Home › Virginia › Afton › Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 647 Google reviews · Running trail in Afton, Virginia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead
“The path is wide, well-maintained, and almost completely flat, which made it perfect for walking with kids.”
“East trailhead to the tunnel wasn't very scenic but the plaques with the tunnel's history are nice to read along the walk.”
“The path is gravel and an easy walk, about on half mile to the tunnel.”
“The trail is well maintained, dog-friendly, and makes for a memorable outing.”
Awesome little hike! I think it's about a 1/4 mile to the tunnel from the afton side, but it's a comfortable walk to the tunnel. The tunnel is awesome! It's nice and cool in there, and such an awesome experience walking through the tunnel. Bring a head lamp or flashlight, it's pitch black in there!
We heard about this from a local and decided to check it out since it was so close to where we were staying. But ... since this hadn't been in our plans (nor did we even know about it), we didn't have a flashlight or headlamp. So, we only walked part of the tunnel and then came back out.
I've accessed the tunnel from the west and the East. The east side is the easiest but it's the longest walk before you get to the tunnel. The first time I walked through the tunnel I got a level 3 ankle sprain so I'm trying it again!
We saw this place on the History Channel and knew we wanted to visit. The Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead is super convenient for travelers. They provide a large parking area and a great many historic signs about the project. The path is gravel and an easy walk, about on half mile to the tunnel.
Trail conditions & character
“East trailhead to the tunnel wasn't very scenic but the plaques with the tunnel's history are nice to read along the walk.”
“East trailhead to the tunnel wasn't very scenic but the plaques with the tunnel's history are nice to read along the walk.”
“When you first walk in and see the light at the end of the tunnel, it doesn't seem like it is as long as it is.”
“Very interesting walk with a little bit of elevation gain outside the tunnel on the west side with a couple short steep spots.”
“The trail is well maintained, dog-friendly, and makes for a memorable outing.”
“Interesting to see the changes from rock to concrete to brick.”
“The path is wide, well-maintained, and almost completely flat, which made it perfect for walking with kids.”
“The trail is stroller-friendly and not too long, making it a great choice for families with younger children or anyone looking for an easier walk.”
“The path is gravel and an easy walk, about on half mile to the tunnel.”
Plan your run at Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenelsoncounty.com
- Phone(434) 263-7130
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Afton
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 170 reviews
Hiking trail leading to a historical tunnel requiring a flashlight to explore.
Rockfish Gap Entrance Station
4.7 ★★★★★ 258 reviews
Public park offering scenic overlooks, kid-friendly hiking trails, and opportunities for biking.
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, West Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 278 reviews
This gravel hike through the woods and farmland leads to a tunnel that was formerly part of the Virginia Central Railroad.
Constitution Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 390 reviews
Kid-friendly park alongside the South River featuring a playground, a picnic shelter and a riverside trail.
Rife Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews