how long is the blue ridge tunnel trail

Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail Description On the Waynesboro end, the route gets steep, with an average grade of 6.5% and a maximum grade of 19%. "This is definitely safe where we're going," district supervisor Allen Hale said in 2015. As others mentioned, parking is limited, but hikers are coming out regularly so its not much to wait for a space. The parkway, which is America's longest linear park, [3] runs for 469 miles (755 km) through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When the tunnel was completed in 1858, it was the longest railroad tunnel in North America. Hiking Time: Elev. P.O. At this time, there are no plans to light the tunnel, so visitors are urged to bring headlamps and/or flashlights. It opened to rail traffic in April 1858, and was considered to be one of the engineering wonders of the modern world. (Spring 2011), p.10-11. The former railroad tunnel is 4,273-feet-long and approximately 700 feet below the surface at its deepest point. ]: History Press, 2014. It is 4,264 feet long. The roadway and the land leading to the trailhead/park is privately owned and visitors should obey all parking signage. The inside of the tunnel is extremely nice but the sides do tend to get washed out from the water. Can you bike the Blue Ridge Tunnel trail? Gain: Links: Resources. In the wild and in large numbers, all of those tiny molecules react with natural ozone molecules already in the air to form new particles and scatter blue light from the sun. Its precisely that scattering of light that creates the bluish, hazy effect the eye can detect over the mountains. . Designed by Claudius Crozet and opened in 1858 at the time it was the the longest rail tunnel in North America. As the . Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 56 min to complete. Kudos to Nelson County Parks and Recreation for several excellent interpretive signs on each end of the route, as well as safety and regulatory signs, including a reminder to bring a flashlight. The distance between the two spans just under 3 miles and is punctuated with interpretive markers that tell the story dating back to the 1850s of the rail line and tunnel's origins. We each had cheap (dim) camping headlights - but fortunately I also had a small hand-held flashlight in the car, and I held it on the ride. Blue Ridge is a census-designated place (CDP) in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States. Blue Ridge Tunnel among nine sites added to Virginia Landmarks Register Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail | Afton Mountain Bed & Breakfast When completed in 1858 after nearly nine years of construction, the 4,273 foot Blue Ridge Tunnel was the longest tunnel in the United States. Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail Viginia for Hikers | East & West Trailhead Check or FAQs for more common login questions. This is a relatively easy trail for all ages and abilities. How long does it take to walk through the Blue Ridge Tunnel? Photo: Malcolm Andrews. But know that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel so I wasnt claustrophobic,as I had feared. John Rutter was supposed to complete the large Blue Ridge Tunnel, while John Kelly was responsible for the others. Blue Ridge Tunnel: Hike Through a Historic Railroad Tunnel From the entrance of the tunnel you can see the "light at the end" - but it is way in the distance, and the tunnel is VERY DARK inside. Lyons, Mary E. The Blue Ridge Tunnel: a remarkable engineering feat in antebellum Virginia. The Blue Ridge Tunnel itself has a gruesome, rough and interesting history. One 17-feet portion of the east side is lined with brick up to 6 courses thick to prevent the rock from falling. Tunnel Clearances. The Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail: A 2-Mile Hike Through The Mountains And please respect the private property around the area and only park in designated spots. The C&O Railroad was subsequently sold to Collis Potter Huntington.[3]. For biking it was refreshing, but several of the hikers wore jackets. Please be cognizant inside the tunnel of other visitors and beware of uneven ground. While this trail is good, you better get there early. We took headlamps and it made the trek easy. [9], When completed, the Blue Ridge Tunnel was the longest in the United States and one of the longest tunnels in the world, a remarkable feat of engineering. Julian Hooper has been hiking for many years. The project incorporates an access trail through the restored tunnel and new trailheads on both sides of the Blue Ridge with access for hikers, walkers, bicyclists, and others. To learn how you can support this community landmark and outstanding recreational resource please visit Blue Ridge Tunnel Foundation. Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail VISIT NELSON COUNTY Note: Maximum height shown is at centerline stripe of the road. The Blue Ridge Tunnel (also known as the Crozet Tunnel) is a historic railroad tunnel built during the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad in the 1850s. Lots of history! Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 56 minto complete. PDF Blue Ridge Tunnel Rehabilitation and Trail Project It was not crowded when we visited, but based on the "NO PARKING" signs on the east trailhead - be advised to ONLY park in the designated parking lot - which appeared to hold about 20 cars. The tunnel was the westernmost and longest of four tunnels engineered by Claudius Crozet to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains at Rockfish Gap in central Virginia. Crozet's Blue Ridge Tunnel Now Open to the Public Great For: Families, cooling off in summer, history.. The Virginia Board of Public Works, founded in 1816, supported numerous internal improvements in the state, owning part of the Virginia Central in stock as well as virtually all of the Blue Ridge Railroad. The parking lots on both the east and west end of the trail are small, but the west end does offer more room. We ended up parking at the post office. Nevermind the part where I thought about calling Waynesboro Police to come pick me up on the way back to the car, LMAO! Check out this 4.5-mile out-and-back trail near Afton, Virginia. In 1868 the Virginia Central was merged with another state-chartered railroad, the Covington and Ohio Railroad, to create the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (renamed Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in 1878). 50 degree year round. The tunnel and western trail will remain open during this time. Length: 4.5 miles (Less if you only do the tunnel portion) . Like most largescale and dangerous construction projects during that era, the tunnel was dug by hand (dynamite not yet . Directions & Map VISIT NELSON COUNTY Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail 215 Afton Depot Lane, Afton VA 22920 Directions From I-64: Take Afton Exit 99. There are trailheads at either end of the trail. The old Blue Ridge Tunnel has since been named a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1976. The tunnel was completed in April 1858. Irish and enslaved craftsman and laborers excavated the tunnel using hand drills and black powder." It is currently planned to be used as part of a rail trail project. Visit Plan My Visit for rules, directions and general information to make the most of your tunnel experience. [S.l. West Trailhead West Tunnel Portal (entrance) to Western Trailhead: Length 4,279 feet (0.81 miles); net change in elevation +175 feet; grades range from -17% to +19% for lengths of 150+feet with grades over 5% for a majority of the trail; average grade is 6.5% max grade 19%. Tunnel History VISIT NELSON COUNTY A civil engineer of considerable skill, Crozet had identified the eventual route as early as 1839. From the Afton trailhead, its a 0.6-mile hike to the eastern portal. 56 parking spaces. High ceilings very clean. CSX Transportation generously donated the tunnel to Nelson County in 2007; federal and state funds were used to renovate the tunnel and construct the trails. The flashlight is a nice addition to the hike, though, as you are able to see the differences in the tunnel as you progress from one end to the other. Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Foundation. The old tunnel was opened as a hiking trail in 2020. How long is Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail? | Hiker Rest Stop Although bikes are permitted on the trail, its advisable to walk your bike in the tunnel due to foot traffic and the uneven surface of the tunnel floor. The tunnel was less than 6 inches (150mm) off perfect alignment when it was holed through on December 29, 1856. My family and I took our Husky with us and all had an enjoyable day. It was time to bond with nature and there were so many lessons. Blue Ridge Tunnel Hike. Both Interstate 64 and U. S. 250 cross over the tunnel at Rockfish Gap. The tunnel is the longest of those constructed by Claudius Crozet during the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad. It runs mostly along the spine of the Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. Spanning nearly a mile long, it was the longest tunnel in America at the time of its completion. The population was 3,185 at the 2020 census. We began at the Afton end and although we arrived before 10am all parking was taken. [15], The Blue Ridge Tunnel - A remarkable Engineering Feat in Antebellum Virginia by Mary E. Lyons -, List of tunnels documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Virginia, History of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, "Inside the Blue Ridge Tunnel: The historic railroad tunnel, built in the 1850s, is set to become a walking trail, "INTO THE DARKNESS: UVA ROBOT MAPS HISTORIC TUNNEL", Blue Ridge Railroad, Blue Ridge Tunnel, U.S. Route 250 at Rockfish Gap, Afton vicinity, Nelson County, VA, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, Blue Ridge Tunnel, Highway 250 at Rockfish Gap, Afton vicinity, Nelson County, VA, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue_Ridge_Tunnel&oldid=1089303861, Buildings and structures in Augusta County, Virginia, Buildings and structures in Nelson County, Virginia, Historic American Engineering Record in Virginia, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Abandoned, replaced by new tunnel currently in operation. At 4,237 feet (1,291 m) in length, the tunnel was the longest tunnel in the United States at the time of its completion. The Blue Ridge Tunnel was constructed between 1850 and 1858 beneath Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. Can you bike the Blue Ridge Tunnel trail? 2.5 hours from Washington, D.C. - 3 hours from Tidewater and just 90 miles west of Richmond, the Crozet Tunnel Greenway lies waiting to be discovered. The entire trail is very well maintained. Hale hopes to begin Phase II some time this year. Augusta Historical Bulletin. ; Bridget Callaghan; Mary Callaghan O'Connell; Thomas Callaghan; Dennis Callaghan; John Callaghan; Michael Callaghan; Mary Ann Marmion. Trail fully ADA accessible. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. Virginias natural areas have small parking areas, some as few as 8-10 spaces. To protect its investment and enable transportation, the State then incorporated and financed the Blue Ridge Railroad to accomplish the hard and expensive task of crossing the Blue Ridge mountain barrier to the west. For spring / summer visitors - bear in mind the temperature in the interior of the tunnel is cooler (about mid 50s to mid 60s year round) compared to the high 70s on our visit day. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! As an added bonus it snowed! We then turned around and repeated the trip back to our car. The tunnel is located at the convergence of the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Parks Skyline Drive, the northern entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, and U. S. Bicycle Route 76. Know that they mean it when they say lights are required. Tunnels - Blue Ridge Parkway Make sure to have a flashlight as it is pitch black in the tunnel. It's neat to be able to basically coast the entire tunnel, as the grade helps considerably. Check out this 4.5-mile out-and-back trail near Afton, Virginia. The Blue Ridge Tunnel opened to traffic three months later on April 13, 1858. The gravel trail is easy and smooth when starting in the east (Afton) and through the tunnel. 2-Day Trail and Camp Self-Drive Off-Road Experience 2 Road Trip from $399.99 per group (up to 4) Family Ride & Wine Tours from $80.00 per adult Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO) from $49.60 per adult (price varies by group size) Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO) from $49.60 In Afton, parking can be found at 215 Afton Depot Lane. Encountered about a dozen pedestrians in each direction, but my teenage daughter and I were the only ones on bikes. Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail - Raising Charlottesville After 1.5miles, take a sharp right onto VA-6 East. On the west end, the trail parking is located at 483 Three Notched Highway, Waynesboro. The Chesapeake and Ohio routed trains through the tunnel until it was abandoned and replaced by a new tunnel in 1944. [8], Records show that about 800 Irishmen and 40 enslaved African American laborers worked on the tunnel and there were 189 recorded deaths during its construction including men, women, and children who died during a cholera epidemic in 1854. Blue Ridge Tunnel in Afton, Virginia - Sweet Pea Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail Multi Trail - Waynesboro, VA - Trailforks The Blue Ridge Railroad was incorporated by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1849 with Claudius Crozet as chief engineer. The tunnel is located at the convergence of the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Parks Skyline Drive, the northern entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, and U. S. Bicycle Route 76. Does Rattlesnake Canyon have rattlesnakes? Although only 2.25 miles long, the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail has plenty of wow factor. Phase I will be a footpath from the former Afton rail depot to a concrete bulwark 700 feet into the tunnel. The tunnel trail can be accessed from two different points. Rail service reached Charlottesville by 1851; westward, the railroad closely followed the alignment of the ancient Three Notch'd Road. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset. Remember that the hike from the west end is more challenging due to the steeper grades on that end. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. "From Skibbereen to Staunton: Callaghans at the Blue Ridge Tunnel". The steep grade of the western trailhead may limit access to people with limited mobility. How long is Afton tunnel? Minimum height shown is at edge stripe. There are better trails without the parking and crowd hassles. Location: Afton, VA. The Blue Ridge Tunnel is a historic railroad tunnel built during the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad in the 1850s. The Blue Ridge Tunnel was built from 1850 to 1858 for the Blue Ridge Railroad. Elevation Gain: 400 ft from the west parking lot, negligible from the east parking lot. The tunnel is open for public access from sunrise to sunset. The 12-spot parking lot will be closed for construction from April 12-May 4, 2021. Rather than attempting the more formidable Swift Run Gap, the state-owned Blue Ridge Railroad built over the mountains at the next major gap to the south, Rockfish Gap near Afton Mountain. According to the News & Advance archives, the $450,000 required for Phase II has already been raised. [10], During the American Civil War, the infantry under Confederate General Stonewall Jackson earned the nickname "foot cavalry" by traveling very quickly across the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the consternation of the Union leaders opposing them. Take a right onto 250 East. Blue Ridge Tunnel VISIT NELSON COUNTY Where is the Blue Ridge . If you still have questions please contact Nelson County Parks & Recreation at 434-263-7130. The tunnel was used by the Virginia Central Railroad from its opening to 1868, when the line was reorganized as the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (renamed Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in 1878). How hard is the Blue Ridge Tunnel trail? | Hiker Rest Stop How long does it take to walk the Afton tunnel? The tunnel IS this trail, so come prepared to read the signs, think about its history, and then experience the beautiful setting immediately adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Rockfish Gap. On my bucket list. At 4,237 feet (1,291m) in length, the tunnel was the longest tunnel in the United States at the time of its completion. This would be a great hike for peop. Hiking Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina Check out this 4.5-mile out-and-back trail near Afton, Virginia. The Blue Ridge Railroad was incorporated by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1849 with Claudius Crozet as chief engineer. The tunnel requires a light of some sort because while you can see the end, you are walking for about .84 miles in darkness. This didn't bother us on our bikes. The nearly mile-long tunnel was constructed between 1849 and 1858. The Blue Ridge Tunnel trail system offers two access points to the tunnel: The western trailhead is situated just east of Waynesboro at 483 Three Notched Mountain Highway and has 20 spaces and 2 oversized areas for small buses. The tunnel was used until 1944 when it was replaced with an adjacent tunnel to accommodate larger trains. It was abandoned during World War II when a new tunnel was bored to accommodate larger trains. The tunnel is why we came here - and is definitely the attraction. Rode this on a BEAUTIFUL Friday afternoon at the start of the Memorial Day Weekend in May 2022. Description. Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail Opened in November of 2020, the 2.25-miles-long Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail passes through a 4,700-foot tunnel bored through the Blue Ridge Mountains between Afton and Waynesboro. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. [10], The Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Foundation secured a $749,000 grant through the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Commonwealth Transportation Board to begin Phase I of the project to reopen the long-closed tunnel with a bike path and hiking trail. Blue Ridge Tunnel East Trailhead - Tripadvisor Both Interstate 64 and U. S. 250 cross over the tunnel at Rockfish Gap. We decided to take this trail because it goes through an abandoned railroad tunnel. See link below for the interesting history of this tunnel and rail line. Despite the light visible at the end of the tunnel, you should come prepared with a flashlight or headlamp as the tunnel is not lit. After nearly 20 years of effort by Nelson County, the rail trail passes through a 4,700-foot tunnel bored through the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, originally constructed between 1850 and 1858. Box 2136. The east trail is fully accessible, primarily flat and offers views of the active railroad line. 215 Afton Depot Lane, Afton VA 22920. Pedestrians and bicyclists can now explore the 2.25 mile-long trail that includes being able to walk through the restored railroad tunnel that lies over 700 feet below the Blue Ridge Mountains at Rockfish Gap. Directions & Maps Trail & Park Rules Return to all hikes The downhills were short and thrilling. As the tunnel isn't lit, visitors should bring a headlamp or flashlight to enjoy the experience (we have headlamps available for guest use). Blue Ridge Parkway Tunnel Heights. Its purpose was to provide a crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the Virginia Central Railroad into the Shenandoah Valley. The town of Crozet, Virginia is named after him. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources announced Sept. 22 the . Traveling through the long, dark tunnel will be a stirring experience for a variety of visitors from across the Commonwealth and beyond: hikers and cyclists of every level, wildlife watchers, history enthusiasts, railroad buffs, heritage tourists, school children on field trips, and nearby residents. Two contractors were hired to build the tunnels. Overseen by Crozet, the crossing was accomplished by building four tunnels, including the 4,237-foot (1,291m) Blue Ridge Tunnel near the top of the pass. He has climbed some of the most difficult trails and has also completed the Appalachian Trail. It is 4,264 feet long. The trail and tunnel were opened to the public in 2020. At 4,237 feet in length, the tunnel was the longest tunnel in the United States at the time of its completion. Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail What at amazing tunnel. Since the trail is quite popular, trail managers recommend visiting during the week in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. The tunnel and western trail will remain open during this time.