Trail to Trail Bicycle Route
Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area
Southwest Virginia, USA
1998
Description: This route circles the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (MRNRA) staring from the western gateway of the MRNRA in Damascus VA., to the eastern end of the MRNRA in Fries Va. The mid-way point of the Virginia Creeper Trail, a 34 mile Rail-Trail described by many as one of the nations most beautiful and popular Rail-Trails, is in the Town of Damascus. On the eastern end of this route at Fries VA., lies the southern tip of the New River Trail, a linear state park that runs along the New River. The New River is one of the oldest rivers in North America and one of the few that flows from south to north. The New River Trail stretches 57 miles from Fries/Galax to Pulaski VA. By following this route, it is possible to ride portions of both of these Rail-Trails.
The Trail to Trail Bicycle Route covers some of the most scenic portions of Grayson, Smyth, Carroll and Washington Counties in the mountainous region of southwestern Virginia. Cyclists will ride near the base of Virginia's two highest mountains, Mt. Rogers (elev. 5729) and Whitetop Mountain (elev. 5520) and through many of the scenic valleys within the Highlands area.
This route is mostly on paved roads with the exception of the portions on the New River Trail and the gravel roads leading into the campgrounds along the route. Total distance is approximately 150 miles, but may be shorter or longer depending on the route you choose. An off-road version of the Trail to Trail route is also being developed and should be finalized by the spring of 1999.
Maps: I used the Delorme Virginia Gazetter. The Mt. Rogers NRA Map would also be helpful as it shows the campgrounds. Local maps are available through the various County Tourism offices too.
| Start: From Damascus Virginia, take US 58 East to Konnarock. |
| At Konnarock: Bear left onto SR 603 to Troutdale. |
| In Troutdale turn right onto VA 16 to Grant. |
| * Turn left at Hoffman's Store onto SR 658 (see alternate route below) |
| Take SR 658 to right turn on SR 678 |
| SR 678 to left on SR 711. Follow SR 711 to the intersection with US 58. |
| Cross US 58 and stay on SR 711 at the US 58 / SR 711 Intersection |
| Follow SR 711 (east, the only option) along the New River until it intersects with US 58. |
| Right on US 58 and follow this through Independence, VA. |
| Turn left onto VA 274 heading toward Fries. |
| Turn left on VA 94 following signs for Fries |
| At Fries you will bear right, VA 94 bears left. Pass an old mill/factory on the river and just ahead on the right you will see the trailhead for the New River Trail State Park |
| Turn right and get onto the New River Trail. (Big Daddy's, a small restaurant here) |
| North on the New River Trail to the Byllesby Dam (appx. 9 miles) |
| (Note: at Byllesby Dam you can bear right on the gravel road SR 737, which will lead you to the New River Campground run by the USFS) |
| Left on SR 602 until it intersects VA 94 |
| Left on VA 94, up a very steep, but short, hill to SR 602 |
| At the top of the hill turn right on SR 602 |
| Take SR 602 into Cripple Creek VA. Get water at the Cripple Creek Grocery before you turn on SR 619. |
| At Cripple Creek, turn right onto SR 619 now heading toward the Raven Cliff Campground. (You will see the USFS signs for the campground.) This is a very nice campground except the water does not work here. |
| From Raven Cliff Campground: |
| Left on SR 619 toward Speedwell |
| At Speedwell, cross VA 21 onto SR 749 |
| Turn left on SR 612 |
| Bear left onto SR 614 at the end of SR 612 |
| Take SR 614 into Sugar Grove. (Follow 76 bike route signs.) |
| Turn left onto VA 16 then a quick right onto SR 601 |
| In Teas, turn left onto SR 670 |
| SR 670 merges with SR 650. Stay on SR 650, pass the Buller Fish Hatchery on the right. |
| Turn left onto SR 660 pass through Thomas Bridge |
| Turn right onto SR 605 (just past St. Clair's Bottom) |
| Take SR 605 all the way to VA 91 |
| Left on VA 91 into Damascus. |
| Left on US 58 through Damascus to the Town Park (look for Red Caboose) and the Virginia Creeper Trail. |
At the intersection of VA 16 and SR 658 in Grant, you can take SR 658 all the way to Elk Creek. At Elk Creek, turn left on VA 21 and take it to Speedwell. Resume the above route at Speedwell. You may wish to take this alternate route and camp at Raven Cliff at the end of the first day if you wish to stay out just one night.