Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead

We went to the East entrance. It was a fun walk for our 4 year old and a stroller for our baby. We are not hikers, so you know if we do it, it's not too hard.

There are benches to rest or nurse the baby on the trail to the tunnel.

Don't forget your flashlights! You want lights in the tunnel. It's a fun experience!

This is a great trail and worth the stop. The tunnel entrance is about a half mile walk from the parking lot. The tunnel itself is about .87/mil in length. So, just the tunnel out and back is nearly 2.5 miles roundtrip. An easy walk that took us about an hour and half with stops inside the tunnel to check it out. A headlamp/flashlight is a must if you want to really see what's in there.

I enjoyed it tremendously. The tunnel was scary for some of the children, but exciting for the adventurous children. Flashlight for all children individually is recommended.

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! This is a great hike! Go check it out!

The east entrance is flat and densely packed rock, so it is very stroller friendly. The west entrance has a steep decline getting down to the tunnel - something a couple bikers were kind enough to point out when they saw me making my way towards the entrance with my dog and stroller. East entrance has plenty of parking and porta-potties. The trail is very well marked, including distance signs, and fun facts along the way for those who enjoy reading. Trail is very easy, however, more than a phone flashlight is highly recommended for the tunnel itself as it is DARK. It is also quite chilly (significant temp drop from the 85⁰ temp outdoors) - I'm grateful my son had a long sleeve, footed onesie and hat, or he would have been cold. The tunnel itself is relatively smooth but it is grooved in areas from water. There is running water and dripping water from the tunnel archway throughout, so do not be surprised to get wet. It's a little eery for little ones (my kiddo slept through most of it), and even my dog was a little on edge, but it was fun and worth the stop. Budget about an hour and 30 minutes.

Excellent afternoon hike location. Very easy trail and plenty of parking. Definitely recommend taking a good flashlight along as the tunnel itself is very dark without one. Trail wasn't extremely busy but there were others out enjoying the day. Trail from parking lot to tunnel is very easy with a very slight incline but not really noticable.

Historic landmark. Well provided with clear and honest historical placards. Take a headlamp or flashlight.

Quirky on one hand, but also super meaningful when one thinks of the effort and lives lost during its construction, which took over nine years!! Many Orish immigrants and also slave labor utilized to make this nearly 1-mile tunnel through solid rock. Says flashlights are required, but I recommend turning them off for the trip or at least a portion to experience God's creation as it was in the past when this tunnel was dug. Awesome!

This is a Virginia favorite for me and a place that is perfect to take people from out of town and out of state to enjoy. The history of this site is incredible and it is worth reading the plaques around the area. budget about 2 hours to walk down to the tunnel, through one way, back the other way, and back up to your car. Even if it is a warmer month, bring a layer for the tunnel, it stays quite cool inside. When busy parking gets a bit squirrely.

Super super cool hike. The hike in is pretty mild, and inside the tunnel is surely worth it. It was mid 80s outside, and probably mid 60s inside the tunnel. The running mountain water makes the inside cool, and you can even dip your head in some of the drips to cool your head off. The tunnel floor is a little irregular but not a problem if you have a flashlight - bring a flashlight.

This had been on our list of places to visit for a while. Wouldn't mind coming back in the fall! Bring your headlamps & flashlights you won't be able to see! In the center it is completely dark.

There are two parking areas, we chose the East Trailhead Parking as we had little ones. It's about a .6 mile flat and graveled walk to the entrance of the tunnel. The tunnel itself is a mile long (I believe) and then to the end of the trail is an additional 2.5 miles of hiking. Very beautiful and serene. Highly recommend just be sure to search for the East Trailhead in your GPS if you want the shorter hike in. Lots of parking and portable bathrooms at the entrance of the trail on both sides.

Incredibly cool piece of history! The tunnel is so cool and dark, and even has miniature waterfalls inside of it. Perfect place to cool off on a hot day. Also, a flashlight or headlamp is absolutely necessary. Would go back again.

Very cool experience! It's a walk of at least 3 miles if you want to go all the way through from the parking lot on this easier trek side. It is much cooler inside the tunnel, but we didn't need jackets on a warm September day. There were little creatures on the walls and in the water along the bottom, so bring a headlamp or flashlight. There are port a potties before you go in from this entrance, but there were stink bugs who didn't bother to flick the occupied sign so be prepared to share the stall. We took our pup with his glow in the dark leash. It can be scary for little ones or dogs. Fortunately with treats for him and it not being crowded, our pup was fine.

Very unique and fun hike. Easy trail for any age with a paved path and only a slight incline.

It had interesting historical markers. BRING A FLASHLIGHT.

This is a very cool hike on a very hot day. It was about 2 miles round trip starting at the East Trailhead. This was the longest railroad tunnel in North America when it was constructed in 1849-1858. It’s wise to use the bathrooms there before starting your hike as there really aren’t any great places to pee on the side of the trail leading up to the tunnel. A flashlight is absolutely a must! I took my elderly parents who successfully navigated the Tunnel trail with walking sticks. Afterwards we went to Blue Ridge Brewery for lunch.

Bring flashlights🔦!!!!... The East side trailhead entrance has more parking....it's about a half mile walk on a gravel pathway to the tunnel(wheelchair accessible)... Once you get to the tunnel it's another mile walk to the other side of the tunnel(to the west entrance) I've heard the west side is less parking and the walk is more uphill....bring glo sticks/glo in the dark clothing,ECT!!!...😀😃the tunnel is nice and cool😎I saw people riding bikes through the tunnel and walking dogs too!

Very cool experience. Your cell phone flash light will not be enough. I was in the area for vacation, so we went to target and bought a 50,000 lumens flashlight for $23. It was worth it. For easy access, enter the east side. It's a half mile to the entrance. I highly recommend this walk.

Great trail with an interesting center feature. Really good for families - we could have easily used our wagon. The children enjoyed playing with flashlights and splashing in the water.

Fun hike. Very easy way to do a beginner trail and see some of the Blue Ridge area. Great overlooks on the roads approaching the park. Make sure you bring a flashlight. Porta-potties are available.

Highly recommend this trail. It’s about 0.6 miles from the parking lot to the entrance to the tunnel. Even if you don’t want to walk the 1-mile tunnel (definitely bring a flashlight and a jacket!), it’s worth the walk to see the entrance. Kids could make the tunnel walk if they aren’t afraid of the dark