Trail Days Festival
Known as “Trail Days” by locals and hikers, this festival is the biggest event of the year in Damascus and the world’s largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture.
Each year, the town goess from 700 residents to an estimated 25,000 visitors for the festival!
The Appalachian Trail Days Festival is family-friendly, free to the public, and has a ton of activities, from shopping handmade goods and art to workshops, live music and dancing.
Don’t miss the hiker talent show or the hiker parade and water fight along Laurel Avenue! The drum
circle at Tent City is also a unique event during the festival.
Helpful Tips to Plan Your Visit
- Many restaurants and destinations are only open Thursday through Sunday. Be sure to check hours before planning your visit.
- Most of the fun in this town revolves around accessing nearby trails, so if that is your thing, you will definitely want to visit Damascus, VA.
- If you don’t like the outdoors, this won’t be your favorite place, trust us. We’d recommend checking out Middleburg or Lexington instead.