Blue Ridge Tunnel Rail Trail Now Open to Hikers in Virginia | The 4,237' Tunnel was Built in 1850s

We found a hidden trail gem when our plans had to shift to due snow and ice at Shenandoah National Park. This gem was the newly opened trail that passed through the century-and-a-half old Blue Ridge Tunnel.

Our first task when we arrived at Shenandoah National Park was to hike to the top of Old Rag Mountain. We accomplished this (see our other video) and at the summit is where it began to snow. On the hike down, frozen precipitation continued. While the snow create a wonderfully beautiful landscape, it had some undesirable consequences. Road closures! Upon realization that we would not have access to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park nor the Blue Ridge Parkway, the AllTrails app showed us that 700 feet below the place where these two historic roads converge (also known as Rockfish Gap), is a mid 19th century rail tunnel that only recently became a public trail.

The Blue Ridge Tunnel was constructed between 1850 and 1858, penetrating the Blue Ridge Mountains to enable rail access through Afton Mountain. Upon completion, the 4,273 foot long tunnel was the longest in North America. After 80+ years of rigorous use, it was replaced by a slightly larger tunnel in 1944 to accommodate larger locomotives. Soon thereafter, Dixie Bottled Gas Corporation built bulkheads in the tunnel with the intention to store propane. This plan never came to fruition. In 2001 a new plan to create a trail through the tunnel began. In 2007 CSX Transportation generously donated the tunnel to Nelson County. The bulkheads were finally removed in 2019 and the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail was open to the public in 2020. Only 2.25 miles long, the trail has plenty of wow factor, mesmerizing hikers, bikers, runners, and history buffs alike. It was a blast!

Видео Blue Ridge Tunnel Rail Trail Now Open to Hikers in Virginia | The 4,237' Tunnel was Built in 1850s канала Cris&Cale