Signs along the first 1.5 miles provide a guided nature walk. At mile 7.2, the Middle and South forks of the Holston River converge at a trestle. The elevation is 1,900 feet, the lowest on the trail. Because the railroad grade was never more than 5 percent, even going uphill is not difficult. Nevertheless, the trail is heavily used by mountain bikers who take a shuttle to the top, then ride downhill to Abingdon.
Walkers do well to stay alert for careening bicyclists to come whizzing by.
It's hard to find a bicycle trail more user-friendly than the 18 miles between Whitetop and Damascus. The Creeper Trail combines downhill coasting with spectacular mountain scenery. Rental bikes and skis are available at Abingdon and at Damascus on a seasonal basis. Bikers should ring a bell or toot a horn to alert hikers before passing. Although no facilities are available on the trail, the many access points and small towns along the way make it easy to walk sections of the trail without carrying gear.