Appalachian Trail Hikers: Take a Break in Washington County, VA
Find rest, stock up on supplies, grab some great cuisine and get vital information during your pit stop.
They say a journey of 1,000 miles – or in the case of the Appalachian Trail, 2,198 miles – begins with a single step. But at some point, even the hardiest of Appalachian Trail hikers need to take a break from all that stepping. And one of the best places to rest and recharge on the A.T. is Washington County.
In This Article
Explore Delightful Damascus
Not only is Washington County widely regarded as one of the most hiker-friendly communities along the Appalachian Trail, the town of Damasus is among only three communities on the entire trail in which the A.T. passes directly through a downtown. As a result, businesses throughout the area, including in nearby towns such as Abingdon and Glade Spring, make an extra effort to welcome the travelers.
“Hikers are some of the best people you’ll ever meet,” says Ralph Wilson, who owns both Damascus Diner and Dragonfly Inn. “They’re very in tune with the environment. When they say leave no trace and have no worries, those are not cliches to them. They live by it. They may be a little dirty and smelly when they get here, but when they leave, we make sure they’re all good.”
One way Wilson does that is by offering Appalachian Trail hikers what he calls “trail magic” in the form of cookies and brownies. Meanwhile, over at A Likely Yarn, a knit and crochet shop in Abingdon, hikers can pick up free hats that are pinned to the white picket fence in front of the store.
“Hikers are a delightful group of people to deal with,” shop owner Lucy Stewart says. “We have cold bottles of water in the fridge for them, and we bake cookies. We always love having hikers come in. They’re a tremendous benefit to our business.”
Whether hikers are making a brief stop while passing through or staying for a longer visit, there is plenty to see and do in Washington County. Here is a sample of what’s available. Consider it a step-by-step guide to exploring the region.
Get Informed
The new Damascus Trail Center, a collaboration between the town and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, provides visitors with a wide range of outdoor resources available throughout the region, including information about area attractions, backcountry skills and trail conservation.
“The Trail Center is able to highlight and amplify everything that we have around us,” says Julie Kroll, recreation program director for the Town of Damascus. “You can pick up local maps, find out about local activities and get local advice. It’s a great place for uniting visitors and locals and connecting them with our outdoor recreation resources.”
Stock Up
There are several outdoor stores throughout the region for Appalachian Trail hikers to replenish their gear, including Mt. Rogers Outfitters and Damascus Outfitters. Plus, Mt. Rogers Outfitters as well as Adventure Damascus Bike Rental & Shuttle Co. are among the businesses that offer shuttle service to area trailheads.
“We truly cater to outdoor recreation here and have everything that folks would need,” Kroll says.
Chow Down
A lengthy hike can certainly work up an ample appetite. The Damascus Diner serves tasty meals seven days a week, from eggs and French toast in the morning to burgers and veggies throughout the day.
“Hikers aren’t shy when they come in to eat,” Wilson says. “Sometimes they’ll eat more than one meal at a time.”
The diner neighbors coffee shops, craft beverage destinations and other local restaurants. Appalachian Heritage Distillery helps hikers keep their spirits up, highlighted by their award-winning vodka. And when it comes time to venture back onto the trail, you can pick up groceries at Food City.
Washington County celebrates the outdoors with the annual Appalachian Trail Days event, held in May.
Known as a “tramily” (trail family) reunion, more than 20,000 people regularly make the trek to Damascus for three days of music, food and camaraderie.
“It’s one big celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture,” Kroll says. “It’s a chance to show what a friendly community we are, and how we’re all focused on the trails that pass through here.”
Take a Hike, Score an A
Washington County is known for beautiful scenery, so both Emory & Henry College and Virginia Highlands Community College are appealing to their student bodies by offering courses where students can have adventurous learning experiences hiking in the great outdoors.
E&H’s Semester-A-Trail program lets students earn credit for hiking long sections of the Appalachian Trail. Students can choose the Option A course that features a 474-mile hike from Springer Mountain to Damascus, taking place from early March until completion in late April. The Option B course features a through-hike that happens during summer as students conquer the entire 2,198-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine.
“With both options, students are hiking and camping on the trail for as long as it takes to complete their individual journey,” says Jim Harrison, E&H director of outdoor programs. “Being on the trail for long periods of time can be physically and mentally challenging yet rewarding and life-changing.”
Harrison says students take about six weeks to complete Option A, while Option B students take about five months to hike the trail.
Get to Know Washington County
Want to learn more about living and working in Washington County, VA? Check out the latest edition of Livability Washington County, Virginia.
