9. Virginia Creeper Trail

Abingdon

Another terrific rails-to-trails project, the Virginia Creeper Trail spans 35 miles in southwestern Virginia. Like the High Bridge Trail, it is made of crushed limestone and is easy to walk and fairly flat. It’s named both for the slow steam engines that crept into the nearby Iron Mountains and the plant that grew near the tracks.

While the route is popular with cyclists, hikers also love the trail that winds its way through all sorts of scenery, including farmlands, fields, forests, streams, and even small towns. There are 50 wooden trestles along the trail, which add to its charm. And with several trailheads and parking lots, this is also an easily customizable hike.